I'm firmly in the remote work camp, you couldn't pay me enough to commute. It would not only ruin my day, but I would be part of the traffic congestion problem (for people who are causally required to be at their worksite).
For the longest time I always chased the job that paid the most, all else be damned. But as I've made more and more, the amount of extra $$ required for me to move has only gone up.
Recently turned down several offers from companies that offered an extra $25k on my salary but required a drug test (I live in Colorado, I'll let that speak for itself) and in-office work. Each time I've asked myself whether the extra cash would be worth giving up the lifestyle that I currently have, a fairly easy going job where I have plenty of time to peruse outdoor activities. The answer has so far been a consistent NO.
I'd rather make $200k and be happy than make $300k and be miserable.
Long story short, they refused to pee in cups, went to AMD and the result was either the Athlon XP or AMD 64. Either way, it was one of the generations that blindsided Intel, and led to lots of anticompetitive behavior.
The story isnt about them smoking pot, or whatever. It's about treating employees with respect.
I suspect mandatory return to office will create a few dozen of these stories.
I make way less than $200k, so yes please. Show me the 200k fully remote full stack web developer job.
Only problem is it has to be open to hiring me living in Canada.