Should people work remotely?

Q1166 answers2019-2023
Short answer

He criticizes the work-from-home crowd for ignoring the people who must show up at factories and restaurants.

From his 2023-10-18 answer in Tesla Q3 2023 earnings call (2023). Summary is ours; see the quotes below.

All 6 answers, oldest to newest

𝕏 post · 2019-12-22 · @elonmusk on X · asked by @annerajb · open post ·
He said remote work carries a big communication penalty, so the talent gained from people who won't move has to be very high.
"Big communication penalty for remote work, which means the gain in talent that won’t move has to be very high"
𝕏 post · 2020-08-15 · @elonmusk on X · open post ·
Recruiting for Tesla's AI and chip teams, he said the main engineering locations are Palo Alto, Austin and Seattle, but remote work is acceptable for exceptional candidates.
"Our main engineering locations are Palo Alto, Austin & Seattle, but working remotely is acceptable for exceptional candidates"
🎙 Interview · 2021-01-31 · Clubhouse conversation (The Good Time Show) (2021) · asked by Clubhouse hosts · watch at 54:13 · transcript ·
He says in-person meetings and even Zoom are better than email.
"Texts are way better to deal with. And then in person meetings are much better."
🎙 Interview · 2022-06 · Twitter All-Hands · asked by Twitter All-Hands moderator · watch at 19:40 · transcript ·
He said the bias needs to be strongly toward working in person. Remote work can be okay if someone's output is exceptional; firing an excellent remote worker would be insane.
"the bias definitely needs to be strongly towards working in person"
𝕏 post · 2022-11-12 · @elonmusk on X · asked by @balinares · open post ·
Replying about Twitter's office policy, he said anyone who can be in the office should be; staying home is fine if logistics or personal matters require it, remote work is OK if a manager vouches for excellence, and it's the same policy as Tesla and SpaceX.
"Anyone who can be in office, should be. However, if not logistically possible or they have essential personal matters, then staying home is fine. Working remotely is also ok if their manager vouches for excellence. Same policy as Tesla & SpaceX."
🎙 Interview · 2023-10-18 · Tesla Q3 2023 earnings call (2023) · asked by Tesla Investor Relations · watch at 49:02 · transcript ·
He criticizes the work-from-home crowd for ignoring the people who must show up at factories and restaurants.
"how detached from reality does the work from home card have to be while they take advantage of all those who do cannot work from home."

Last updated: 2023-10-18 (newest answer).

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