How to solve remote work’s biggest problem

Despite employers’ best efforts to mandate a full-time return to the office, new research suggests there’s no returning to our pre-pandemic rates of in-person work. But while the perks of WFH are obvious enough (commute-time saved; elastic waistbands aplenty), there are real drawbacks to a lack of facetime with colleagues. The solutions, Derek Thompson writes , aren’t necessarily as clear-cut as returning to the office. Today’s newsletter brings you Atlantic stories about the pros and pitfalls of remote and hybrid work, and how to navigate them.?

• “How to Solve Remote Work’s Biggest Problem ,” by Derek Thompson. Companies need a new kind of middle manager: the synchronizer.
• “When Working from Home Doesn’t Work ,” by Jerry Useem. IBM pioneered telecommuting. Now it wants people back in the office.
• “Winners and Losers of the Work-From-Home Revolution ,” by Derek Thompson. High-income workers at highly profitable companies will benefit greatly. Downtown landlords won’t.

It’s worth noting that return-to-office resistance isn’t unique to American workers. Around the world, companies are adapting accordingly:

• “How the rest of the world is doing RTO, ” by Yasmeen Serhan. Countries differ in their norms, but office workers everywhere want the same thing: flexibility.

Finally, writer Ian Bogost argues his case for why in-person might ultimately prevail, anyway:?

• “Hybrid Work Is Doomed ,” by Ian Bogost. Office workers work in offices, for better or for worse.

Thanks for reading!?

—?Kelli María Korducki

Last Word?

“Unfortunate that we are now focused on dealing with work rather than high quality work. Very telling about today’s job force and the economy. This article resonates.” — Dani Greene, responding on LinkedIn to “How to care less about work .”

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