As I read about another "everyone back in office every day" mandate, I could not help but think of discussions, not that long ago, about the power of Zoom to change working environments, permanently. I could not help but think of the empty parking lots at the train station, month after month after month. I could not help but think of the plummeting real estate values for office spaces or the demise of "We Work" pop-up places for start-ups. I could not help but think about the moms and dads in shorts and Crocs, coffee mugs in hand, lazily walking their children into school long after the pandemic.
I could not help but think of my own grad students in Texas, Manhattan, Queens, and Upstate New York who join together every week. Zoom has provided a means to a master's degree while working; however, I could not help but think this will change, like everything else, someday soon.
While I hope to never experience the isolation and loss of life we all felt five years ago, there are at least a few people longing for the work-from-home-in-sweats-walk-your-dog-midday vestiges of the pandemic era!
3 comments:
Your post reminds me of the importance of balance. Whether we like it or not, socialization and community are needed for quality living.
Anita, you have managed to identify so many issues on both sides of the working from hom e or office question. Thank you for bringing up both sides. Life is complicated (folded together) and it shouldn't be something just defined by black and white thinking.
Having retired before the pandemic, I never had the work from home experience. However, as president of our retired school employees organization, I held many zoom meetings during that time. Although it was nice conducting the meetings from home, I did miss seeing everyone. Some just refused to do zoom. Things have changed because of the pandemic and I think aspects of the work from home trend will continue. arjeha
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