The return-to-office mandate can actually work in your favor. Here’s why

I came back on my own terms: real connections, fewer hours, and zero patience for desk politics. First, a few companies asked (very nicely) for their employees to come in one day a week. Work from home folks, like me, thought to themselves: Well, okay. One day a week is cool. I can get out of my pajamas and see my work-folk.