Not from a pay standpoint - but from a stretegic one

Its no mystery that a 100% work from home squad is less effective than an in-person one.

BUT this doesn't factor in motivational factors and biological

Biological Covid is a weaponized virus. A bioweapon. The ultimate double edged cold-war machine. If your workforce is within close proximity, you risk a localized outbreak on-site. Aside from the obvious, this could potentially degrade top talent long-term (long covid actually reduces brain matter). And cause a extreme moral/quality decline in a short span of time.

Motivational I'm seeing previously too-good-to-fail companies teetering on the edge of total collapse by leaning too hard on ignorant ideology. In most cases, there's a extremely sharp turn upon realizization of this towards hybrid compromise. Top talent shuffled around more in 2023 than any other year in the history of the united states, also causing a lot of extremely unexpected retirement (even in the highest of seats/roles).

Ultimately, the best course of action is likely hybrid, but the at-location days musn't be under-invested In other words, if its an office, people need private quarters (not open plans) which reverse all the changes made over the past 2 decades (the elimination of the cubicle). For blue-collar and all other roles, special consideration towards length-of-service, the time requirements should be more lax to account for precautions as there is no profession as at risk of being hit by the bioweapon than blue collar and in-person sales roles.