There seems to be this almost childish fascination with working from home here on /. So much so, it's easy to get the impression that the greatest obstacle to happiness and productivity is having to physically convene with others.
This will probably get downvoted, but I feel someone should say it. As a coworker, not only is communication way easier in person, it also builds bonds and alliances you simply don't get remotely. Those who never show up and always call in - they get annoying. They might not understand it themselves, but they certainly don't become part of the herd. Which makes them part strangers, and less trustworthy.
As a manager, those who consistently stay home are a liability. They will never be a part of the community in the same way as those who attend, and as such must be assumed to be less loyal. My experience affirms this. If physical presence is enough for them to move on, then good riddens. Some professions may be hard to come by, but the organization should be very wary of bending to their will - in the long run, the price is very high.
Of course, if you already are a 100% remote organization, then everyone's on the same footing. Some of the issues won't apply as much, others become worse. But in the same way as demanding 100% physical presence can be a way to lose talent, so is the opposite.
As with everything, it's a balance. Right now, the level of remoteness (in all aspects of the word) may very well be too high. Humans in general need physical contact. Your job should be more than just work. Building a healthy organization where people thrive and good decisions are made does require some kind of cultural conformity, and somewhat regular physical presence is a basic human part of it.
