"Are these folks, making multiples of what most of us earn, not able to realize how us common folks would be reacting?"
Yes.
EC members make at the lowest $3M and highest (Walt) at $25M in total compensation per public info. The EC is also comprised of about 80% of the same demographic (white men over the age of 50). I do not know the marital status of these members, but would wager a guess that most did not have to worry about any domestic duties/responsibilities during their career (or currently). Oh, yeah, but Walt did get the ability to work flexible in-office hours when his children were young and he was single. Guess that slipped his mind when it is constantly stated that one cannot advance in their career if they are not in the office every day. The EC needs to be more diverse period.
For those who are likely white male people leaders that respond "stop whining it's happening all across the industry" - the reason for that is Schwab mirrors the demographics of the "industry". There is absolutely no reason outside of laziness/ego of leaders that a company cannot provide flexibility due to commute distance, caregiving responsibilities, personal physical limitations and/or other physical/mental health needs without threatening career advancement. Not everyone is "energized" by going into the office every day. It's 2023, not 1983 - and every time a leader states "I don't see what the big deal is" - I lose respect for them as a leader as this just reeks of Boomer mentality. As others on this board have stated, if they want employees to look through clients' eyes, EC needs to look through the employees' eyes when making policies that directly affect them.
I am Gen X, not Gen Z, but maybe if we started to listen to Gen Z and realize they have some very valid and strong points we'd all be better off. Just saying "that's how it is" or "that's how it's always been" "if you don't like it leave" "su-k it up bu-tercup" - you all sound like my grandfather ... seriously.
I am absolutely infuriated by the managers below EC level who decided to not allow any exceptions because it was "too much work" or they "didn't want the hassle." That is not being a leader and I hope their directs remind them of that.
The messaging and mechanics of the "new policy" plus the closing/downsizing could have been crafted and messaged so much better and still achieve what they wanted. Sadly, it will likely be a long time before the company ever hits a "best workplace" ranking again.