Presence does not equal perfomance. Good managers and leaders focus on results, managing based on delivery not on where their employees happen to be sitting for 8 hours every day.
Her actions here are a sign of a management culture that has lost control of it’s workforce, but represent a desperation measure (and likely an overreaction) to fix the problem at the expense of morale and loyalty.
It wouldn’t surprise me at all if this were an attempt to renew the culture and workforce through “voluntary” attrition that can allow fresh blood to be brought in. Very high risk, but also very high potential reward.
You are right, presence does not equal performance but there is something that comes with being present that has value. The interactions between teams of employees can be critical to the health of the business. I have seen so much abuse of this policy and so little done about it that I can’t believe it doesn’t have an impact on the company as a whole. It also impacts the morale of those who are in the office that recognize the abuse. There’s nothing like being in a meeting listening to someone’s kids screaming in the from the backseat of their car. Creates a really productive atmosphere for sure.
I have no problem with a ‘work at home’ policy if that’s what a company wants for some employees.
I have a big problem with the Entitled Generation. They feel they are entitled to the freedom to make their own rules about everything. Spoiled brats, many of them. If they don’t like the burden of coming into the office - they can quit.