NASA’s Jet Propulsion Lab (JPL) is pulling the plug on remote work for more than 1,000 employees, telling them they’ll need to come back to the office full-time—or quit. It’s a sharp reversal from pandemic-era flexibility, and it’s bound to ruffle feathers, especially in a field where many jobs can technically be done from home.

Editor’s Note: This isn’t just another "return to office" story—JPL is a major hub for cutting-edge space exploration, and forcing employees back could lead to talent drain or morale issues. It also raises bigger questions about why some institutions are doubling down on in-person work, even when remote setups have proven effective. For science-driven workplaces, losing skilled staff over rigid policies could have real consequences.