Thread by @BusinessInsider

Stanford economics professor Nick Bloom spoke at a TEDx event in 2017 and explained how working from home can change the world. 🏠👩‍💻

But a year after the #COVID19 pandemic forced many into doing just that, Bloom now warns of imminent turmoil. businessinsider.com/wfh-expert-eco…

Bloom has led studies on the work from home life years before the working from home surge.

Post-pandemic life has major companies like Microsoft, Google, and Facebook reaching out to Bloom to help with solutions to their employee's questions. businessinsider.com/wfh-expert-eco…

From the beginning, Bloom has recommended that companies adopt a partial work from home policy: 1-3 days at home and the rest of the week in the office.

He's urged companies to resist offering the unlimited freedom that employees have come to expect. businessinsider.com/wfh-expert-eco…

Even with this hybrid model, it can still cause problems for employees and employers.

Bloom realized that people wouldn't be guaranteed time together with their collaborators if they were free to choose their schedule.
businessinsider.com/wfh-expert-eco…

Bloom says teams being split would create an awkward experience for all those physically and virtually attending, defeating the purpose of employees actually being in the office.

Bloom's advice:

"Set one policy for everyone. Don't let people choose." businessinsider.com/wfh-expert-eco…

Microsoft has come pretty close to Bloom's recommendation requiring employees to split their time. On the other hand Spotify has given employees the freedom to pick their own schedules.

If Bloom is right, companies should expect some turbulence ahead. businessinsider.com/wfh-expert-eco…

With companies implementing a pick-your-own schedule, women with young kids could be adversely affected.

While they might be grateful to work from home, they can possibly find themselves out-promoted by their more office-bound male colleagues years later. businessinsider.com/wfh-expert-eco…

New and younger employees could struggle without the guaranteed face time with their managers and more experienced colleagues, as they already have in the pandemic. With fewer impromptu conversations in the hallways, innovation might slow down the road. businessinsider.com/wfh-expert-eco…

Companies that might listen to Bloom, and create a hybrid policy, shouldn't expect a smooth transition.

Employees might complain and may even leave for competitors with better arrangements.

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