Workers resisting the office grind are suddenly lonely at home

Covid lockdowns made many employees realise that it’s better to feel lonely at home than come back to a ‘toxic work environment’, according to Parker, founder of Bold, a co-working company in London. — AFP

Three years after the pandemic closed down offices around the world, the remote-work revolution has morphed into a tug-of-war between frustrated bosses and fed-up staff.

While workers don’t want to give up flexibility, leaders want teams back to boost collaboration and avoid a productivity slump. The impasse is the latest phase in a high-stakes battle that’s putting careers, profits – and mental health – on the line. It’s also prompting conversations about how to move beyond binary debates over “working from home” and “return to the office.”