Let’s talk about WFH

This subreddit seems to be one of the few places on Reddit where I can voice a dissenting opinion without being banned, so I want to bring this topic into discussion. The Republican and conservative party has taken a hardline stance against remote work, opposing it even for roles that are perfectly suited for a work-from-home model.

Having worked from home for three years has been one of the best changes in my life. I work in tech, where the majority of my tasks are completed from a computer—often by remotely accessing servers or helping colleagues who are also working from home. There is nothing I can't do just as well or even better at home versus in the office. Remote work has dramatically improved my work-life balance, allowed me to spend more time with my wife, and helped me find a healthy balance between my career and personal life.

Of course, some jobs simply cannot be done remotely. But every time I see people rallying against remote work, it feels like their opposition comes from a place of resentment or misunderstanding. Many of these critics seem to have no idea what remote workers actually do. Their arguments often boil down to: “I had to suffer in an office, so everyone else should too.”

I fail to see a single valid reason to deny someone the ability to work from home if their job can be performed remotely and they are doing it successfully. Sure, there will always be a few people who abuse remote work, but punishing the entire workforce for the actions of a few is shortsighted and counterproductive.

This anti-remote-work stance reminds me of other losing cultural battles conservatives have fought—like opposition to marijuana legalization or gay marriage. Whether one agrees or disagrees with those issues morally, the reality is that the vast majority of Americans support them and the average American doesn't seem to oppose working from home either. Opposition to these issues will cost the conservative movement significant support among younger voters and white collar workers.

The conservative movement has actually done a fantastic job of regaining control over the cultural zeitgeist over the last four years—a space the left dominated for what seems like forever. The reason I believe the left lost ground is because they fixated on issues that the average American simply doesn’t care about. From pushing transgender ideology , forcing LGBT narratives onto the entire country or generally pandering to small minorities over the broader public, they alienated everyday people and drove voters into the conservative camp.

However, if conservatives continue their blanket opposition to remote work, they risk falling into the same trap—alienating voters over an issue that directly affects their quality of life. Younger generations deeply value work-life balance and flexibility. By positioning themselves as the party of “butts in seats” rather than productivity and freedom, conservatives are not only driving away a key demographic but also jeopardizing their hard-won gains in the broader cultural conversation.

If conservatives want to maintain their momentum in the ongoing culture war, they need to pick their battles more wisely. Remote work isn’t a threat to conservative values—it’s an opportunity to champion personal freedom, individual responsibility, and results over rigid rules.