Hybrid work model vs. remote work: Which is better for you?

What is the difference between hybrid and remote work models? If you're in a remote job search, you've probably seen postings that use these two similar yet very different terms.

So what do they mean? And is this distinction even important?

Technically, both models allow employees to work from home (WFH). But there are subtle nuances when it comes to schedules, deadlines, co-worker dynamics, and even promotions.

For this reason, in this guide we will talk about hybrid and decentralized forms of work.

Once you know all the details, you can decide which model is right for you. Then you can narrow your remote work search to find companies that meet all of the items on your wish list.

So let's start with a basic definition of each work style before we explore the pros and cons.

This is the main difference between hybrid and remote working models:

A hybrid company allows some employees to work remotely while others work on-site in the office .

How do employees think they should have the opportunity to work from home on some days and in the office on other days? But many entrepreneurs think differently.

Instead, the company decides which employees can work remotely and which must be on site. Employees in sales or IT, for example, can work from home. However, marketing and customer service employees may still need to commute to the office.

A remote company only has employees who work remotely .

All employees work according to the home work model, i.e. H. they work off-site and do not have a central office or headquarters. In a fully decentralized company, employees often work around the world and collaborate across different time zones.

So the question arises: is it better to work for a hybrid company or a fully remote company?

Let's say you want to work in a hybrid WFH company and your position has the green light for remote work. You get all the benefits of working remotely, but you also need to be prepared for:

Prepare for dynamic changes in the team . When some team members work in the office, there is automatically a gap between them and those working remotely.

People who see each other daily tend to form closer bonds and develop camaraderie more quickly simply because they are physically together for several hours a day, five days a week.

Your internal employees may share inside jokes, go to happy hours together, or find out things before you.

So when you're working remotely, you may feel like you're out of the loop or watching from the outside. This can cause not only a feeling of isolation, but also a feeling of missing out (FOMO).

You may feel pressured to stay connected 24/7 via Slack or email just so you can join the conversation and stay informed.

have a similar, less flexible schedule . Working in a mixed company likely means that you will have the same or even similar working hours as your colleagues in the company.

You may be expected to report to work at the same time as your colleagues, so there will be an overlap in everyone's schedule. You may be required to be available for video conferences, brainstorming sessions, etc. during these fixed times without prior notice.

You may even find that the deadlines only fall within these work hours, even though you are working remotely and in a different location.

Maintain synchronous communication . Many hybrid companies still prefer to use a synchronous communication style which means responding to messages immediately and at short notice throughout the day.

This usually ensures that work is completed during office hours. However, such “on-call” can also interrupt your actual working hours.

Work harder to get noticed for a promotion . A hybrid work model can be challenging if you want to advance in your career.

Because remote employees aren't "seen" as often as on-site employees, it can be difficult to get noticed for a promotion or gain recognition from team leaders and supervisors.

You may find that internal employees have more time to talk to their managers simply because they are there. And when an opportunity arises, they may take it before you even know about it.

Now let's compare life as an employee in a completely decentralized company.

With every employee working remotely, here's what you can expect:

More flexible schedules . While there may be overlaps in work schedules, remote workers typically have the freedom to create a personal work-from-home schedule.

As long as employees meet their deadlines, they can work mornings, rotating shifts, or nights. This also means that employees working across different time zones can maintain their local working hours and holidays.

Consistent asynchronous communication . Instead of expecting immediate responses, an asynchronous communication style should be a priority for remote teams.

This involves employees sending each other messages, but they are not expected to respond immediately. Team members need to provide a higher level of detail in their messages so that their colleagues can process the request without further back and forth.

This means you can continue working in your optimal productivity zone without interruptions. And when you need a break, you can check and reply to your messages when you have more time and information available.

The result is that teams waste less time and become more productive, which is a huge benefit.

Virtual watercooler banter . With all employees working remotely, you'll never experience the FOMO that can come with hybrid work.

Conversations with remote team members are moving into the virtual kettle, which typically takes place in messaging tools like Slack, Skype or G-Chat. They are visible to everyone in the company and help to build a friendly relationship despite the spatial and temporal distance.

Leaders are making a special effort to encourage this collaboration with remote team-building activities as well.

Equal opportunities for advancement . If everyone is on equal footing (i.e. working remotely), you should have just as good a chance of getting a promotion as your colleagues in a 100% remote company.

You won't have to compete with internal team members who are physically closer to managers and more visible. Just keep doing your best, let your superiors know that you're interested in taking on more, and prove that you can do it.

Now that you understand the basics, you need to decide:

If you want to work remotely, you may not care whether you work for a hybrid company or a fully remote company. But as you've seen here, there are definitely important differences between the two that you need to consider.

You may find that the hybrid WFH model does not give you all the benefits of remote work and limits you in some areas. On the other hand, working at a company where you work completely remotely offers more freedom, flexibility and social opportunities.

Ultimately, the decision is entirely yours. Think about all aspects of the equation and weigh what is most important.

When you're ready, check out the We Work Remotely Job Board to find your next dream job!