Maybe they can unplug from 500+ AQI pollution and spend time with their loved ones and friends in a simulated clean world?
Imagine working for 10-12 hours a day, and you come home to a pod (and a building could house thousands of pods, paid for by the company) where you plug in and relax for a few hours. Maybe a few more decades of breakthroughs can lead to simulated sleep as well so they get a full rest.
Wake up, head to the factory to make whatever the developed world needs.
(holy fuck that is a horrible existence but you know some people would LOVE for that to be real)