Remote, Hybrid, or in Office… How to Decide Which is the Best Fit for You

Only a few years ago, remote work opportunities were considered luxuries reserved for high-level office workers and executives. With the pandemic, the work-from-home model became the norm. Now that companies are getting back to business, many workers face the choice between remote, hybrid, or in-office working models and deciding which work style is best.

Each workstyle has its advantages and disadvantages to consider before you decide which is the best fit for you.

In-Office

In the traditional workplace model, office-based jobs require being on-site in an office. As an employee, you have your own dedicated workspace. Collaboration is in-person and on-site as well. Office-based jobs typically run set hours and you get to leave work at work when your shift ends.

Pros of Office Work:

  • In-person collaboration builds stronger teams and encourages group learning
  • On-site meetings with clients appear more professional when staff is also on-site
  • A professional, formal office can improve efficiency and productivity

Cons of Office Work:

  • Commuting to work may increase the likelihood of lateness or absence
  • Difficulty in maintaining healthy work/life balance, including scheduling health appointments, cost of childcare, etc.

Remote

Remote work is now recognized as a dependable and viable option for many businesses. Remote work allows employers to get top-notch performance from their employees, while employees have more flexible schedules, healthier work/life balance, and less burnout.

Pros of Remote Work:

  • Improved work/life balance, including greater flexibility around work hours
  • Reduction in absences and sick days
  • Improved overall job satisfaction

Cons of Remote Work

  • Lack of team formation and cohesion among employees
  • Potential increase in distractions where home life overlaps with work-life
  • Risk of not leaving work “at work”, and feeling the need to do things after hours

Hybrid

The hybrid workstyle brings together the best of both the office and remote worlds. It offers the advantages of an office hub while providing remote-style flexibility.

Pros of Hybrid Work

  • Increases productivity while reducing in-office stress
  • Provides a balance of in-office structure plus remote flexibility

Cons of Hybrid Work

  • Coordinating with other employees can be difficult when everyone has different “in-office” days
  • Transporting equipment from office to home increases the risk of damage and the potential cost of repair or replacement
  • Building team relationships may be more difficult when you only see coworkers a few times a week

Conclusion

Choosing the best work style for you means considering the advantages and disadvantages of the three different types of work models available today. Whether you thrive in-office, prefer the flexibility of remote, or are most successful when balancing the two, you can find a position that’s right for you.

Ready to find your next in-office, remote, or hybrid role? Career Foundations can help!