I have noticed a trend in the recent past a LOT more discussion about companies removing remote/WFH work plans and having employees returning to work.
I know many people attribute this to appear like a manager is necessary or maintain property values; and while these may be driving factors I don't think they're necessarily the actual reason seeing how we're now basically 2 years removed from people packed up they're computers to work from the dining room table.
Lately as Anti-work and work reform have gained traction the corporate noise about returning to office has only gotten louder. Middle managers have still “proven” their worth to their bosses if they still have a job 2 years later – but we're seeing the push now coming from the VERY top not the middle.
This is usually where one makes the argument about property values but honestly they only care about the value of their building not the value of a building across the state or country and as long as other employers are having offices there office retains value. Your office building isn't magically worth more if you use it or less if you don't.
It struck me as I looked back at my own thoughts of putting applications out there or taking recruiters calls. It's about controlling your ability to leave. A CEO cares if the labor rate is going up and would start to look why it's going up? If I have to be replaced it will cost them more than what they pay me (especially now a days). As more and more people started resigning; more and more companies all of a sudden want to be back in the office.
I have had interviews with 5 different companies in the past 3 months. I have taken numerous phonecalls from recruiters. All while working at my desk. If I wasn't in an office I could just put up an appointment to block my calendar an go do a video interview. I couldn't just pick up my phone from a recruiter and chat openly while still working.
Companies know this and the whole return to work is to make sure you don't have time to look for another job. They're banking on people being lazy.
So in the end, if your looking at being forced back into an office out your resume out there even more. They're feeling the pressure we can not let off!