Layoffs are unpopular so companies are tightening the belt by making the working conditions less hospitable.

Return to office is designed to have employees leave willingly so they can reduce headcount without making employees feel unsafe about budget cuts.

What they don’t seem to care is top performers are the ones most able to move to another job with better working conditions.

With a trim at the bottom by letting go of low performers and encouraging top performers to leave they are just trending toward mediocrity.