I know this will vary a lot, so hypothetically let’s say you currently WFH/work remotely at least 3 days a week. Your commute to work takes an hour max (door to door) each way. If you were given the choice of a 4 day week working onsite, or a 5 day week WFH (or as many days as you’d like) for the same pay, which would you choose?
4 days on-site, same pay, same 40 hours per week? No. I don’t work 10hrs a day + 2hrs of driving. So 5 days remote in this case!
4 days on-site, same pay, 32 hours per week? Sure, why not? I’ll use the driving time with audio books or reading during a train commute.
Sorry, that wasn’t very clear. 32 hours a week in the office (plus ~8 hours a week commuting time) or 40 hours a week WFH for the same pay.
I think I’m the long run, if those were the only 2 options (unlikely) employers wins with the 4 day and employees win with the wfm. Why? Short term, employers will say it’s the same pay but eventually after a few reviews, they will claw back the raises citing the reduced work hours.
It’s just common sense if you put yourself in hr shoes reviewing the compensation numbers.
“claw back the raises”??
What? How? At least in my country an employer cannot unilaterally worsen a contract for the employee. You don’t have to agree to less pay and they’ll be bound by the original agreement. Sure an employer could “fire and rehire” you, but you also don’t have to agree to the rehiring.
If they do that you’ll get full unemployment, probably some severance and they are instantly a worker short.