The Hybrid Worker Malaise

The era of hybrid work has spawned a new kind of office culture - one that has left many workers less connected and less happy than they have ever been.
Emma Goldberg, a business reporter covering workplace culture for The Times, explains how mixing remote and office work has created a malaise, as workers confront new challenges and navigate uncertainty, and employers engage in a wave of experiments.
Guest: Emma Goldberg (www.nytimes.com/by/emma-goldb...) , a business reporter for The New York Times.
Background reading:
• Emma Goldberg reflects on her evolving beat (www.nytimes.com/2023/10/08/in...) as tens of thousands of employees return to the office.
• From March: Office Mandates. Pickleball. Beer. What will make hybrid work stick? (www.nytimes.com/2023/03/02/bu...)
For more information on today’s episode, visit nytimes.com/thedaily (nytimes.com/thedaily?smid=pc-t...) . Transcripts of each episode will be made available by the next workday.

[@amygirl9534]

There may be some personality correlates to who prefers working from home an who doesn’t. Extraverts are usually the managers and bosses, of course they have a different communication style. Introverts have always been passed over for promotions even in the office. It’s the same personality clashes playing out, now it’s just clearer who fits into what camp. Also I think employers should have to pay for transportation if they want people in the office so bad.

[@acastsaca]

RTO and hybrid is silly/stupid for companies that do not need everyday in person contact. Every worker should unionize

[@WriteInAaronBushnell]

Not putting on pants for less than 100kyr

[@winwithwebbllc]

Great topic for discussion. The research and stats are insightful and of course there's not a cookie cutter approach here. I think it starts with WHO as in the LEADER, not the company you work for. For example my direct leader has a weekly in-person huddle where we all get to collaborate, connect and talk. That leader also sets the tone for cross-departmental collaboration, unique in-person events for team building and anything else that would be more beneficial to attend live vs virtual. I personally value the flexibility, independent work structure and ability to have both. It doesn't hurt as an extravert I schedule my own virtual networking connections too 😉

[@lstefanucci880]

I recall a similar article a couple of years ago about people experiencing malaise from working from home full-time.

[@fromcolorado3367]

I love working from home, but I do feel badly for people who have to work in person. I hope that someday we'll pay those who have to be in person more -- A LOT MORE! They have to pay for their car and they can't get things done on the side -- like laundry, walk the dog, meal prep, etc. I'd take a 30% decrease in pay to stay WFH -- it's worth that much to me, and I barely earn the median income even with a master's degree.

[@arnoldwilson5377]

Nobody feels this malaise...

[@TonySaysHello]

Just started this video, but I hope it's not about how sad we are that we're not going to an office everyday. That's a damn lie. I love being home in sweatpants.

[@J5L5M6]

Yeah, you're not exactly speaking for all of us...

[@TonySaysHello]

@@J5L5M6 so in your opinion why are businesses having trouble bringing people back to the office?

[@J5L5M6]

@@TonySaysHello Per my comment, I may only speak for a select few, but your response makes clear the issue at hand. I've worked in tech sector marketing for 15 years. My job, by definition can be performed remotely. It's done better when one can stroll around physically and have a nuanced conversation with colleagues from pertinent lines of the business. The thing is, businesses don't have trouble. per se, bringing teams back into an office, they aren't even trying. For the most part, in my industry they love remote systems for the cost benefits. my point is simply that some of us need an office environment to deliver great work. Kudos to you if you don't fall into that category (great work or need) but I'm not comfortable just turning in a request. I've enjoyed my career by being the cat that found valuable insights, which move the needle. Not just delivering an ad campaign.

[@TonySaysHello]

@@J5L5M6 You're right. I've got 20 years in IT, and some of my most valuable lessons have only happened by being in the same room as people smarter than me. I am a little concerned about what lessons younger generations are missing out on with remote work. There is real value in being in person. Thank you for this civil conversation. Don't want to contribute to internet arguing.

[@J5L5M6]

@@TonySaysHello likewise and agreed!

[@emberrayne8987]

The older, pre-net people running things are less capable of developing digital relationships than their junior cohort. They are less capable of growth and change than the people they lead, and they should begin to retire and let tech continue to advance.

[@davidmiller11723]

Nobody wants to work in an office over home!! Anyone that says otherwise are just the owners that have their own schedule anyway

[@otangclan]

Let workers choose if they want to be hybrid or remote. But pay the hybrid people more and make it clear they have better chances of career advancement as well.

[@jackoflava]

As a professional driver I'm simply baffled by this entire subject. Does any of this apply to the vast majority of workers who dont make high six-figure salaries and "collaborate" with their "team"?

[@bilfleming9036]

OMG the vocal fry!!!!😂

[@matthewswartz938]

BS, who paid to produce this propaganda. Working from home has made me infinitely happier, and given me a way better work/life balance. Working in a box for 4 hours? Sounds like a blast, enjoy.

[@ili626]

Keep in mind: This episode is about the most privileged people in the world

[@AsdrubaleRossi]

When possible, hybrid is just the best way: much better than fully remote and fully in the office. The tip to make it work is to have office days for each team, and try to coordinate with other teams that you work closely to. As a manager, you should know that trying to force people to be at the office every day pushes the best people away, and leaves you with only those who don't have a choice, or lack any kind of proactivity to find one.