Senior ICs are split on WFH. Managers who can code are split.
Managers who can’t code are unanimous.
It is a real issue though and the answer isn’t obvious. I tend to think that something like A16Z’s model will wind up as the end state: modest amounts of flex office space, geographically distributed, with frequent, family-friendly off sites.
Pair-programming software infrastructure will have to improve, and maintaining a hub of urban office space where Senior ICs get a COL bump to be near the young folks will probably be part of it.
It’s a new world, and there will be an adjustment, but there’s enough critical people who simply aren’t going back that it’ll be management’s job to figure it out. I imagine figuring it out well will pay commensurately well.
> but there’s enough critical people who simply aren’t going back that it’ll be management’s job to figure it out
Pendulum is swinging, my friend. With a big recession looming, companies will have all the leverage. Elon has already paved the way and other big companies will soon follow. On the other end of the spectrum, a lot of startups will be bootstrapped in this recession and a majority of startup founders want to have the initial bootstrapping team to be together[0].
[0] Based on my first hand observation working as an advisor for a VC firm.
If you try doing that remotely you need permanent surveilance with a webcam, and people get all uppity about it when that happens in their own home.
Jim sits and watches cat videos on youtube all day - is 0x plan, and will be promoted to being your boss next year.
