We've basically been moving to a model where people can work from home for a few decades. We're reached a point where it's not only feasible, but it's senseless to do otherwise for many positions.
And then, suddenly and out of the blue, a lot of CEOs and upper management started demanding that employees go back to the office. There's really no reason to do this; data has proven over and over that people can work more productively from home.
Nobody wants to waste time to work in a noisy, less comfortable environment. Yet the lords and dukes of our day demand that the commoners go back to the office or fine subsistence elsewhere. My impression so far is that it's done mostly to filter compliant employees from the more dangerous "free thinkers" which might question senseless commands.
These years are going to be a fascinating read in future history books.