Construction costs are currently skyrocketing

For me, working from home is not regularly possible, only when it is clear that a report will take longer and I am not needed in the lab, then it works. But I also have flexible core working hours, during which I can sign out for two hours without any problems and without prior notification to take care of things, for example. However, this was completely different until five years ago. We had to be present from 7:30 to 12:00 and 14:00 to 17:30 without exception. Only when positions could not be filled because applicants—ok, mostly female applicants—politely declined, did flexibilization occur. Currently, we can work from 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. The goals must be met, and the team lead has to ensure that. It does not seem to have harmed productivity. I notice, however, that even after three years it still irritates me when I try to reach contacts or administrative staff in [homeoffice] and only get a callback after two hours. Some processes ran more smoothly when everyone was co-located and you knew where to find someone for a one-on-one conversation. Nevertheless, I support the right to [home office], where it makes sense, as it forces employers and supervisors to check employee performance in an intelligent way. The core working hours concept also has advantages in protecting employees, but sometimes the principle is implemented so rigidly that all you can do is shake your head. Is it unfair because there are professions that cannot work from [homeoffice]? I don’t think so. Ultimately, it is no different than the question of whether someone works in warmth in winter or has a job that forces them outside. Or having a private office with a cozy chair versus standing at an assembly line or treatment chair.

As soon as the construction boom is over, the first big company hops..

In the neighboring town, the company Steuler Fliesengruppe with over 600 employees has gone bankrupt..

One of the first many will follow.

One cannot really speak of a construction boom being over at the moment. Maybe in the single-family house sector. But when I look in Berlin, construction is happening on every corner.

We were just able to observe or rather eavesdrop during the lunch break. Someone cut through a metal bracket for 15 minutes with some kind of grinding tool. His companion stood next to him half the time and just watched. So much for productivity outside of [Homeoffice]...

We were just able to observe or rather eavesdrop on this during the lunch break. Someone spent 15 minutes cutting through metal brackets with some grinding tool. His companion stood next to him half the time and just watched. So much for productivity outside the home office...

I see this all the time around here. In every town, the streets are torn up for fiber optic expansion. Half of the people are constantly standing somewhere leaning and scrolling on their phones. At first, I thought it was just a coincidence and figured "they're probably on a break," but by now I'm surprised how often they seem to be on break. :D

Oh, and I thought that was only the case in Berlin. Forget about fiber optics. They have been building an elevator for the subway for two years. Also sensible, but why does it take two years... Then they have been working on Tauentzien since 2014. Feels like the same spot but not all at once, instead they tear it up again a month later for three months. etc. I wonder if they really have uncoordinated planning or if someone has to keep fixing things over and over again.