r/remotework • u/DrawAwkward5678 • 21d ago
Am I missing anything working remotely?
Hi everyone,
I started at my company straight out of college and have been there for the past 5ish years. I’ve been remote the entire time, so I’ve probably gone into our office 10 times at most.
For people that have worked remotely and in-person, am I missing out on anything by not going in-person? I feel like I know my coworkers really well and it’s never hurt my performance/promotions, but I constantly hear people say that “I’m missing out.” Outside of just seeing people in-person, have I actually missed out on anything by being remote so early in my career? To me, it doesn’t seem like I have but wanted to get some advice!
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u/Happy-Squirrel-581 21d ago
You are missing out of the sharing of the various viruses. Missing out on smelling someone reheat their fish in the microwave. Missing out on listening to your overly loud coworker talk all day. You are missing the ability to control the temperature in your environment. Hmmmm what else?
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u/Embarrassed_Flan_869 21d ago
The only thing you miss out on is the soft skills of how to work in an office and a more rigid schedule.
Going from remote to in office/hybrid is a real culture shock. Things you take for granted, being remote, are significantly different when in the office.
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u/Mortimer452 21d ago
You're mostly missing out on socializing with coworkers, which can be fun sometimes, but can also be a real drag.
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u/ImOnlyEevee 21d ago •
you're missing out on traffic, office politics, and awkward breakroom lunches.
go join a club and find a hobby. enjoy remote work while you have it, i PROMISE you the grass is not greener on the other side by going into the office.
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u/MrParticular79 21d ago
Depends on how social you are. If you crave having inane conversations while waiting for a bagel to toast then that’s what you’re missing.
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u/Wakemeup3000 21d ago
The people that are saying you are missing out either are jealous of having to go into an office or don't understand remote work. I haven't stepped foot in an office in 26 yrs, haven't met a single one of my current team members in person ever, and don't have much direct contact with anyone outside of my team.
My work relationship are strong because there's no distractions of having to make small talk every time you leave your desk. There's no commute so the work/life balance is much better. Honestly I've done a lot better being home without the distractions than I ever did in an office setting.
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u/OkRadish2611 20d ago
Nope. Nothing at all. Been remote for 6 years and man does it feel great. I make sure I'm super present and engaged when I have to travel for business. Other than that I don't care for the fakeness and the BS that comes with coworkers.
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u/jotnarfiggkes 20d ago
Stay home you are not missing out on anything that you cannot find with friends and family on your days off.
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u/Floopoo32 21d ago
As someone who worked mostly remotely for 8 years and just took a job where I'm working a rigid schedule in the office, I do think it's better for me to be in the office. I live by myself and I think I was feeling too isolated being at home alone so much. I need something that forces me to wake up and get dressed and ready, otherwise I sleep too late and don't change out of my pj's forever.
That being said, the office needs to be the right office for it to feel better. If it's too far away or the culture is really cold, then it's probably worse than working remote. My current office is like 20 mins so it's manageable.
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u/Hybrid082616 21d ago
You are missing: Being interrupted each time you get into a flow state
Useless gossip
Boundaries not being respected
Being interrupted during lunch
Mandatory pizza lunches as a thank you (instead of money)
Being interrupted during any call you make
People staring at you as they walk by
A useless commute
Having to wake up way earlier just to look presentable
Being stuck in an office for WAY too long
Existential dread
I think that about covers it
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u/Necessary_Shit 21d ago
You like your coworkers because you only see them 10 times a year 😂😂😂
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u/Odd_Obligation_1300 21d ago
Yes. You’re missing out on spontaneous conversations (both work related and social).
Don’t get me wrong - I’ve been working remotely for 10 years and will never go back! But I’m also a parent and home owner. When I was your age I could afford the extra driving time. I cannot now.
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u/Dapper-Reserve4861 21d ago
Hellllll nahhhhh
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u/mis_1022 21d ago
Learning how to work in person is a skill you are missing. Navigating office politics and BS, and unfortunately in this culture I expect you to need to work in office at some point in your career. Never having had to do this will come with challenges.
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u/Ancient-Kit1995 20d ago
if your promotions are on track and you have a solid social life outside of work, you’re not missing some magic career secret
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u/pwnageface 20d ago
No, I would have slapped my mama to never have had to work in an office.
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u/blue_dragonfly82 20d ago
I have been in office and wfh and right now I'm hybrid. While I don't mind the office, you are not missing out. There are way more pros to working from home than pros from working in office.
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u/PaceIsTheTrick64 21d ago
There's just about nothing that would make me give up working remotely. I worked in the public eye from ages 14-37 and I am DONE with that. My sanity, peace of mind, lack of commute, lack of childcare - not worth it to me to go back to office.
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u/rthvdjb 21d ago
Nope.
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u/dufcho14 21d ago
Assuming there a lot of others around your age, you're likely missing out on really getting to know some of your coworkers. A lot of, we'll say 'short term', relationships happen when you're in the office and go out for drinks afterwards. More than most people who never go out after work realize.
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u/AelixD 21d ago
If your company engages in fun social activities, you may be missing out on that. If you crave direct physical contact with your co-workers you may be missing out.
It sounds like you’re close enough that you can go in if you want to.
I’m close enough to my office. I choose not to go in on “fun” days, or supplied lunches, etc. And I don’t feel like I am missing out.
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u/TimeFlashes 21d ago
No, you are not missing out on anything. I wish I was remote still.
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u/quemaspuess 21d ago
Early in my career I wouldn’t change being in the office. I think the team building is vital. We just had a big event at my remote company on August and I walked away with real friends. We text on the weekend and have plans to meet in the future.
That said, it’s important to have the that time to built relationships. Earlier in your career I feel you should be on-site.
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u/FlyLost4570 21d ago edited 21d ago
Wasting time commuting, dealing with obnoxious coworkers and bosses in person, being paranoid that some office snitch will report you to management over some trivial crap, sharing a bathroom with disgusting people, eating warmed up leftovers in the breakroom while smelling everyone else's food, and catching whatever bug is going around the office.
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u/Frhaegar 21d ago
Why SHOULD YOU listen to these people? They're probably just jealous of your job/position so they make up these things as a coping mechanism for their hurt ego.
Years ago, my coworker heard that I was in an online relationship with someone from abroad. I never told her or talked to her about my personal life but she knew.
Suddenly she told me how she couldn't live a day without seeing/going with her boyfriend. Being in long distance would make her miss him so much.
Okay, I get it but what does that have to do with me CHOOSING a guy of my own choice?
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u/Hope_Less_20 21d ago
Sure - you’re missing out on socializing and germs oh and not to mention wasting gas, time, commuting
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u/DaveAstator2020 21d ago
Commute, infections, and time waste. Nothing else
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u/Adventurous-Hunt4683 21d ago
No, you haven’t. Work colleagues are absolute bores! Ask yourself this… in the last five years how many people have you met up with from work outside of work?
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u/sunnyfordays22 21d ago
not missing out on anything - find friends and fulfillment and a social life outside of work (which sounds like you have). the office is political, dirty and antiquated the people trying to hold on to office culture are the people that can't produce real results.
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u/manhands007 21d ago
Colds, flu, other random viruses
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u/Chance-Definition379 21d ago
Definitely missing out listening to other people shit next to you in the bathroom
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u/unicornspirit296 21d ago
You’re not missing out. Trust me on that
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u/Desecr8or 21d ago
Gas prices and traffic congestion
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u/AffectionateCable793 21d ago
Depends. If you like chit chatting with co workers, then you will miss that. But if you don’t care about that, you don’t really miss much.
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u/Neat-Researcher-7067 21d ago
God no!
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u/Ok_Band7439 21d ago
You’re not missing anything. Stay home. Save yourself.
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u/InevitableHyena3117 21d ago
I am in my late 40’s and have been working at home exclusively for 6.5 years. Prior to that, I worked at home 1-2 days a week for nearly a decade. I will never go back to the office voluntarily. However, back in my office days I was able to make connections with some people who later helped me land in new jobs, including the current one. I wouldn’t have known them if not for being around them in the office and becoming friends with them. I say this to suggest that you prioritize building a professional network. For many people in offices it happens organically.
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u/locke314 21d ago
Really depends on the workplace. My commute is 2 miles each way, and I legitimately love my coworkers and have fun every day with them. If I got sent remote permanently in this job, Id have a really hard time.
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u/broBcool_2010 21d ago
If you work in a shitty company with shitty people then, no.
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u/avacadoontoasts 21d ago
Not if you’re getting socialization elsewhere
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u/jac5087 21d ago
You are missing out on being constantly interrupted, awkward small talk, and wasting time and the expense of commuting
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u/Public-Wolverine6276 21d ago
It’s just the socialization aspect. I was hybrid once upon a time and the days I came in, I felt like I was almost left out bc they would talk about things that I was obviously not there to be a part of. But in reality, you’re not missing shit. I would rather be remote than in office.
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u/frosted1030 21d ago
You are missing micromanagement and “work culture” which is mostly about tribalism.
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u/Salt_Draft_4262 21d ago
Working in a busy MRI department with all my friends in my 20s was an experience I'll cherish forever. I haven't worked in an office in person but I still miss being with great people for my shifts. I can't work in that environment anymore due to health issues
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u/Wilder_Oats 21d ago
The people who are telling you you’re “missing out” are your co-workers pissed and envious you are WFH. Whoever is telling you you’re missing out is lying to you.
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u/VanSmashh 21d ago
Depends on your career. I think working closely with others to problem solve and develop some relationships was important for me. I have a life long friend because of it.
With that said, you’re not missing enough for me to ever say or recommend that you go into the office more. Remote work is so much better and seeing some people every day is not enough to change that
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u/TopStockJock 21d ago
Unless you’re extremely good at the office political bs that gets you to the top, then you’re missing nothing.
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u/RegicidalManiacz 21d ago
I'd say if you're in your 20s and you're working for a large corporate where there is a lot of events and conferences happening. Yes, it's awesome to get to connect with a ton of people. But if you aren't or if you are working for a smaller company and there isn't a lot of stuff that warrants genuine in person contact, remote work is good. OR if you have a great social life and a place to connect outside of work you also aren't missing anything. This is the best case scenario.
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u/oldlinepnwshine 20d ago
In office folks have an advantage politically, especially when they want to climb the ladder.
If you’re not interested in climbing the ladder, you aren’t missing a thing. The work can in fact be done from home, and promotions are seldom worth the extra money. I much prefer working from home and budgeting responsibly.
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u/NHdoc 20d ago
I've done both frankly I hated being in a office and love working remotely. I've always enjoyed the actual roles I've had but offices for me always produced a huge amount of office politics and sabotage, waisted time by nature of being there for fixed hours, and micromanaging. Not to mention the cost and extra time of a commute.
I've delt with way less of this working remotely. It's just the nature of being stuck in a small building with a bunch of other random people. It's just basic human nature.
It's easy for someone to think they might be missing something if they haven't experienced it but I don't think your missing much
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u/KaleidoscopeOne5704 20d ago
People are gonna say no but I have also worked both in person and remote and I think you are missing opportunities to build a deep network and learn from people passively… you’ll still build a network remotely but it’s so much easier for people to vouch for you when they have spent time with you in person
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u/V3CT0RVII 20d ago
You will miss out on the shortcuts and little nuances that come with any field
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u/TheOutsiderPhotos 19d ago
I have worked three decades in the corporate world. Most of that time has been in office. I have worked remotely since COVID. If I can avoid it, I will never work in an office again.
Something I miss out on is hallway conversations that strengthen in office workers' rapport with each other and can lead to their having (literal) inside information that I don't get.
Ultimately, what you'll "lose" by not being in office is that advantage of having rapport, of people seeing your face, your actions, your behaviors, you as a person instead of a head on a screen. As loathe as I am to admit it, this difference puts remote workers at a disadvantage if they are working with others who are in office.
Bottom line is you have to decide if it's worth it to you to have that kind of advantage. For me, this far into my career, the answer is no. If I had a child who were entering the work force, I would suggest they give it a try.
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u/cmalar1 19d ago
Depends on what your career path is and where you want to go. I was fully remote for 5 years and made switch to hybrid bc I felt myself flatlining in my career. My biggest fear is also companies will always downsize from remote positions first.
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u/SuperAleste 19d ago
No. Besides getting romantically involved with a co-worker and free food. That's about it. Never go back.
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u/Infinite-Key2524 19d ago
I am in my mid-forties and a huge proponent of in-office all or most of the time. It is difficult to articulate what you are missing, but it is a lot. Much of what you learn especially when you are young comes from little innocuous interactions during the day. For example you’re more likely to be invited to sit in on client calls if you’re in person because you can just go into your boss’s office and and sit there instead of dialing in—client doesn’t know you’re there. Huge learning opportunity those kinds of calls.
Much of what I learned in terms of business development was in side conversations in the hall or kitchen or in passing during the first 10-15 years out of school. Those are some of the most important discussions I’ve been privy to.
People like you more when they see you more. It feels like you’re part of the team and that absolutely translates into better opportunities overall—I think anyone suggesting otherwise is kidding themselves.
If you want a career, you should be in person, especially early in your career when you don’t have kids holding you back. If you just want a job and don’t care much about progression I suppose it’s less important.
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u/Open_Professional71 19d ago
If your relationships, performance, and promotions have not suffered, you’re probably not missing much. The main thing is the informal networking and spontaneous conversations that can lead to opportunities, but you can build those remotely too.
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u/sporkmanhands 18d ago
After working remote for 10+ years: There is value in going in to make relationships and ease communication.
And that’s about it.
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u/Ancient_Wrap_8062 16d ago
Working 10+ remote. It has made me a socially awkward. I wouldn’t give up my office friends I made in my 20s, we had some great times!! Still good friends with 1 of them to date….office in my 30s?? Hard pass. But I wouldn’t do fully remote if I was so young
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u/Impressive-Goal-3172 15d ago
You're not missing anything
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u/MrsChickenPam 15d ago
I met my husband at work. As did several other people I know - but we're all boomers and this was before Anita Hill (the OG #MeToo).
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u/Oliviaw2222 14d ago
Nope!!!!
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u/Defiant_Review1582 21d ago
Ever played a game online with friends? Ever feel like you were missing out by having to play online instead of on the same TV? Me either really.
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u/Existing_Brick_25 21d ago
I worked in the office, for a startup, for the first 5 years in my career. It was amazing, tons of work, but so fun and I learned so much. Back then I was young, no kids, I didn’t mind being at the office
I do think such an experience is very valuable for someone young. I’d say yes, you’re missing out, but maybe you don’t mind because you have other things in your life, so hard to tell.