I think the RTO thing is a lot more nefarious and high level than just middle managers wanting to keep their jobs, or boomers wanting the old way, or trying to

I think the RTO thing is a lot more nefarious and high level than just middle managers wanting to keep their jobs, or boomers wanting the old way, or trying to prevent moonlighting, etc. This is the same story since the industrial revolution. It's just new to many. The capitalist class is not happy to have their proles to have the freedom of movement and choice of where they work. Much like how America ties expensive healthcare (and high risk of bankruptcy) to working for The man, forcing the white collared proletarians into the office shows power and importance of work over life. This also explains why it seems to be the CEOs pushing for it (in reality it is probably the board of directors i bet) Officer workers almost always were insulated from the bloody history of workers rights and strikes, and I don't think there's a single white collar union in America, but I was surprised to find out how always on guard european engineers/white collar workers are about the employer trying to take advantage of you. (They did eventually do 3 day hybrid, but I'm pretty sure a lot of people come in 1 or 2 days)