There was also a small subset of workers for whom manufacturing from home doing things like hand stitching clothes was more productive than the assembly line. But this was clearly a very small subset.
But the economy engages in creative destruction and work from home is a more fit survival strategy for both employees and businesses. I'm sure there will continue to be some niche operations that continue to have expensive offices in the future, but it is very strange that so many large modern businesses are trying to set themselves up to be the niche operation instead of the clear future of the industry. If I were a shareholder, I would be very mad at these return to work directives.