> Yes, some people will be more productive WFH. Some will be less productive.
Agreed. Which is why some office space is good.
> it's clear that you need a big enough office for your entire team for when they do show up
That may be true for small companies - although equally they could all just go to the same shared space. For large companies though, this is not true. A company with 1000 employees could do a poll to understand what's the max office space they might need at any one time and add a buffer on top. Alternatively, they could have policies whereby team A and B shows up on Mondays, team C and E shows up on Tuesdays etc.
> So yes, there are lots of remote jobs, but they are not being advertised in London. If you're going to live in London (one of the more expensive places) then you should be trading hard on your proximity to office not full remoteness. Being fully remote, but needing a London salary is the worst possible combination for an employer.
Yeah, that's a fair point. I do also plan on moving away from London once I have a more remote friendly role. But, yes, will have to adjust my expectations on pay.
> Product knowledge is hard to disseminate
I haven't felt that. I think the combination of documentation, and being able to video conference my teammates is equivalent to seeing them in person and having the same conversation to share knowledge.
> its hard to figure out where people lack knowledge and skills.
Wouldn't these sort of things be evident in a weekly 1:1 with manager and in conversations on a team channel etc.
> It's easy to ignore promotions or even know who wants them.
Again these are things I'd speak with my manager on a weekly basis regardless of whether we were in a room or on a call.
Overall, I feel like the latter points could be easily addressed by establishing communication mechanisms that don't rely on physical monitoring of a person.
Agreed. Which is why some office space is good.
> it's clear that you need a big enough office for your entire team for when they do show up
That may be true for small companies - although equally they could all just go to the same shared space. For large companies though, this is not true. A company with 1000 employees could do a poll to understand what's the max office space they might need at any one time and add a buffer on top. Alternatively, they could have policies whereby team A and B shows up on Mondays, team C and E shows up on Tuesdays etc.