It's been said on all-hands calls. "RTO is all about returning to our culture." That culture is fear and intimidation as a workforce reduction tool, confirmed.
I received a Band 2 verbal for working only 2 days in the office one week last month, a week I had a cold and fever and worked from home a few days. When I apologized and said if it should happen again I'll use my accumulated Occasional Absence leave, it was explained to me in a condescending tone that using sick time would have made no difference, as it would be only two days in office for that week, thus unacceptable and in violation of the directive.
There you have it: Even with sick days available, your only options are to come into the office sick or be disciplined for violating "Workplace Excellence" mandates. They would rather you be in-office while sick than take advantage of the ability to WFH a single unplanned day. This can't be a draconian power policy only; it's a planned Responsible Growth program to force attrition, coming from BM himself.
I can't wait to hear it again. I'll be ready to call legal counsel in response to being disciplined for using my accumulated sick leave.