No longer a problem

Turning the world into a case study. Plus, 7 other things worth your time.

Another day, another email inbox filled with messages and press releases talking about one of two things (or both):

• Companies announcing that they’re going to delay mandating that employees return to the the office.

• Consultants and thought leaders who want me to write about their ideas for how to recruit and retain people in the midst of the Great Resignation.

I think we’ve learned that there's no uniform answer regarding whether people have, in fact, been happier or more productive at home—or whether what works for one business might work for another.

Still, a month or two ago, as part of an article for Inc.com, I started asking employers who actually had insisted that their employees return to share with me the arguments they used, and whether they were effective.

Mainly, they fell into three categories:

• The business necessity argument. One founder of a 20-person SAAS company said she realized her employees were less productive remotely, and that it was significantly affecting her bottom …