The problem is they'd actually have to say "Look we know you don't like it, but it's better for me personally as I have substantial personal investments in comm

The problem is they'd actually have to say "Look we know you don't like it, but it's better for me personally as I have substantial personal investments in commercial real estate." Because it's not even ultimately about corporate profits (outside of real estate companies that is) as real estate holdings these days are largely a cost centre for most companies, and most companies were selling their RE holdings long before remote work was ever a thing and leasing back their offices from the companies they sold them to. This is ultimately about the personal wealth and power of the elite class, who's wealth is heavily concentrated in real estate. Nobody goes back to the office the companies financials look broadly the same, but the owners / shareholder's personal portfolios look a lot, lot worse.