The power of proximity to coworkers [pdf] (pallais.scholars.harvard.edu)

A recent study by researchers Natalia Emanuel, Emma Harrington, and Amanda Pallais examined the impact of coworker proximity on training and productivity among software engineers in a Fortune 500 company from 2019 to 2024. Analyzing periods of office closures during the pandemic and subsequent return-to-office mandates, the researchers found that engineers who worked closely together received 18.3% more coding feedback, which significantly improved code quality—especially for younger and less-tenured engineers. However, experienced engineers tended to write less code when co-located, indicating a tradeoff between providing feedback and individual productivity. This study is significant for the AI/ML community as it highlights the importance of physical proximity even in technologically advanced working environments, wherein remote work increasingly isolates collaborative opportunities. The findings suggest that while distance may not diminish digital connectivity, it hampers the nuanced, serendipitous interactions that foster learning and talent development. Furthermore, the rise of remote work has raised unemployment rates among younger engineers in remote-friendly jobs, suggesting broader implications for workforce dynamics and talent acquisition strategies within tech firms as they navigate the complexities of remote versus in-office work.