The great post-pandemic pay debate: Should where you work affect your salary?

As the coronavirus pandemic ebbs and vaccination rates rise across the U.S., one question is top of mind for employers and employees who have worked remotely for the last 16 months: When — and how — will we ever return to the office? 

The approaches companies are taking are all over the map, from a return to full-time office hours to having employees continuing to work remotely in perpetuity. Some corporate leaders are sounding the clarion call for people to come back, arguing that in-person collaboration is essential to organizational culture and even dismissing those who prefer to work remotely as lacking drive or ambition.  JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon is one staunch advocate of bringing employees back, saying that working exclusively from home hamstrings younger workers, who benefit from face-to-face mentorship from more seasoned professionals.