"It's okay as long as you willingly participate in the theater and power dynamic."

The problem isn't really remote as much as employers having the ability to grossly change working conditions on a whim with no worker recourse. C-level doesn't have any proof on site is a superior operating model, they feel it is, and they believe that's good enough to call the plebs back.

Who was the last person you knew who gave up substantial power willingly?