Moreover, “deep work” is a bullshit claim. Working solo long sessions without communicating is not an indication of… anything, really. The moment “deep work” becomes a trend, some idiot will start measuring it, making it yet another counterproductive way to torture people.

Measure business outcomes and implement changes that don’t fall victims to Goodhart’s law. If a director can think of a way to game a measure, workers will think of ten.

The problem is, productivity is probably the only language these sickos would understand. How confident of you to think "quality of life" is even in their dictionary.

This probably isn't the case for you but for some people being forced to leave the house and socialise is essential for their wellbeing. They may hate it, and may not even realize it, but going somewhere they dread is often better for them than wasting away at home.

You can’t convince the MBAs to allow remote work without talking about productivity. It’s definitely relevant.

The more you're required to be there, the higher the percentage of bullshit work, in my experience. If you have actual work, they won't care, as long as it gets done. If it's all bullshit, they need you to be there, because it's not about the work, at all.

meetings too even when wfm.

I reckon I put in 5hrs / week of absolutely completely pointless meetings when I don't speak, there are no outcomes for me, any outcomes don't affect me, but I'm worried if I ask not to go people will think I'm slacking off.

In office: We will decide which meetings you attend. Pay attention to me, I'm important!

WFH: You will decide whether or not the meeting is even visible.

In office workers do that too. And also, taking a break at a convenient time is much less detrimental to productivity than an interruption at a random time.