But for much of the economy where work doesn’t need to be in person, the demand to “return to office” is not rooted in any concern for employees, a large majority of whom want to work from home — not because they are lazy or don’t want to be productive, but because it gives them more freedom and control over their own lives.

So why do some bosses still feel it necessary to prolong the slow and necessary death of The Office? Beats me.

Well, that's the answer. Some bosses don't want their employees to have any freedom or control over their lives.

The Boss wants control over every aspect of their employee's lives: from how early they need to get up, to how long they must sit in a car for on their commute, to when they eat/shit/smoke/stretch, to how long they stare at their computer monitor, to how many useless meetings they can squeeze into each day.

This is only about control, not empty office buildings or productivity or creativity. 100% control over everyone beneath them.