"The data indicates that productivity is actually slightly higher in work when you allow work from home," Schmidt told podcast host, Steven Bartlett. "You and I really want that company of people sitting around the table and so forth, but the evidence does not support our view." By acknowledging this evidence, Schmidt highlights a growing trend in the workplace where flexibility may lead to improved outputs, even as it contrasts with traditional preferences for in-person collaboration.
"I'll tell you that, at least for the industries that have studied, there's evidence that allowing that flexibility [to] work from home increases productivity - I don't happen to like it, but I want to acknowledge the science is there," Schmidt said. This statement reflects the tension between personal preference for in-office work and data-driven insights recommending remote flexibility, underscoring how changing workplace norms value productivity gains.
"If you're in your 20s, you want to be in an office because that's how you're going to get promoted," he added. Schmidt emphasizes the importance of in-person interactions for young professionals, expressing that informal learning experiences contribute significantly to career development, which is something remote work may impede.
"I learned by hanging out at the water cooler, going to meetings, hanging out, being in the hallway. Had I been at home, I wouldn't have any of that knowledge, which ultimately was central to my subsequent promotions," Schmidt shared. This insight reveals how informal, spontaneous workplace interactions can play a crucial role in professional growth, advocating for a balanced approach to remote work versus office presence.
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