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Comment by theprop | Hacker News Reader

One of the most important determiners of whether you're happy and satisfied in your job is your commute time. Happiness, job satisfaction and longevity at your job decrease significantly as your commute time extends more than 20 minutes.

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We mention that on our full article on job satisfaction:

https://80000hours.org/career-guide/job-satisfaction/

We software engineers do not need to operate heavy machinery, perform surgery, or do anything physical at all, and we even have this fine invention called "Skype". Why anybody in the profession has commute time greater than zero -- I can't understand.

Not all software engineering positions, or software engineers for that matter, would achieve their highest productivity working from home. Some might, but certainly not all. I think of it as more of a spectrum where the more you know what you need to get done and how to do it on your own, the better you are spending the day at home. And this can vary from day to day.

There are many benefits to working from home, as well as working in an office environment, but my point is that commutes will still exist for many software engineers for a long time.

For example, I routinely need the use of laboratory equipment to measure pneumatic and electrical properties of the systems under control of my software. This equipment is both expensive and in some cases dangerous.

Yes, some of the jobs are still impossible to do remotely (until telepresence robots are dramatically improved).

If you're at all extroverted you're probably happier in an office. I'm not even that extroverted but I imagine I would have left my job (my last day is Friday) much earlier if it were entirely work-from-home: those days tend to be more productive, and I get to smoke inside, but otherwise it's just lonely.

I enjoy being lonely and being able to initiate communication when I want it (and sparsely) without being interrupted.

I agree with you! Here's my thought on the likely cause:

Capital is controled by a small number of relatively old people. They give that money to companies as an investment, and tell CEOs "make sure you have managers keeping eyes on your employees in the office- no remote work."

So we are at the mercy of the interpretation of optimal business practices from "investorsl and board members"

I prefer working in an office with other people, where I can communicate directly. It has it's price, and may not make sense for everyone, but nevertheless, I don't think it's something to just shrug off.

Because there is nothing more efficient than talking face to face, in real time, with all sounds and visual cues intact.

Seeing and conversing with actual real people has something to do with it I guess.

I am looking at and talking with actual real people -- over a video call. Is there any difference?

I have quit my full-time remote job and has just taken an in-office job that pays the same AND requires a move. You could say that for me (at least at this point) working in office is a perk.

As an ultra-introvert, I really really don't want to go to the office, and I prefer working alone. Thankfully, these days I can do that and still be well paid.

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