Hybrid work has been widely adopted since 2020, affording people newfound flexibility in where to do their jobs. However, productivity at work requires more than just picking where to work - it’s about knowing what to do where. With offices shifting in purpose, understanding where to work to get the best outcome from specific tasks requires consideration.
Remote Work: The Deep Work Sanctuary
Remote work is perfect for tasks that demand focus, and don’t require a lot of input from others. Home offices or other quiet locations offer the kind of solitude which can really benefit deep work, providing an environment to work without the interruptions common in the office.
Tasks well suited to remote work include:
Reports and Documentation: Crafting detailed reports or lengthy documents.
Data Analysis: Reviewing metrics or doing precise calculations.
Creative Thought: Often easier in personalized, comfortable settings where you control the noise and environment.
Individual remote client calls: Calls where you are the only participant with others who are also in dispersed locations.
The Office: A Hub for Connection and Creativity
The office in 2025 is less about “traditional” work, that is to say showing up and doing all your tasks in the office, and more about spending time in the office on collaborating with colleagues, driving engagement between people and teams, and improving team energy.
It’s where people come not for quiet focus but for shared experiences and face-to-face interactions. This change has made offices feel less like places for heads-down work and more like dynamic social centers. Understanding what offices offer that remote work cannot is important for companies trying to encourage people back into the workplace, who need to ask themselves “why would I want to come to the office?”.
Ideal tasks for office days include:
Brainstorming and Idea Sessions: Face-to-face discussions spark creativity and encourage those impromptu "water cooler" moments that lead to breakthroughs.
Kick-off and Strategy Meetings: Starting projects or strategic planning in person helps align teams and generate enthusiasm.
Team Building: Since people see each other less frequently, office days are prime time for strengthening relationships, which, while not “productive” in the traditional sense, foster long-term engagement and trust – which can make dispersed colleague engagement stronger.
The Office Has Changed
Offices have become spaces where hybrid workers gather for specific, often social, reasons. They’re buzzing with conversation and interaction because people don’t come in just to “work”—they come to connect. This shift means that while the office is perfect for collaboration, it’s not always ideal for tasks needing deep focus.
It is important to provision a variety of spaces – and then track which of those spaces is really being used by people. What people say they want in an office, and then what they actually use in an office are often not the same!
What makes a Productive Hybrid Schedule?
Plan Purposefully: Reserve office days for collaborative projects or meetings, and use remote days for focused, detailed work.
Set Boundaries: Maintain structure at home for focused work and embrace office social energy for team tasks.
Communicate: Make it easy for colleagues to know your schedule so they can plan collaborative with you effectively.
Leverage Office Energy: Don’t resist the increased chatter—use it for building connections and morale, just be mindful that the office is not where hybrid workers go to maximize their productivity!
Balancing Productivity and Connection
Hybrid work is about strategic choices. Use remote days for focus tasks and office days for the engagement and creativity that come with in-person interaction. The key is planning with intention: harness the strengths of both environments for the best of productivity and collaboration.
Want to learn more about how askAiB helps with hybrid workplace planning and management? We'd love to hear from you! Schedule a call with us.
