These studies show that in some unusual circumstances a WFH arrangement might be neutral or somewhat positive. However, I do not agree that these instances are representative of most work done from home Therefore the conclusion that they say much about typical situations is dubious. To achieve an acceptable result, these workplaces have work that requires little interaction with co-workers, little supervision, and routine clerical work. They also require a reliable measure of both quality and quantity of work. The later is rare in most jobs. The measures of quality and quantity in the sample cases might suffice in routine clerical work when each unit of work is uniform and each unit can be verified. The cases that Musk has in mind do not fit these criteria.
I'm not sure if I agree with the unusual circumstances description. The benefit mentioned in the context of working in office is team interaction and learning from others. In the police study, new workers go through in an office period before they can work from home. However, it appears that it not the physical office space that is needed but active team interaction/learning from each other. This does not, in my opinion, require being in a physical office. Collaboration can be done in other spaces - one off office rentals, off-sites etc.
The studies also show us clear benefits of people being able to have a 'private' space to concentrate which current offices do not offer to workers (open office plans are noisy and distracting by construction). Thus, my conclusion of hybrid working arrangements being a default would be better for firms. Working on figuring out how to balance 'concentration' and 'team work' should be the goal - the current office culture does not do this.
I actually agree that much team interaction can be achieved with remote locations. I’ve worked on teams with distant members successfully. Motivated profession-minded workers can make this work satisfactorily. However, I doubt this is the case in a great number of workplaces, especially in federal government jobs. The typical local Social Security office, for example, will include some independently motivated workers but too many who abuse to opportunity. Poor management and metrics result in enormous inefficiency and much abuse. Again, my experience.
These studies show that in some unusual circumstances a WFH arrangement might be neutral or somewhat positive. However, I do not agree that these instances are representative of most work done from home Therefore the conclusion that they say much about typical situations is dubious. To achieve an acceptable result, these workplaces have work that requires little interaction with co-workers, little supervision, and routine clerical work. They also require a reliable measure of both quality and quantity of work. The later is rare in most jobs. The measures of quality and quantity in the sample cases might suffice in routine clerical work when each unit of work is uniform and each unit can be verified. The cases that Musk has in mind do not fit these criteria.
I'm not sure if I agree with the unusual circumstances description. The benefit mentioned in the context of working in office is team interaction and learning from others. In the police study, new workers go through in an office period before they can work from home. However, it appears that it not the physical office space that is needed but active team interaction/learning from each other. This does not, in my opinion, require being in a physical office. Collaboration can be done in other spaces - one off office rentals, off-sites etc.
The studies also show us clear benefits of people being able to have a 'private' space to concentrate which current offices do not offer to workers (open office plans are noisy and distracting by construction). Thus, my conclusion of hybrid working arrangements being a default would be better for firms. Working on figuring out how to balance 'concentration' and 'team work' should be the goal - the current office culture does not do this.
Musk is just being Luddite about the new office technology. Not surprising he's a kind of old guy in a new and strange environment.
I actually agree that much team interaction can be achieved with remote locations. I’ve worked on teams with distant members successfully. Motivated profession-minded workers can make this work satisfactorily. However, I doubt this is the case in a great number of workplaces, especially in federal government jobs. The typical local Social Security office, for example, will include some independently motivated workers but too many who abuse to opportunity. Poor management and metrics result in enormous inefficiency and much abuse. Again, my experience.