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The “space ship” campus is not nice to work in. I was working at Apple when it was built - nobody wanted to move there (other than execs) because it was open-office plan whereas most full time employees in other campuses in Cupertino all had individual offices.

Also, if you significantly above average contributor you pretty much can dictate when and where you work even before the pandemic (with some common sense limits). A famous example - intel based mac were initially developed by someone working remotely.

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> Also, if you significantly above average contributor you pretty much can dictate when and where you work even before the pandemic (with some common sense limits).

Yup. I’ve been mostly remote most of my career for this reason. I’ve only once had to justify it beyond my contribution once (got a doctor’s note stating that the noise in an office would make me less productive, which is true). It was no surprise that I didn’t want to keep working there for other reasons not so long after.

The doctor's note is fucking brilliant, and probably would have saved me a few thousand headaches.

For what it’s worth (to you and anyone else reading) I was able to obtain that note because I have an ADHD diagnosis and my doctor understood (upon explanation) that I have pretty severe cognitive difficulties under sensory stress-particularly auditory overstimulation.

This wasn’t meant as a comment saying I got a doctor’s note casually (not that I think you’re suggesting that interpretation, I’m just realizing it’s important to clarify). I got it because I was sincerely concerned about the cognitive impact going into the office as demanded would have on me and my work.

If you have a similar response to sensory stimulation, I highly recommend looking into it! I’m coming from the perspective of it being common with ADHD and ASD, which aren’t the only bases for it; if you mean headaches literally, do yourself a favor and talk to your doc about why sound or any other sensory issue might be affecting you that way.

Turns out, I do too, so I appreciate the follow up. For me what really did it (in my most recent attempt at holding a job) was the sound of my colleagues eating at their desk.

Yup that’s a common one! For me it’s usually certain vocal ranges, and others’ subconscious habits like tapping their feet.

If I had to guess, that sounds an awful lot like hyperacusis. Which is more common in ADHD, along with auditory processing disorder and potentially even tinnitus.

For me, I'd lean more toward Misophonia, though they have very similar descriptions. The sound doesn't cause pain, just intense emotional reactions.

> nobody wanted to move there (other than execs) because it was open-office plan whereas most full time employees in other campuses in Cupertino all had individual offices.

Yuck. I have a cube at my office and even though it has an open "door" space, it has high walls and just that little bit of privacy is so nice.

I think this idea of a default shitty working experience for everyone, and then only if you manage to overcome that and contribute more you get a quiet space, is ridiculous.

Apple Park is nice for the amenities but the open plan does indeed suck. Still open plan at Apple Park is still a step up from my previous open plan office in Sunnyvale. Same shitty open plan but worse amenities.

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