Hybrid work is the future. Here’s what you need to know.

This article was updated on December 5, 2023.

You’re likely familiar with hybrid work and the communication tools that come with it. After all, it has been the rage over the past three years after the move to hybrid work as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. But you probably still want to know where the job market is going – and how these recent workplace changes will evolve. Let’s explore a few of those changes and what you can expect.

So, what should you expect from a hybrid workplace, and what is reasonable to request? Well, as you might’ve guessed, it will depend on where you work.

My best advice as you navigate the job boards is first to figure out what works for you and your family. You have a variety of options — with many companies even offering fully remote positions. Working remotely opens up opportunities in other cities, but it also makes it harder to connect with co-workers.

Also, remote work can help you achieve a better work-life balance and offer greater flexibility for individual work preferences. On the other hand, having your home as your workplace can make it even harder to disengage from work when 5 o’clock strikes.

I personally prefer remote work. That said, I would be open to the right hybrid work situation. I like to have time to collaborate with my teammates – whether in person or during a videoconference. But I also want time to hyperfocus in my own space.

How to be productive and maintain a work-life balance in a hybrid work environment

When it comes to remote or hybrid work, the word that comes up constantly is productivity. Workers want to make sure they stay productive. Employers want to know how productive workers actually are.

According to the Society for Human Resource Management, the key to striking the right balance for employers in a hybrid workplace is to focus on the work employees complete during the day rather than count the hours they’re online. Offering support and appreciation can help keep hybrid employees motivated no matter if their workplace is an office building or their kitchen table. And if the work gets done, does it matter when or where it happens?

Just as important as productivity is work-life balance. In a 2022 study on hybrid work, almost 80% of respondents said their lives were positively affected by less time in the office. Things like spending less time in traffic – and more time with friends and family – attributed directly to respondents’ better quality of life. 

That’s great in theory. But reality offers a slightly different challenge: hyperconnectivity. Your company likely provides you with a variety of electronic devices to keep in touch: a mobile phone, laptop and tablet. Maybe you have just one or maybe all three. How do you fight the urge to not check emails on your days off? How do you “leave work at work” when the tools to stay connected are in the home office right across the hall?

Achieving this balance will likely be a two-way street. You’ll need an employer that trusts you enough to work remotely, at least part of the time, and offers the right tools to support your productivity. You’ll also need self-discipline to create healthy boundaries between work and life — and then stick to them.

There is plenty of evidence to support this leadership approach. The World Economic Forum’s 2023 Future of Jobs Report says companies are looking to invest in “learning and training on the job and automating processes … to deliver their organization’s business goals in the next five years.” So, it helps to be the person leading that training effort. 

From recognizing opportunity to understanding what best fits your life, today’s hybrid work environment offers plenty of promise for employees. The trick is to know what you want — and then find the employer that can support it. Then you can step out in faith and offer your diverse talents to the world.