Oliver Bateman Does the WorkVerified account

Perhaps it’s wishful thinking but i think that there are more institutional/technological barriers to offshoring than inertia. Lots of companies start out being remote but move to physical locations. However, this would fit the trend towards proletarianization of the PMC

Yeah, I'd like to hope so too! Even if those barriers are real, I suspect there will be plenty of short-term profitability concerns that would make it attractive to replace expensive workers with workers who are 30% less productive but 50% cheaper.

We're making roughly a quarter of furloughs in the company where I work permanent ... "converting" them to "demobilized" and "alumni" status

What does that mean ? Are they fired ?

In so many words, yes.

would you say that’s because there’s been a loss of revenue due to the pandemic?

It is based on an expectation that commercial leasing and the associated facilities work is going to experience a big drop in revenue over the next year or two

makes sense. my union has seen over 30% of its members being laid off (most deemed "essential" workers too). i hope that your job stays safe.