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What’s Lost and Gained When We Put In 9-to-5 From Home? What’s Lost and Gained When We Put In 9-to-5 From Home?
(1 day later)
On Thursday, Tobi Lütke, the founder and chief executive of Ottawa-based Shopify, announced on Twitter that most of his company’s 5,000 employees had permanently become stay-at-home workers.On Thursday, Tobi Lütke, the founder and chief executive of Ottawa-based Shopify, announced on Twitter that most of his company’s 5,000 employees had permanently become stay-at-home workers.
That came the same day as a similar announcement from Facebook, and it followed remote working moves by Twitter and OpenText, a mainstay of Canada’s tech industry based in Waterloo, Ontario.That came the same day as a similar announcement from Facebook, and it followed remote working moves by Twitter and OpenText, a mainstay of Canada’s tech industry based in Waterloo, Ontario.
[Read: Facebook Starts Planning for Permanent Remote Workers][Read: Facebook Starts Planning for Permanent Remote Workers]
Shopify, like many other tech companies, was famous for having offices that looked like boutique hotels, with cozy chesterfields, game consoles, exercise and yoga studios, rooftop patios, free beer on tap and salad and sandwich bars that rivaled many restaurants.Shopify, like many other tech companies, was famous for having offices that looked like boutique hotels, with cozy chesterfields, game consoles, exercise and yoga studios, rooftop patios, free beer on tap and salad and sandwich bars that rivaled many restaurants.
Shopify, the most valuable corporation on the Canadian stock exchange, provides products and services that allow small and medium-size retailers to move online, a popular recourse for those shuttered by the pandemic.Shopify, the most valuable corporation on the Canadian stock exchange, provides products and services that allow small and medium-size retailers to move online, a popular recourse for those shuttered by the pandemic.
In the post-pandemic world, the company’s Canadian offices will become “recruitment hubs” and places where employees can meet in person when necessary. The future of a recently announced Shopify office in Vancouver is still being sorted out. So is the overall meaning of a permanent shift to remote work.In the post-pandemic world, the company’s Canadian offices will become “recruitment hubs” and places where employees can meet in person when necessary. The future of a recently announced Shopify office in Vancouver is still being sorted out. So is the overall meaning of a permanent shift to remote work.
It seems beyond churlish for anyone who still has a job to be grumbling about where they perform their work duties. But for a lot of people, remote work is an unwelcome novelty.It seems beyond churlish for anyone who still has a job to be grumbling about where they perform their work duties. But for a lot of people, remote work is an unwelcome novelty.
I’ve worked from home (and on the road for assignments) since CompuServe was my email provider, but many only began a few months ago with the lockdown.I’ve worked from home (and on the road for assignments) since CompuServe was my email provider, but many only began a few months ago with the lockdown.
I called Henry Mintzberg, one of Canada’s leading business theorists and a professor of management studies at the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University in Montreal, to talk about remote work. Given that he has long urged managers to connect regularly with employees on the shop or office floor, I was somewhat surprised by his assessment. Here’s some of our conversation, which has been edited for space and clarity.I called Henry Mintzberg, one of Canada’s leading business theorists and a professor of management studies at the Desautels Faculty of Management at McGill University in Montreal, to talk about remote work. Given that he has long urged managers to connect regularly with employees on the shop or office floor, I was somewhat surprised by his assessment. Here’s some of our conversation, which has been edited for space and clarity.
Is it possible to already draw conclusions from the global move to at-home work during the pandemic?Is it possible to already draw conclusions from the global move to at-home work during the pandemic?
Many people work quite independently of each other, sometimes even when facing each other.Many people work quite independently of each other, sometimes even when facing each other.
There are many, many kinds of work where people don’t need to interact with each other. And so why not at home? Why invest in all those bricks and mortars?There are many, many kinds of work where people don’t need to interact with each other. And so why not at home? Why invest in all those bricks and mortars?
Two months of using Zoom sometimes three or four times a day makes me realize that while it’s not quite the same as face-to-face, it’s awfully close, especially compared to email.Two months of using Zoom sometimes three or four times a day makes me realize that while it’s not quite the same as face-to-face, it’s awfully close, especially compared to email.
So as people get used to that, they clearly don’t have to go into the office, they don’t have to get in an airplane. That’s obviously going to have an impact.So as people get used to that, they clearly don’t have to go into the office, they don’t have to get in an airplane. That’s obviously going to have an impact.
What do we lose by not dealing with colleagues virtually?What do we lose by not dealing with colleagues virtually?
My first book, “The Nature of Managerial Work,” was about the oral nature of the manager’s job: about inflection, hand movements and tone of voice and all that kind of thing.My first book, “The Nature of Managerial Work,” was about the oral nature of the manager’s job: about inflection, hand movements and tone of voice and all that kind of thing.
We have all that actually on video. So, in fact, there’s not much loss.We have all that actually on video. So, in fact, there’s not much loss.
I think what’s lost is almost psychic in a sense that when walk into a room, you can feel a sense of energy or whatever. And you don’t have that.I think what’s lost is almost psychic in a sense that when walk into a room, you can feel a sense of energy or whatever. And you don’t have that.
But as someone who was always suspicious of that, you’re losing very little. I’m stunned by how little you lose and how much you gain because you don’t have to spend hours in an airplane or driving to work.But as someone who was always suspicious of that, you’re losing very little. I’m stunned by how little you lose and how much you gain because you don’t have to spend hours in an airplane or driving to work.
But there has always been a concern that remote working can impede careers.But there has always been a concern that remote working can impede careers.
Right, the out of sight, out of mind kind of thing, although this isn’t quite out of sight. It’s hard to play the politics on a Zoom call and you’re not scheming behind the coffee machine. But maybe that’ll be a good thing.Right, the out of sight, out of mind kind of thing, although this isn’t quite out of sight. It’s hard to play the politics on a Zoom call and you’re not scheming behind the coffee machine. But maybe that’ll be a good thing.
And don’t forget, if everybody’s doing it, you still got to promote people. So if everybody’s at home, you’ve got to promote people at home. You can’t just promote people who come into the office.And don’t forget, if everybody’s doing it, you still got to promote people. So if everybody’s at home, you’ve got to promote people at home. You can’t just promote people who come into the office.
Obviously, many jobs can’t be done at home. But is there work that doesn’t involve, say, working in a sawmill or a store, treating patients at hospitals or whatever that’s still best done in person?Obviously, many jobs can’t be done at home. But is there work that doesn’t involve, say, working in a sawmill or a store, treating patients at hospitals or whatever that’s still best done in person?
For my groups, some of our most intense brainstorming has been when we’re face-to-face and struggling with issues and then coming up with creative solutions.For my groups, some of our most intense brainstorming has been when we’re face-to-face and struggling with issues and then coming up with creative solutions.
The really creative, difficult project work, I think, needs face-to-face interaction. People will still come in and work interactively at times because if they don’t you’re going to get less and less creativity.The really creative, difficult project work, I think, needs face-to-face interaction. People will still come in and work interactively at times because if they don’t you’re going to get less and less creativity.
Updated June 5, 2020Updated June 5, 2020
So far, the evidence seems to show it does. A widely cited paper published in April suggests that people are most infectious about two days before the onset of coronavirus symptoms and estimated that 44 percent of new infections were a result of transmission from people who were not yet showing symptoms. Recently, a top expert at the World Health Organization stated that transmission of the coronavirus by people who did not have symptoms was “very rare,” but she later walked back that statement.
A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.A study by European scientists is the first to document a strong statistical link between genetic variations and Covid-19, the illness caused by the coronavirus. Having Type A blood was linked to a 50 percent increase in the likelihood that a patient would need to get oxygen or to go on a ventilator, according to the new study.
The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.The unemployment rate fell to 13.3 percent in May, the Labor Department said on June 5, an unexpected improvement in the nation’s job market as hiring rebounded faster than economists expected. Economists had forecast the unemployment rate to increase to as much as 20 percent, after it hit 14.7 percent in April, which was the highest since the government began keeping official statistics after World War II. But the unemployment rate dipped instead, with employers adding 2.5 million jobs, after more than 20 million jobs were lost in April.
Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.Mass protests against police brutality that have brought thousands of people onto the streets in cities across America are raising the specter of new coronavirus outbreaks, prompting political leaders, physicians and public health experts to warn that the crowds could cause a surge in cases. While many political leaders affirmed the right of protesters to express themselves, they urged the demonstrators to wear face masks and maintain social distancing, both to protect themselves and to prevent further community spread of the virus. Some infectious disease experts were reassured by the fact that the protests were held outdoors, saying the open air settings could mitigate the risk of transmission.
Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.Exercise researchers and physicians have some blunt advice for those of us aiming to return to regular exercise now: Start slowly and then rev up your workouts, also slowly. American adults tended to be about 12 percent less active after the stay-at-home mandates began in March than they were in January. But there are steps you can take to ease your way back into regular exercise safely. First, “start at no more than 50 percent of the exercise you were doing before Covid,” says Dr. Monica Rho, the chief of musculoskeletal medicine at the Shirley Ryan AbilityLab in Chicago. Thread in some preparatory squats, too, she advises. “When you haven’t been exercising, you lose muscle mass.” Expect some muscle twinges after these preliminary, post-lockdown sessions, especially a day or two later. But sudden or increasing pain during exercise is a clarion call to stop and return home.
States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.States are reopening bit by bit. This means that more public spaces are available for use and more and more businesses are being allowed to open again. The federal government is largely leaving the decision up to states, and some state leaders are leaving the decision up to local authorities. Even if you aren’t being told to stay at home, it’s still a good idea to limit trips outside and your interaction with other people.
Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.Touching contaminated objects and then infecting ourselves with the germs is not typically how the virus spreads. But it can happen. A number of studies of flu, rhinovirus, coronavirus and other microbes have shown that respiratory illnesses, including the new coronavirus, can spread by touching contaminated surfaces, particularly in places like day care centers, offices and hospitals. But a long chain of events has to happen for the disease to spread that way. The best way to protect yourself from coronavirus — whether it’s surface transmission or close human contact — is still social distancing, washing your hands, not touching your face and wearing masks.
Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.Common symptoms include fever, a dry cough, fatigue and difficulty breathing or shortness of breath. Some of these symptoms overlap with those of the flu, making detection difficult, but runny noses and stuffy sinuses are less common. The C.D.C. has also added chills, muscle pain, sore throat, headache and a new loss of the sense of taste or smell as symptoms to look out for. Most people fall ill five to seven days after exposure, but symptoms may appear in as few as two days or as many as 14 days.
If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)If air travel is unavoidable, there are some steps you can take to protect yourself. Most important: Wash your hands often, and stop touching your face. If possible, choose a window seat. A study from Emory University found that during flu season, the safest place to sit on a plane is by a window, as people sitting in window seats had less contact with potentially sick people. Disinfect hard surfaces. When you get to your seat and your hands are clean, use disinfecting wipes to clean the hard surfaces at your seat like the head and arm rest, the seatbelt buckle, the remote, screen, seat back pocket and the tray table. If the seat is hard and nonporous or leather or pleather, you can wipe that down, too. (Using wipes on upholstered seats could lead to a wet seat and spreading of germs rather than killing them.)
Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.Taking one’s temperature to look for signs of fever is not as easy as it sounds, as “normal” temperature numbers can vary, but generally, keep an eye out for a temperature of 100.5 degrees Fahrenheit or higher. If you don’t have a thermometer (they can be pricey these days), there are other ways to figure out if you have a fever, or are at risk of Covid-19 complications.
The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.The C.D.C. has recommended that all Americans wear cloth masks if they go out in public. This is a shift in federal guidance reflecting new concerns that the coronavirus is being spread by infected people who have no symptoms. Until now, the C.D.C., like the W.H.O., has advised that ordinary people don’t need to wear masks unless they are sick and coughing. Part of the reason was to preserve medical-grade masks for health care workers who desperately need them at a time when they are in continuously short supply. Masks don’t replace hand washing and social distancing.
If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.If you’ve been exposed to the coronavirus or think you have, and have a fever or symptoms like a cough or difficulty breathing, call a doctor. They should give you advice on whether you should be tested, how to get tested, and how to seek medical treatment without potentially infecting or exposing others.
If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.If you’re sick and you think you’ve been exposed to the new coronavirus, the C.D.C. recommends that you call your healthcare provider and explain your symptoms and fears. They will decide if you need to be tested. Keep in mind that there’s a chance — because of a lack of testing kits or because you’re asymptomatic, for instance — you won’t be able to get tested.
My colleague Dan Bilefsky spoke recently to someone whose work is both creative and cannot be done profitably from home: a Mongolian contortionist with Cirque du Soleil. She’s been stuck on a cruise ship for weeks as the pandemic shutdown has put the once wildly successful Cirque into a deep crisis.My colleague Dan Bilefsky spoke recently to someone whose work is both creative and cannot be done profitably from home: a Mongolian contortionist with Cirque du Soleil. She’s been stuck on a cruise ship for weeks as the pandemic shutdown has put the once wildly successful Cirque into a deep crisis.
[Read: Will Cirque du Soleil Rise Again?][Read: Will Cirque du Soleil Rise Again?]
And if you haven’t done so, please read Catherine Porter’s story about the baby foxes that brought some lockdown relief to her neighborhood and to Toronto as a whole and enjoy Brett Gundlock’s exceptional photos of the fox family.And if you haven’t done so, please read Catherine Porter’s story about the baby foxes that brought some lockdown relief to her neighborhood and to Toronto as a whole and enjoy Brett Gundlock’s exceptional photos of the fox family.
[Read: Toronto Was Obeying Social Distance Rules. Then Came Adorable Baby Foxes.][Read: Toronto Was Obeying Social Distance Rules. Then Came Adorable Baby Foxes.]
A national flyover by the Snowbirds of the Royal Canadian Air Force that was intended to cheer up the nation instead turned into a tragedy.A national flyover by the Snowbirds of the Royal Canadian Air Force that was intended to cheer up the nation instead turned into a tragedy.
One of Saudi Arabia’s top intelligence officers, an expert in artificial intelligence, is now lying low in Canada. In what appears to be part of an effort to pressure him to return home, two of his adult children and one of his brothers have been arrested by the Saudi security forces and held incommunicado.One of Saudi Arabia’s top intelligence officers, an expert in artificial intelligence, is now lying low in Canada. In what appears to be part of an effort to pressure him to return home, two of his adult children and one of his brothers have been arrested by the Saudi security forces and held incommunicado.
A native of Windsor, Ontario, Ian Austen was educated in Toronto, lives in Ottawa and has reported about Canada for The New York Times for the past 16 years. Follow him on Twitter at @ianrausten.A native of Windsor, Ontario, Ian Austen was educated in Toronto, lives in Ottawa and has reported about Canada for The New York Times for the past 16 years. Follow him on Twitter at @ianrausten.
We’re eager to have your thoughts about this newsletter and events in Canada in general. Please send them to nytcanada@nytimes.com.We’re eager to have your thoughts about this newsletter and events in Canada in general. Please send them to nytcanada@nytimes.com.
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