I've worked 100% remote since 2015, so well before the pandemic. Last year, me and two friends who also work remotely decided to get an office together. It's a nice corner office in a good location, more or less equidistant to our individual homes. Our commute is 10-20 min on foot/bike depending on who you ask, and we've decorated the office with nice furniture, good sound etc.
We're not always there at the same time, the three of us. If the weather is inclement or someone needs to care for their child we just don't show. We've got a texting group to let each other know, but not because anyone needs to know but because we chose to keep each other informed.
It all feels very grown up and official, and it's very nice because it's ours. None of us has to ask a pointy haired boss for permission to buy a wine cooler or a new lamp, or whatever, we just do it. Sometimes we'll argue things but it's always chill. Like this week we've been going back and forth about where to place our new HomePod speakers. We just try it till we find a spot.
It helps that we're three dudes who've been friends for a good 20 years at this point. We all like working remotely, but none of us like being cooped up at home all the time.
The cost of the office space is comparable to any other office space, except for the furniture which is decidedly more high end. We're independent contractors so we've each sprung for whatever furniture we wanted to have.
I feel like this is the ultimate compromise, it works super well for us. Not saying it works for everyone, but I could totally see a world in where employees pick whatever works for them, and employers foot the bill for reasonable expenses like the space, but maybe not for the fancy couch, I dunno.
Anyway, my point with sharing this story is that as much as I love our office, I couldn't have my own room. I can't function in a completely private space. I know others can, and I respect that, but I just can't. But open plan doesn't work for me either, there's a point where it becomes too much. I feel like an office with 2-4 people who are respectful with one another is just right for me.
And maybe that's it, maybe not everyone fits the same mold, so maybe the future of a good working space is choose your own adventure? Not that it's without its challenges, it took us some 6 months or so to find the right spot!
That sounds delightful! I started my current role 100% remote in 2020 but missed being around people. 3 days per week in the office in 2021 was awesome, and there were typically only a handful of people in the open office environment with low cube walls. In 2022 groups started coming back consistently, with Wednesdays being most loud.
Noise canceling headphones are a must. I can hear everything from all around and it's overwhelming at times.
In my prior role I shared a huge office with 2 other people, and later had a large office to myself with a big U shaped desk, small circle table and chairs, a whiteboard, and coworkers right across the hall. It was a great work environment.
this was the way my small business operated. except we all worked for the company, of course. it's pretty great to just outfit the office how you see fit. i had a couch in my office and would just take naps whenever the hell i wanted.
it was awesome for years until they decided to triple our rent when our 5 year lease ended. this was in 2016. we transitioned successfully to wfh. i have absolutely no sympathy for the hurting CRE business these days, they dug their own grave through an insane amount of greed brought on by super favorable tax treatments.
i still take naps on my couch though, so that hasn't changed.
We're not always there at the same time, the three of us. If the weather is inclement or someone needs to care for their child we just don't show. We've got a texting group to let each other know, but not because anyone needs to know but because we chose to keep each other informed.
It all feels very grown up and official, and it's very nice because it's ours. None of us has to ask a pointy haired boss for permission to buy a wine cooler or a new lamp, or whatever, we just do it. Sometimes we'll argue things but it's always chill. Like this week we've been going back and forth about where to place our new HomePod speakers. We just try it till we find a spot.
It helps that we're three dudes who've been friends for a good 20 years at this point. We all like working remotely, but none of us like being cooped up at home all the time.
The cost of the office space is comparable to any other office space, except for the furniture which is decidedly more high end. We're independent contractors so we've each sprung for whatever furniture we wanted to have.
I feel like this is the ultimate compromise, it works super well for us. Not saying it works for everyone, but I could totally see a world in where employees pick whatever works for them, and employers foot the bill for reasonable expenses like the space, but maybe not for the fancy couch, I dunno.
Anyway, my point with sharing this story is that as much as I love our office, I couldn't have my own room. I can't function in a completely private space. I know others can, and I respect that, but I just can't. But open plan doesn't work for me either, there's a point where it becomes too much. I feel like an office with 2-4 people who are respectful with one another is just right for me.
And maybe that's it, maybe not everyone fits the same mold, so maybe the future of a good working space is choose your own adventure? Not that it's without its challenges, it took us some 6 months or so to find the right spot!