The average workday increased during the pandemic’s early weeks (2020)

Some of the pandemic increase in time worked may have been a net benefit to the folks working. A lot of people I know spent at least some of the time they otherwise would have spent commuting working remotely. And, since commuting sucks, ended up happier for it. Anecdotes aren’t data, but this pattern was very common among people I know.

The business got more benefit. Harder to argue it is for the employees.

If the business got more benefit, they would be fighting to keep this setup - and none are.