I work for a small fintech company. To attract the best talent, we've hired people from all over the country and waived the requirement to be local within six months of hire. We've also attracted a lot of local talent due to the flexible two days/week in office policy. Well over half of my sitting area is out of state. As of last week, the entire company mandated 3 set office days a week. Not flexible. Take PTO if you're sick or can't make it in on these required 3 days.
I moved to the location for this job during the pandemic and at the time, really wanted to live in this city, so no regrets about being here. I have no desire to move away because my life is here now. But if I had only kicked in my heels, stayed where I was, I'd have gotten myself a fully remote gig.
So now I have an extra day a week of 40-60 minute rush hour commutes, awkward hybrid calls, sitting in an empty office space, and zoom calls with teammates on different time zones, all because company culture and collaboration is key…. while half my team continues to work at home, like they have for the last 6, 12, 24 months. Lol.