They say it's about collaboration and face-to-face interactions - but you're still expected to join your virtual meeting in a private call booth.

So, what's really behind these RTO mandates? If the research shows better work-life balance and productivity when employees have the option to work remotely, what's the big push for the big return? Does work-from-home still exist six years after the pandemic?

Host Catherine Jette speaks to Kathy Chow, a Toronto-based writer who wrote a piece called "Welcome Back to the Office. You Won’t Get Anything Done.". The two discuss corporate culture's inability to prioritize the employee, how women are disproportionately affected by RTO mandates, and how surrounding suburbs of big cities can fall victim to the return to the office.

We love feedback at The Big Story, as well as suggestions for future episodes. You can find us:

Through email at [email protected] 

Or @thebigstory.bsky.social on Bluesky