For the first time in almost three years, most white collar professionals are back in the office, at least some of the time.  The pandemic unleashed sweeping, societal change virtually overnight, and among the largest of those changes, was the way that we work. But now, almost three years later, we have returned to some semblance of normalcy.  But hybrid and flexible work schedules have persisted.  And for many managers, consultants, and economists, the cat may be out of the bag for good.  These folks argue that given their newfound flexibility and improved work/life balance, workers will never return to the office 5 days a week.  And that’s probably not such a bad thing. There is no demonstrable drop in productivity working from home.  The reduction in commuting time may even increase overall worker output. And given worker’s preference for greater flexibility, hybrid work is undoubtedly the future. But detractors argue that standard metrics of productivity are missing the big picture.  Perhaps what works in the short term may have serious consequences in the long term. How can companies maintain a corporate culture without a central space? How can managers develop and foster young talent without in person interaction? And how can society as a whole progress without the impromptu creative interactions that are a hallmark of functioning office spaces? In short, hybrid work may be the present, but it is not the future. 



Arguing for the motion is Raj Choudhury, Associate Professor at the Harvard Business School whose research is focused on studying the Future of Work.



Arguing against the motion is Allison Schrager, Senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a columnist at Bloomberg Opinion.





Speaker Quotes 

RAJ CHOUDHURY: “The day of traveling to a downtown office five days a week is over. And there are different creative ways to arrange work, and why don't the teams decide what's best for them?”.



ALLISON SCHRAGER: “Technology is changing and I have no doubt the nature of work is going to change, but it still doesn't change the way humans are”.






The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths - @rudyardg.  



Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/



To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to podcast@munkdebates.com.  



To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at https://munkdebates.com/membership

Members receive access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events.


This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - https://munkdebates.com/



Senior Producer: Jacob Lewis

Editor: Adam Karch 

For the first time in almost three years, most white collar professionals are back in the office, at least some of the time.  The pandemic unleashed sweeping, societal change virtually overnight, and among the largest of those changes, was the way that we work. But now, almost three years later, we have returned to some semblance of normalcy.  But hybrid and flexible work schedules have persisted.  And for many managers, consultants, and economists, the cat may be out of the bag for good.  These folks argue that given their newfound flexibility and improved work/life balance, workers will never return to the office 5 days a week.  And that’s probably not such a bad thing. There is no demonstrable drop in productivity working from home.  The reduction in commuting time may even increase overall worker output. And given worker’s preference for greater flexibility, hybrid work is undoubtedly the future. But detractors argue that standard metrics of productivity are missing the big picture.  Perhaps what works in the short term may have serious consequences in the long term. How can companies maintain a corporate culture without a central space? How can managers develop and foster young talent without in person interaction? And how can society as a whole progress without the impromptu creative interactions that are a hallmark of functioning office spaces? In short, hybrid work may be the present, but it is not the future. 
 
Arguing for the motion is Raj Choudhury, Associate Professor at the Harvard Business School whose research is focused on studying the Future of Work.
 
Arguing against the motion is Allison Schrager, Senior fellow at the Manhattan Institute and a columnist at Bloomberg Opinion.
 
Speaker Quotes 
RAJ CHOUDHURY: “The day of traveling to a downtown office five days a week is over. And there are different creative ways to arrange work, and why don't the teams decide what's best for them?”.
 
ALLISON SCHRAGER: “Technology is changing and I have no doubt the nature of work is going to change, but it still doesn't change the way humans are”.
 
The host of the Munk Debates is Rudyard Griffiths - <a href="https://twitter.com/rudyardg">@rudyardg</a>.  
 
Tweet your comments about this episode to @munkdebate or comment on our Facebook page <a href="https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/">https://www.facebook.com/munkdebates/</a>
 
To sign up for a weekly email reminder for this podcast, send an email to podcast@munkdebates.com.  
 
To support civil and substantive debate on the big questions of the day, consider becoming a Munk Member at <a href="https://munkdebates.com/membership">https://munkdebates.com/membership</a>
Members receive access to our 10+ year library of great debates in HD video, a free Munk Debates book, newsletter and ticketing privileges at our live events.
 This podcast is a project of the Munk Debates, a Canadian charitable organization dedicated to fostering civil and substantive public dialogue - <a href="https://munkdebates.com/">https://munkdebates.com/</a>
 
Senior Producer: Jacob Lewis
Editor: Adam Karch

The Munk Debates podcast is an extension of the main stage events - in subject, speaker selection, tone and format. It will introduce the iconic brand - and its engaging debates about significant issues of our time. Audiences will hear strong and passionate arguments from both sides of an issue so they will have enough information to make up their own minds about where they stand.

The Munk Debates podcast is an extension of the main stage events - in subject, speaker selection, tone and format. It will introduce the iconic brand - and its engaging debates about significant issues of our time. Audiences will hear strong and passionate arguments from both sides of an issue so they will have enough information to make up their own minds about where they stand.

The Munk Debates Podcast

The Munk Debates Podcast is dedicated to convening civil and substantive debates and dialogues on the big issues of the day. Each debate features two compelling thinkers debating a topic driving the public conversation. Each dialogue features world-renowned thinkers offering unique insight into the issues affecting us most. The podcast is an extension of the charitable Munk Debates' commitment to pushing back against the political polarization and restoring the art of public debate in our time. For more information about the Munk Debates visit www.munkdebates.com/podcast

The Munk Debates Podcast is dedicated to convening civil and substantive debates and dialogues on the big issues of the day. Each debate features two compelling thinkers debating a topic driving the public conversation. Each dialogue features world-renowned thinkers offering unique insight into the issues affecting us most. The podcast is an extension of the charitable Munk Debates' commitment to pushing back against the political polarization and restoring the art of public debate in our time. For more information about the Munk Debates visit www.munkdebates.com/podcast

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