It’s not just the $3.5k cost of a headset. There are recurring costs to maintain the headsets. Even larger than that is cost of converting existing work instructions into the virtual environment and maintaining them. Plus expect push back from some workers, possibly losing some to other companies. And if it’s a union shop, expect them to use the change as leverage in next negotiations.

I would absolutely require more money to strap a chunk of electronics to my face for 8+ hours a workday.