“We believe in the power of in-person collaboration.”
Translation: we have a lease we can’t break and a management philosophy built on visibility. If we can’t see you, we can’t trust you. If we can’t trust you, what are we paying you for?
The return to office was never about productivity. Every metric showed remote work worked. It was about control. And real estate. And middle managers who don’t know how to manage without walking by your desk.
The people who decided everyone must return to the office have not returned to the office. They’re on a call from their home office. With a door that closes.