Changing gears, because a lot of discontent is being thrown around here and although i dont agree with what is going on with the org, i have spent the last few years helping my peers out whenever i get the chance. TLDR version: be ready for anything, and prepare yourself/your team for whatever happens
IF IT DOES GO DOWN:
Know that it isnt just layoffs, it is being labeled as a "disruption". there will be job and team re-alignments so even if you didnt get let go, you still could be impacted with a new leader, a new team and maybe even new job requirements. Be prepared for this change that comes and ask yourself "if my job changes, do i want to stay?"
AFTER IT GOES DOWN
Aside from re-alignment, there is another disruptor on the horizon come january 2nd. If you are okay going into the office, thats fine. However understand a lot of people within the org are not, be it for personal or professional reasons. Maybe their entire team is in another state, and the idea of spending time in traffic twice a day just to sit on video calls doesnt really motivate them.. So, even after the dust settles from the first disruption, will you want to be here after the second?
THE BEST TIME TO START WAS YESTERDAY
If you do see the company changes not being something you want to be a part of. Please, start now. The job market is tough, and come november december it will get tighter (not a lot of hiring happens round the holidays). Interviewing will become increasingly difficult come january when you are in office and cant really sneak away for that 45 min video interview like you can now. SO brush up that resume, update your linkedin and use the downtime to get your name out there. Take control of your career future, dont let the company dictate it for you.
DO IT FOR YOUR TEAM
Not going to use any buzzword here, but dont give up on your job. Not for the company, or walt or ANYONE responsible for the atrocious way they are handling this whole thing (RTO and Layoffs). Do it for your friends and coworkers. Because the less work you do now, the more you slack off, the more work they will need to do later. Make sure your team is set up for success whenever you go be it voluntarily (like what OP is trying to do) or if involuntarily (which OP is most likely going to have done). Because some people might stay, whether it is out of necessity or desire. They will be here when you are gone and picking up the pieces of what is left. Keep doing your job for them.
It is a friday. Go into the weekend and put this out of your mind. Come in monday and start making the moves YOU want to make, and dont let the company make them for you.
Best of luck everyone.