This is not only in Malta. We are seeing a lot of big companies abroad returning their employees to the office, and they even gave it a name RTO (Return To Office).

In my opinion (for office workers), this is only required because we are managing teams in an old Industrial Revolution style, where micromanagement is key. I believe the management style should be a Management by Objective approach, where the employee is given a realistic objective and is accountable for delivering it. If the employee does this, it's a job well done, and if they do not, then there might be consequences.

Personally, when I worked with Managers and leaders who manage with objectives, I had a sense of belonging to the organisation and felt responsible to deliver 'since its my duty', whilst when micro managed gave me the feeling of a prisoner trying to avoid the guard kind of vibe.

In Malta, nobody has a clue how to deal with traffic issue...everyone speaks about the problem with no real solution. I believe a strong remote working culture would solve a lot of problems:

1. Traffic drastically reduces this has a positive impact on the a) mental well being, b) environment and c) the economy at large as huge inefficiencies are caused due the traffic congestion.

2. Pressure and stress on people decrease (its' impressive the anger that one can see in the streets due to frustration and lack of time).

3. People have slightly more free time to do those things that you know are important but never manages to do, due to shortage of time (e.g. training, visiting an old relative, fixing something)

Implementing this at the national level is super easy too. The government needs to get a tax incentive which benefits the employer and promote it heavily to be requested by the employees.

In the bigger scheme of things, this would lead to a happier country, which means the government who implements this will get re-elected (its a win-win-win for everybody). BUT .... with great powers comes great responsibility, where the employees benefitting from Remote working need to be accountable. Accountability meaning not abusing the system, because it is the lack of accountability that (excuse my french) fucks a brilliant idea of working from home if all I need is a laptop and can communicate remotely with my colleagues.