Remote working - the future?

ELM327

tooth*grinder wrote: »

not to mention the GDPR and the whole exporting of EU data to places that don't have a comparable level of data security.

A lot of that is solved by VPN and VMs that dont leave EU

hello2020

hello2020 wrote: »

wonder what will now stop these "REMOTE" jobs from being outsourced to cheaper countries like India or Philippines!!

This has been the case for years. Covid didn't introduce this concept.

tooth*grinder

ELM327 wrote: »

A lot of that is solved by VPN and VMs that dont leave EU

That's not going to fly with the GDPR I don't believe.
Plus vpn'ing to a VM? from India (for arguments sakes) ?
That'll do wonders for your productivity and sanity.

hello2020

hello2020 wrote: »

wonder what will now stop these "REMOTE" jobs from being outsourced to cheaper countries like India or Philippines!!

If the only thing saving your job is you sitting at a desk in an office, then your job is ripe for culling

Young_gunner

is anyone planning a return to office in the coming weeks / months?

has anyone been able to secure a remote arrangement in future?

Furze99

He who pays the piper, calls the tune. So it'll come down to differing employment sectors, the practicalities of it and whatever tune the owners want to play.

piplip87

I have no intention of going back to an office. There is absolutely no need for it in my current role. Saving 400 quid a month in transportation costs so will have no problem looking for another role with less money to stay remote.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117807962#Comment_117807962

No. Employable workers now have the option of jumping ship and joining a company who offers the flexibility they desire.

Dinosaur companies are welcome to employ those who are less attractive as employees.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117808139#Comment_117808139

Exactly this.

I'll jump ship at a moments notice if they look to force me to change my 100% remote status.

I don't plan on working onsite for the rest of my career

Young_gunner

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117808712#Comment_117808712

I would very contentedly wfh for the rest of my career - it's a game changer in terms of quality of life, and work does not suffer in the slightest - quite the opposite.

still some old fashioned firms trying to deny the pace of change though, which is causing anxiety

Mc Love

I'm part of wave one in the company I work for, they've cancelled the 2nd wave because of the rise in cases but I am happy to go into the office two days a week and work the rest remotely. Could I work remotely full time, yes quite happily but this hybrid arrangement is really good as it helps break up the week, see some colleagues and still get work done as not everyone is back in the office.

Hybrid is the way forward.

Its only a matter of time until we have 4 day work weeks ;)

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117810257#Comment_117810257

While I understand that hybrid suits some people in terms of the social aspect, to be honest, I think hybrid is the worst of all options if your role can be done 100% remotely.

1. You are forced to commute for x days for no real reason
2. You lose the benefits of WFH for the days you are onsite again for no real reason
3. You are out of pocket on the commuting costs
4. You are (pandemic) putting yourself and others at risk of contracting covid for no good reason
5. Etc etc etc

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117810803#Comment_117810803

WFH offers the opportunity to relocate anywhere. Hybrid means you have to remain close to your work site.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117810811#Comment_117810811

Exactly

Myself and the wife were trying to buy for years in Tuam, Athenry, Gort, to stay a reasonable commute away from Galway.

Now I'm 100% wfh, we've just bought a far better place in Athlone for far less.

No way we would have done that if we had to do ANY commuting

Mrs OBumble

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117810811#Comment_117810811

Maybe.

A recently advertised job in EA Games ( so not an old fashioned company) said something like:

Agreement to long term WFH will require you to relocate to within 50 miles of our Galway or <<American city>> offices, before starting work.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117811020#Comment_117811020

Good thing I'm not forced to work there then. My company is allowing me to work anywhere I like.

Like I said, employees seeking flexibility will find it.

The Student

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117810811#Comment_117810811

As it stands relocation within the same country is theoretically possible in respect of employment law and tax implications. Remote working in another jurisdiction is another story completely. Unless you can harmonise employment law and tax implications in all jurisdictions, this will not happen for employees. Should people wish to become self employed/contractor then this would not be an issue.

For those who's skills are in demand they will be able to dictate to a large degree their working conditions in terms of location (special arrangements will be made for these people). In the general workforce these numbers would be in the extreme minority probably less than 20% of this type of worker.

For the majority of people it will be the companies who ultimately decide where and how people work. For those companies who are unwilling to offer flexibility to their staff these companies will ultimately lose the best of their staff.

There are IT security issues for small firms and working from home. Some small firms don't have the network security capabilities to allow remote working full time. Obviously this may change in time but I don't personally see it as a priority at the moment. Even from a cultural perspective we have this need to be "seen in the office" and this is enough to show we are working.

Certainly the pandemic will improve the work like balance of some people (and wont make it any worse than it was pre pandemic for others) I think some people may be in for a shock post pandemic (eg those who would like either full time working from home or a hybrid model) if their employers want them back full time in the office.

People will need to make some decisions for their future work arrangements if this includes securing alternative employment which includes a better work like balance.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117811190#Comment_117811190

It depends on whether your employer is domiciled in your country of choice. I have seen colleagues already move country because of this.

PS: There is no post pandemic coming. Coronavirus is never going away.

Sunny Disposition

Went to Belfast to physically meet employees on Wednesday. They seem to be getting on fine with the WFH, no doubt there are one or two who would rather be in an office, but there's definitely more happier with the current situation. I'm advising them to put some priority on socialising, sport, entertainment etc, now that they won't get any interaction through work. There certainly has been no impact on productivity, and the saving in rent is brilliant.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117811289#Comment_117811289

I have a theory that most of those opposed to WFH are people in unhappy relationships/marriages that they can't get out of and working in the office is their escape. Working from home must be a nightmare if you can't stand your partner and/or kids.

Fair enough, if that's the case!

Sunny Disposition

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117811304#Comment_117811304

Ah, I think that's a bit unfair. Some people just liked going some place different to home, no doubt many of us made friends with work colleagues.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117811360#Comment_117811360

Ah, it's just a theory. I can understand why some people like the office. I can also understand why some people don't.

The Student

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117811213#Comment_117811213

Yeah regarding having a presence in another jurisdiction you can be employed in the company in that jurisdiction.

The majority of employers in Ireland don't have offices in other jurisdictions.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117811384#Comment_117811384

It depends on the sector, I suppose. Some sectors are dominated by multinational companies.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117810811#Comment_117810811

It massively expands the distance from the office at which you can live. 2 days a week in the office means one night in a friend's spare room for a bit of cash in hand. And one long drive in and one back out. Listening to an interesting podcast.

I used to have to be in Dublin city but have now sorted a place in West Sligo. 2.5 hour drive in and back once week, with an overnight. And have arranged my regular place to stay. I would miss the office if it were to disappear and I never went back. This is the perfect arrangement for me.

Hybrid gives you the flexibility to work out something that really suits

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117811690#Comment_117811690

What you're describing is my idea of a nightmare.

Good luck with it, if you enjoy it.

BrianD3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117811304#Comment_117811304

That would not surprise me. I know of at least one person who could and probably should retire but admitted he wants to stay working in the office as long as possible to stay away from the wife.

The office is many people's main social outlet, especially so for those who do very little work. A place to show off your new clothes and hairdo, chat, bitch, drink tea and avail of free biscuits, teabags, heat, toilet roll and internet.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117811695#Comment_117811695

I enjoy having a beach on one side and the mountains on the other for 5 days in a week, yes. Like I said, everyone can use the flexibility to design the situation that works best for them.

NuttyMcNutty

What will they do with all the office space?, they won't keep a place going if there is not enough people to justify it. I refused to work from home as it doesn't suit me so they got me a desk in some other office block, fair enough it just beside where I live. I'd hate to be a junior programmer having to work from home as the office and colleagues is were you learn most, can't be calling them on teams every time you are stuck, be a pain in the arse for everyone.

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/117812059#Comment_117812059

Not really, it's the same as calling to someone's desk

This is what some are struggling to understand, when you go fully remote it just changes the method by which you interact with colleagues, it doesn't stop the interaction.