If employers really wanted employees to abandon remote work, that would be obviously visible as a significant difference in remuneration.
If some employer is paying on-site workers 20% more than the exact same work for the same company remotely, then I'll believe that they truly want people to be on-site; but if not, then those are just empty words, not real preferences.
On the other hand, I do see employees choosing a lower-paid role/employer just to ensure remote work, so that preference seems genuine.
If employers really wanted employees to abandon remote work, that would be obviously visible as a significant difference in remuneration.
If some employer is paying on-site workers 20% more than the exact same work for the same company remotely, then I'll believe that they truly want people to be on-site; but if not, then those are just empty words, not real preferences.
On the other hand, I do see employees choosing a lower-paid role/employer just to ensure remote work, so that preference seems genuine.