I'm not sure it's right to say they did anything here. All the article reports is that an unspecified Google VP made an offhand remark that no changes are expected to their 3-2 hybrid schedule - which used to be Amazon's schedule until Andy Jassy made an unexpected change.
I'm not sure what you mean. As far as I understand, Microsoft also hasn't made any recent changes to their hybrid work policy or unconditional promises regarding its longevity. (I've heard of a _conditional_ promise from an Azure exec that hybrid work will stay unless productivity requires them to get rid of it.)
You mean the ones that don't want to go to the office? What's the point of taking in talent, getting them up to speed at Google and then having them leave after 12–18 months?
The general opinion here on HN seems to be that the most talented that can easily land a new job are the first to leave - might be a good time to skim the cream of the crop, even if for 12-18 months. Who knows, many might even stay when every other major company moves to RTO.
