Some researchers claim that we don’t need an office for these interactions, which can be simulated with digital meetups or offsite events. But even with new technology, humans are still humans. How we connect, form relationships, and collaborate has not changed that much; these interactions come from sustained and regular contact, often in informal settings. The proximity research illustrates why working together, in person, on a regular schedule is so important, no matter how far technology advances.

This explains why bosses have been desperate to get employees back into the office. Earlier this year, JP Morgan CEO Jamie Dimon said of remote work, “It doesn’t work for young kids or spontaneity or management.” Other bank CEOs have also pushed to return to five-day in-office work weeks. The federal government is finally forcing its workers back to the office. …

Longer term, while technology may enable remote work, it also makes jobs less secure. As artificial intelligence infiltrates the workplace and remote screen work improves technologically, it will be easier to hire jobseekers from other countries, who are typically much cheaper. A workers’ value under these conditions will likely be based in being able to do something that AI, or someone thousands of miles away, cannot—offer a real human interaction. This will require being in the office.

We will not go back completely to pre-pandemic work habits. Working from home when it is necessary—say, to care for a sick child or to manage one’s own illness—will probably be more common. Work-from-home also offers more and better possibilities for contract workers and those working part-time as part of their transition into retirement—more options, more flexible work. But if you seek success in your company or institution, you’ll be in the office most days of the week.

[In response to the thread yesterday, reader John Keck offered a counterpoint based on safety:

If Jamie Dimon, city govts, etc., want workers to return to the office, they'd better make downtowns at least safe. I'm not holding my breath.

— John Keck (@loneloc02) June 8, 2023

I think this is a *big* part of the reluctance to return to offices in urban cores. That will force these corporations to find office space outside of cities that refuse to enforce the law and fully prosecute criminals, or at least place significant pressure on them to do so. — Ed]