> as anyone who stopped heading into an office four years ago can attest, productivity (typically) falls in remote environments

Hard disagree. I have worked remote 2000-2003 and during the pandemic. Both periods were high productivity for me. If you work for a large company, you have in effect many remote co-workers any way. I don't have any direct co-workers in my office, I perform exactly the same actions from home or the office. Well, I don't wear noise cancelling headphones at home the ventilation is quieter.

Anyway, this article starts from a false premise. Any true conclusions are mere coincidence.