The fact they resisted even after studies showed hybrid/WFH employees were more productive is telling.
It's about control. I believe power corrupts, and a power imbalance like the worker/boss relationship is even more fucked. Your supervisor and theirs, etc are all cool? That's great, but you can see the potential for abuse is there. You can push back, but then you're risking the entire atmosphere of your future employment, not to mention your ability to eat and have shelter...