Is the Hybrid-Remote Office Model Even a Good Idea?

Our post-pandemic working lives could become a ‘meh’ experience, where neither in-office or at-home truly shine

Ted Bauer
Index

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Staff in a standing meeting at an office, socially distanced and wearing masks. About half of the staff are present compared to the number of desks available.
Photo: Luis Alvarez/DigitalVision/Getty Images

Here’s some good news: After a 13-month span that went from: “This is another seasonal flu, it’ll be over in two weeks” to “July is the new normal for work re-entry!” to “Okay, October 2020 is the build back better date!” to “Hmm, 2021 seems more realistic…” we’re now, finally, seeing enough progress in the rate of vaccinations and an overall reduction in Covid-19 rates that the concept of a “new work normal” actually seems within reach. The exact date will vary by company, industry, and geographic distribution of offices, but after a year of postulating about what exactly a return to work might look like, we’re close enough that we can start chasing the idea more concretely.

What’s out there that seems right and wrong?

The elephant in the room: one sector of commercial real estate

There has been a lot of hand-wringing about the future of commercial real estate since the beginning of Covid, with a recent New York Times deep dive painting a grim picture:

According to Moody’s, the credit rating firm, commercial real estate values are…

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Index
Index

Published in Index

Index is a former publication from Medium about work. Currently inactive and not taking submissions.

Ted Bauer
Ted Bauer

Written by Ted Bauer

I write about a lot of different topics, from work to masculinity to relationships and social dynamics, I.e. modern friendship. Pleasure to be here.

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