He isn't asking, he is informing.
This argument isn't about working from home - that ship has sailed and exposed the true nature of the corporate world - humans are a resource. Now, this wasn't a bad or good thing, it was just a thing.
Taylorism.
With Ai enabling more to be done with fewer (knowledge workers, labor and C-Level executives) and the fear of Covid exposing redundant managerial layers, outdated business philosophies and practices, and the ability of the individual to be productive in ANY environment they chose - the C Suite has become less relevant.
And THAT IS THE FEAR. Not CRE, productivity or "organic, face to face, collaboration..."
The jig is up, the news is out.
In a stunning display of corporate tone-deafness, Internet Brands, the parent company of WebMD, recently released an internal video, which was mistakenly shared publicly, revealing a troubling stance on remote work. The video features a series of company executives, including CEO Bob Brisco, who starkly declared, “We aren’t asking or negotiating at this point. We are informing you of how we need to work together going forward.” This directive starkly contrasts with the evolving landscape of work, where flexibility and employee autonomy are increasingly valued.