I think some of them are also doing it for the tax breaks they get if they pump a bunch of employees into the local area's economy.

And we all know how difficult is is to get companies to voluntarily give up free tax money from the government. It's like trying to take drugs away from an addict.

I thought it was because they couldn't make friends & wanted to force people to be around them.

Empty desks is an opportunity to expand, including shared desks from work sharing or WFH some of the week.

Commercial real estate/rental spaces are also an opportunity to downsize and get out of leases at better per square foot rates. If not getting out of lease, then opportunity to sublet desk areas.

The great reset is coming, it's nipping at their heals, soaking into the top of their eyelids like exhaustion, the darkness is creeping in from all the edges, making them wonder how close it will get, if it will truly envelope them as they've been warned

How was this not obvious when the panic set in with the pandemic.

It's never about productivity, it's always about increasing value.

I used to work 10-15 hours a day, weekends included, in a small lab. I did not mind it, I felt seen, my boss was happy with my efforts, and I thrived in that atmosphere.

I now work completely remote for significantly more money, spending 10-16 hours indoors interacting with nobody. It's hell. My extra hours are unseen. I barely see the sun. My weight is ballooning.

My point: WFH is great for people with families or partners, or anyone who has essentially a settled home life. But for single people, WFH is torture.

I do 100% agree that it should be a choice, and not a mandate to RTO. I'd take it in a heartbeat if it was an option

Worked at Boeing, where you have 1990's cubicles with 17" 3:4 monitors. I'm glad to he back in the office.