Across much of the country, employers are seeing workers steadily return to offices, with attendance climbing closer to pre-pandemic levels. But in California, the shift is happening far more slowly. Major hubs like Los Angeles and San Francisco report office usage still below 50% of capacity, despite companies tightening remote policies and urging employees to show up in person.Several factors explain the lag. California’s notorious traffic and long commutes remain a major deterrent, making remote work a more attractive option. In addition, industries that dominate the state’s economy—such as tech, media, and entertainment—have been at the forefront of remote and hybrid work models. Flexible arrangements that grew out of necessity during the pandemic have now become part of workplace culture, with many employees unwilling to give them up.Nationally, surveys show employers believe in-person collaboration boosts productivity, innovation, and team cohesion. But critics argue that…..