> I even hit rock bottom: opening myself up to the thought of on-site dev work, which is an absolute red line for me.
With respect, that is a red flag for me and would indicate a bit of an "attitude problem" if I was interviewing or reviewing applications and this was mentioned. If going to the office - something absolutely normal and expected of any desk worker - is a "red line" for you and you let potential employers know that, then frankly I am not surprised people are not biting. Yes we all had a good ride over COVID but the trend (whether people like it or not) is for the bosses to want everyone back in the office.
I would respectfully suggest you suck it up, don't make a deal of it in your resume/CV or interview, and accept that you'll be badging through the turn-style 5 days a week along with everyone else and don't expect special treatment.
Good luck.
Would you feel the same way about a disabled employee?
Is it special treatment to be asked to still be able to feed myself and put a roof over my head despite having a spinal cord injury? In my country, I must be allowed to work from home, but only if already gainfully employed, it will not assist in getting said employment.
I worry this will be me if I lose my current remote job. Pending more surgeries which may change the situation, commuting and being in a physical office is just is just not a reality and so I’ve been forced into remote work to have any kind of work.
I am not optimistic for my future. Then again we didn’t think I’d work at all again so take the good with the bad I suppose.
> Would you feel the same way about a disabled employee?
No because that is totally different. In the UK (all I have experience of) employers would be expected to make "reasonable adjustments" to avoid "significant disadvantage". But note that is not just bend over backwards, totally capitulate, and do whatever the hell the employee chooses.
E.g. if the office is already totally wheelchair-friendly and there is viable transport etc (which is basically the case for any office building built in the last 20+ years) then they might say that no further adjustments are needed as the employee would not be "significantly disadvantaged", so come on in to the office. It is a balancing act though and every request would be treated independently. Might suck I agree, but there you go. Good luck.
I was asking honestly by the way, because I truely don’t know how I’ll be evaluated if I’m forced to make a move so I appreciate the answer.