It is 100% directed towards laying people off without paying severance. IBM has relocated countless teams and then insisted employees move to be in the same office. When someone refuses, IBM treats them as having quit.
The amusing part: IBM is accelerating the rush to the exits. I received 11 patents the year I left IBM. Presumably they were not targeting me but who knows? Co-location meant I could no longer work remotely on the projects I wanted - especially those with the greatest intellectual challenge. I was suddenly limited to the city where I lived. IBM went from a 400 thousand person company to a 40 person company in terms of opportunity.
Last one out, please turn off the lights.