I have to say, the arguments made by managers and companies about returning to the office are laughable. I hear all the buzz words about collaboration, relationship building, teamwork, common objectives, shared vision, productivity and it is all a crock of........
Let's me honest here. It is about companies all having a large office footprint that is not utilised fully or efficiently and it annoys them. It is also about outdated backward managers thinking they need to micromanage every single employee including highly professional and efficient ones. They think everyone is at home watching Judge Judy and the Chase.
I go into office one day a week and they are pushing for more. When I go in, 90% of meetings are still on teams because the company never valued or invested in proper 'collaberation' or meeting areas up to now. A large % of people resent being made go to the office so their attitude stinks when it is there. Just turns into giant moanfest. There is no increase in interaction with senior managers apart from seeing them walk around a crowded office space with a smile on their face as their minions work away under their watchful eye.
We have hot desks that are booked every day and open to all so no guarantee we will be next to team members. Often end up sitting in middle of people from another team who spend the day talking on a giant online teams meeting.
Needless to say, I won't be doing more than 1 day a week......if that damages my career so be it. I value other parts of my life more. That's my choice. Just like someone else is free to choose to go in every single day.....