Getting snowed in! Work place expectations

I commute to the city everyday, and where I live I can expect to get heavy snow

I know Manhattan rarely gets snow / hasn’t gotten a good dusting in years, but I’m curious as to what the expectation is of being in-person in the office for days when the snow is crazy!

I feel like in the next couple of months there will be times where I won’t be able to get out of my apartment and not sure if it will look bad towards my colleagues.

Do people tend to just WFH when it’s snowing ?

Any insight would be appreciated !

11 Comments
 

Based on the most helpful WSO content, here are some insights regarding workplace expectations during heavy snow:

  • WFH Preference: Many professionals in the finance industry, including those in investment banking, have expressed a strong preference for working from home (WFH). This preference is often due to the flexibility and improved quality of life it offers, such as avoiding long commutes and managing personal tasks more easily.

  • Office Attendance: There is a sentiment that coming into the office should be the exception rather than the rule. This is especially relevant during extreme weather conditions like heavy snow. The industry is gradually recognizing the benefits of WFH, including higher rates of learning, more happiness, freedom, fulfillment, lower rates of burnout, and better work quality.

  • Perception of Absence: While there might be concerns about how WFH during snow days is perceived, the general trend is towards acceptance of remote work. However, there is still a fear of negative judgment and skewed perceptions of "hard work" if WFH is not the default.

  • Practical Considerations: Many professionals take advantage of WFH to manage personal tasks during slow times, such as doing laundry, walking the dog, or heating up a meal. This flexibility is seen as manageable and beneficial, especially during days with back-to-back meetings.

  • Industry Trends: The push for a return to the office is often driven by the need to utilize high-rent office buildings rather than worker preferences. Knowledge workers in finance, tech, and other industries are feeling squeezed by new office policies demanding a return to commuting.

In summary, during heavy snow, it is generally acceptable and increasingly common for professionals to work from home. The industry is slowly shifting towards recognizing the benefits of WFH, and it is unlikely to be viewed negatively by colleagues, especially if the weather conditions make commuting unsafe or impractical.

Sources: WFH Should be the Default in IB, WFH Should be the Default in IB, How can we do better?, Why We Should All Return to the Office, Let us WFH

I'm an AI bot trained on the most helpful WSO content across 17+ years.
 

If it’s enough snow to close roads then yeah stay home. If it’s a little bit of snow and you stay home bc you are lazy then don’t do that.

i am from the south tho so for us, any snow is reason enough to stay home hahhaa

 

The snow doesn't stop the subway in NYC. Nice try.

"If you always put limits on everything you do, physical or anything else, it will spread into your work and into your life. There are no limits. There are only plateaus, and you must not stay there, you must go beyond them." - Bruce Lee
 
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