FlashbackUniverse t1_itl7qst wrote on October 24, 2022 at 1:54 PM

Reply to comment by UltravioletClearance in Remote work has changed everything. And it's still getting weirder by prehistoric_knight

> companies insist on putting their HQs in the most expensive neighborhoods

Westinghouse in Pittsburgh did this. The HQ had been in one spot for decades, but because of "Real Estate Advantages," the company decided to build a new mega complex in a "prime business" location.

Overnight, people who once had 30 minute commutes suddenly found themselves driving 90 minutes twice a day.

It was the start of a huge employee exodus.

djkianoosh t1_itlcmml wrote on October 24, 2022 at 2:30 PM

Maybe the exodus was part of the decision making.

UltravioletClearance t1_itlfesi wrote on October 24, 2022 at 2:49 PM

Definitely. In the Boston area the decision to move a suburban office to downtown seems guided by a desire to attract a "younger" and thus cheaper workforce.

FlashbackUniverse t1_itlfghb wrote on October 24, 2022 at 2:49 PM

There was some speculation on that theory at the time.

CoolHandSnoop t1_itm0be2 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 5:08 PM

Yeah - sounds like something GE would have done in the Jack Welch era…

Edit to add: when UPS moved HQ from Greenwich, CT to Atlanta, GA, one of the deciding factors in the decision was the known fact that many long term (expensive) employees would never move to GA from CT.

netsurfer3141 t1_itmd401 wrote on October 24, 2022 at 6:30 PM

Pittsburgh has very interesting commuting challenges. Fort Pitt and Liberty tubes on one side (and bridges) Squirrel Hill tunnels on the other (and bridges) , with major rivers (with bridges) , smaller tunnels, and did I mention bridges? And with construction and one-way streets you can make 4 right turns and not be back where you started downtown. I’ve been WFH since 2012 and don’t miss any of that.