CEOs won’t admit anything. We had some downsizing over the pandemic but they still want us in the office while claiming that we all miss the “magic meeting in an elevator/hallway moments” and that supposedly collaboration is greatly enhanced. Meanwhile when asked if we’d have adequate facilities, there was a pause before being told an empty “…yes”. So what are the adequate facilities? Open spaces and unassigned seating so you don’t know where you’ll be sitting the next day. Instead of a well-furnished home office with peace and quiet, I will get to enjoy a spartan open space with many distractions.
Real estate prices has been mentioned as a reason for CEOs to do this and I’m sure that plays a part since they’re often invested in such things, but also, it’s likely a way to get people to quit so that they don’t have to have formal layoffs.