State of the Market

[oliverson]

I worked in London in my mid 20s and had a ball. Funnily enough as I got older I coped with the commute a lot better (quite possibly linked with reduction in alcohol intake).

Once had a Top Gear Special style race with a contractor friend to Gordons Wine Bar at Embankment after work. I was working next to the Tower of London and he was down Canary Wharf. My mode of transport was the tube system and his was the Clipper boat up the Thames. Loser buys the drinks.

Guess who won? Him, kind of.

When I arrived he was there waiting for his drink but green around the gills. Turns out the Thames was pretty rough that day. Lol.

[gables]

I worked in London in my mid 20s and had a ball. Funnily enough as I got older I coped with the commute a lot better (quite possibly linked with reduction in alcohol intake).

Yep back in the day (89-97) when I worked and lived in London it was fantastic going into the office. Worked and drank (lunchtime included, not every lunchtime I might add) with a tight team, we attended each other's weddings, actually enjoyed the commute on the tube. This was my first employment after graduating and tbh learnt a lot by being in the office, I doubt it's the best start for the youngsters wfh all the time. That's if they do, I know my lad and fiance go into the office a couple of times a week.

[SchumiStars]

I remember interviewing during 2000. And I was literally walking around central London in a suit and brief case, getting offers from everywhere I went.

It was such an introduction to London that I never left 25yrs later.

The buzz you get walking through Waterloo, with everyone else, it makes you feel like something else.

And that is a key part, the enthusiasm, the motivation to want to work for your company and to help them and yourselves.

All of this has been lost post COVID and there is little wonder why companies are holding back on recruitment as everyone wants to get paid large for sitting at home doing nothing.

I have always stressed that working in a office is key to productivity.for the company and for the individual.

Why would you want to sit at home when we could working in one of the best cities in the world?!

[GJABS]

I have always stressed that working in a office is key to productivity.for the company and for the individual.

Why would you want to sit at home when we could working in one of the best cities in the world?!

It depends on the individual.
I'm autistic, and find trying to do coding in an open-plan office is nigh-on impossible because I can't think when other people are talking.
In my last contract I spent half my time desk-hopping when I was in the office to try to get away from people talking.

[willendure]

It depends on the individual.
I'm autistic, and find trying to do coding in an open-plan office is nigh-on impossible because I can't think when other people are talking.
In my last contract I spent half my time desk-hopping when I was in the office to try to get away from people talking.

Yup. I like a balance. Go to the office for meetings and figuring out what needs to be done and not going insane being on your own all the time. WFH to have some peace and quiet to get things done.