A growing number of workers are calling out what they see as the real reason behind mandatory return-to-office (RTO) policies.
One of the most vocal critics is software engineer and YouTuber Joshua Fluke, who didn’t hold back in a recent video titled “RTO Is a SCAM and Here’s the Proof!”
“They don’t want you in the office. They want you off payroll,” Fluke said.
“But if they say that, that sounds bad.”
He argues that companies are using RTO mandates as a way to push employees out without having to pay severance or unemployment, a tactic he describes as constructive dismissal.
Not About Culture
Companies often cite culture, collaboration, and watercooler moments as reasons for bringing workers back in.
But Fluke says that excuse doesn’t hold up.
“Even though I know you moved out to the country for a cheap and quiet family life, it’s time to come back into the office for culture,” he said mockingly.
He went on to highlight how absurd and performative some office rituals have become.
From passing a “tiny mic” around for LinkedIn videos to celebrating interns with donuts in a way he sarcastically described as “getting glazed,” Fluke sees it all as superficial.
“Returning to the office has been a journey of adjustment, laughter, and rediscovery,” he said, quoting corporate messaging.
“Let’s be honest, nothing brings people together like snacks and surprise pizza days.”
Branding Over Work
In one example, Fluke pokes fun at a video from healthcare company Kenvue showcasing its new headquarters.
“The first thing I do every morning is head down Main Street and over to the coffee bar for my daily latte fix,” the employee says in the clip.
“The coffee bar is also home to our Kenvue merch store,” she adds. Fluke ridicules this, saying, “Cool, you can pay your company to be a walking advertisement for them.”
He also takes aim at what he sees as performative workplace culture.
“My favorite part about everyone doing these RTO videos is how when they get to work, they just don’t work.”
‘You Never Have To Leave’
The video also touches on how companies are turning offices into self-contained ecosystems, with everything from gyms to convenience stores, making it so employees never need to leave.
“If that doesn’t say everything you need to know, I don’t know what does,” Fluke said.
“The only thing that’s missing is company money. They call it script.”
He added, “It’s all about the culture here at Kenvue, where you just never have to leave if you don’t want to, or unless we decide it’s time for you to leave.”
Office Life, Rebranded and Recycled
Fluke closes with a critique of what he sees as the hollow nature of modern corporate life.
“Energized for another day of this bleak nonsense where I can go to the store and sit in some different types of chairs… and work on this monitor plugged into my crap laptop,” he said.
While his tone is clearly satirical, Fluke’s message resonates with a growing number of workers who feel forced into office environments that prioritize image over substance.
“RTO is such a meme,” he said. “And I will continue to make videos meme-ing it.”
For now, the corporate treadmill keeps spinning, and Fluke plans to keep calling it out.