The union is probably the reason. Pretty hard to have a strong united culture when everybody is at home reading the NYT about how Google is evil.

It's easier to think of Google as good when you face your coworkers, but when they are behind avatars and just text, it's easier to fall for the propaganda of the NYT et.al

You're going to have to walk me through this logic, because to me it reads as:

1. Alphabet Workers Union exists.

2. ???

3. Google is forced to return all its workers to in person work during a global pandemic.

I really don’t understand this argument.

The reason Google is bringing people back is to have a united culture, which they need because the NYT is naughty? Not following here.

I exaggerated with the union comment, but my point was that Google is now having a very divided workforce and having them work remotely is not going to help, especially when the outside world they read (e.g. NYT) is all about blaming Big Tech for everything.