I wonder how work culture will devolve from this kind of idea.. If I had a company, I'd much rather that my employees generate value, rather than "looking busy" and "working hard"
Those playing that game are usually managers using employees for the "perception" game and office politics/justifying their own position. It's nonsense. My last manager was this type and was a big advocate for everyone returning to office, likely for playing this game.
indeed, but if companies start to require the actually-productive employees to participate in this game, and incentivize them based on that participation, things will look bleak.. might even be difficult squeezing any work in between those long sessions of looking busy.