I've been a remote worker since 2014, but this is an account of my average days in my last office job. My job was task-based. I had a project manager who would come around every morning with my daily schedule and that's how much work I had to get done that day. Something she told me should take 90 minutes would actually take me about 30.
I worked 7:30-4:30.
- 7:30: Arrived at work. Spent about 30 minutes bullshitting with the only other person who was also there early.
- 8 – 9:30: Made sure there were no work “emergencies.” Checked personal email, greeted other co-workers who came in, ate my breakfast at my desk, usually took a walk to the cafeteria with one other co-worker so they could get some coffee. Most days, I ended up going there twice because I had another co-worker who came in later so I'd go with her too.
- 9:30 – 11:30: Actually did some work, but was often interrupted by other people.
- 11:30 – 1 – Started talking with other coworkers about what to have for lunch, then either got lunch there or went out to run errands.
- 1-4: Depending on how busy I was, I either powered through the work or just pissed around. Often there were pointless, time-wasting meetings that I didn't need to attend. Then there were the normal interruptions you get when other people stop by your desk to chat.
- 4-4:30: Didn't do much because I was going to be leaving soon. Made sure everything I was supposed to get done had actually been done and looked at my schedule for the next day, etc.
On an average day, I did maybe 3 hours of actual billable work (was billed back to internal departments). My PM was fully aware that the jobs didn't take nearly the time she was giving me for them, but it was just understood and accepted.
Working remotely, I do closer to 5-6 hours of work a day. Still not a full 8 because I work pretty fast and still need mental/rest breaks, but it's way more than when I was in an office because I don't have interruptions and my “cafeteria” is my kitchen, so the walk is much shorter and I already know what's there. And my work is better because I can actually focus without the constant distractions of working in an office, and I'm not tired before I even start because I haven't had to get up, get ready, and drive to an office.
So tell me again how working in an office is more productive.