Their ego isn't fed via a virtual world. If they can't see the employee, command the employee to come to their office and stand before their metal desk, they lose something of their ego.
If the boneheads would think they'd empower their folks to work from home.
OR....someone has to be the front line. Son-in-law works to put together vaccines. Can’t do that from home. *eye roll*. Other family members have clearances which don’t include telecommute. Geez.