Gnome-shell tries to display the virtual desktop switcher in the overview mode when you are actively using it (have your windows on multiple virtual workspaces). That's good. But it fails to show the switcher if you are on an *empty* second workspace. It shows the switcher in the "collapsed" form. And that is confusing.

See attached screenshot. This screenshot makes people think they are on a single existing workspace (no switcher displayed) and they have no apps running. You have to carefully examine the switcher to find out that you are on a second workspace and there is some application on the first workspace.

This easily happens this way (very frequent use case):
1. run application on first workspace
2. switch to second workspace
3. run application on second workspace
4. close that application on the second workspace
5. voila, you are in the overview mode and it seems you have no app running. confusing

The current algorithm supposes that multiple workspaces are being used ONLY when there are windows on multiple workspaces, and thus doesn't show the switcher otherwise. That is a failed assumption. Multiple workspaces are being used if there are windows on multiple workspaces OR you currently have selected a different workspace than the first one. Please fix the algorithm and show the switcher even in this case.

Thank you.