I think the best balance is to allow remote working anytime, but only hire local. The focus of management should be on results, not on hours in the office. This system has the best of both worlds.
Remote from anywhere in the world has a lot of issues. The benefits are well known. Time flexibility and it forces management to focus only on results. However, doing face to face meetings is extremely difficult due to distance. Even tools like skype and hangouts are not effective when big time zone differences exist. Face to face communication has a lot of advantages and it's missing in this kind of workplace.
Forcing everyone to be in the office everyday also has a lot of issues. Going to the office and staying 8 hours or more regardless of productivity is a waste of time. There is also the wasted time commuting and it allows management to be lazy by focusing on hours in the office instead of actual results.
Allowing remote anytime anywhere, but hiring only within 50 miles of the office has the advantages of both. Face to face meetings are easy to schedule since everyone is only 50 miles away or less from the office. There are no time zone issues so skype and hangouts are very effective. It also allows all the flexibility of working remote.
I like to always physically going to work because then the environment externally pressures me to actually do stuff. I much prefer the external pressure instead of internally trying to motivate myself.
Remote from anywhere in the world has a lot of issues. The benefits are well known. Time flexibility and it forces management to focus only on results. However, doing face to face meetings is extremely difficult due to distance. Even tools like skype and hangouts are not effective when big time zone differences exist. Face to face communication has a lot of advantages and it's missing in this kind of workplace.
Forcing everyone to be in the office everyday also has a lot of issues. Going to the office and staying 8 hours or more regardless of productivity is a waste of time. There is also the wasted time commuting and it allows management to be lazy by focusing on hours in the office instead of actual results.
Allowing remote anytime anywhere, but hiring only within 50 miles of the office has the advantages of both. Face to face meetings are easy to schedule since everyone is only 50 miles away or less from the office. There are no time zone issues so skype and hangouts are very effective. It also allows all the flexibility of working remote.