The Big Story What's the real reason you're being forced back to the office?
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Jan 23, 2026 Kathy Chow, a Toronto-based writer known for her critiques on workplace culture, dives into the real motivations behind return-to-office mandates. She argues that these policies prioritize managerial control over productivity, despite research favoring remote work. The conversation highlights the disproportionate impact of RTO on women and the frustrating realities of office conditions. They also discuss how suburban businesses and traffic patterns are affected, while exploring how workers resist these mandates, raising important questions about modern workplace dynamics.
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Remote Work Boosted Productivity
- Remote work generally increased productivity partly by saving commuting time and giving people flexibility.
- Kathy Chow says studies and corporate research found net productivity gains and higher worker satisfaction when remote options exist.
Early Jobs Drove Her From Offices
- Kathy Chow recounts miserable early jobs trapped in cubicles and busy offices where she couldn't focus.
- She says those experiences pushed her toward graduate school and away from routine office life.
RTO Disproportionately Harms Women
- Return-to-office mandates disproportionately harm women who carry more childcare responsibilities.
- Kathy Chow notes forced office presence can push women to reduce work hours or leave careers where childcare is unaffordable.