**WARNING – HALF BAKED THOUGHT**
We all can safely assume our managers probably receive earfuls from their higher ups when their Dept/Location/store fail to increase numbers (however that's measured), thus creating a vicious trickle down effect. I think this is one of the many reason our managers are slowly asking us to come back to the office. So they can see EXACTLY how every minute is spent while working in hopes to increase productivity to make THEIR superiors happy.
I strongly believe a managers success should be measured by employee satisfaction and retention first (assuming the location is not losing money), followed by department performance. I think if management's main goal were to focus employee retention & workplace satisfaction rather than maximizing profits, it would lead to better overall performance in the long run. Happy staff = good work.
I'm not sure how realistic this would be. I'm also sure this idea is full of holes as I didn't put to much thought into this.
Help me brainstorm!