Remote, Hybrid, Office: Where Do We Stand in 2025?

Do You Remember? One morning we woke up and they told us we’d be working from home "for a few weeks." Those few weeks turned into months... months turned into years... And before we knew it, remote work became the new normal.

At first, it was a bit chaotic: We set up our laptops on the kitchen table, the coffee machine became our office buddy, and showing up to meetings in pajamas didn’t feel so odd after a while.

But then, things changed. Some of us said, "I’m never going back to the office," while others quietly longed for office banter and spontaneous coffee chats. And employers? They started looking for middle ground: hybrid models, flexible hours, office days, work-from-home days...

So where did all this chaos lead us by 2025? • Are offices truly empty now? • Are we still taking meetings from kitchen corners? • Or have we found a new balance?

Today, we’re taking a closer look at the numbers behind these questions. And who knows? As you read this, you might catch yourself wondering once again: "How well have I adapted to remote work?"

The Big Picture: Where Are We Working?

The Deloitte Future of Work 2025 survey gives us a clear snapshot of where we stand in today’s work world.

Globally, 83% of employees work from home at least one day a week. Remote work is no longer an exception – it’s the rule. And get this: about 40% of employees are fully remote, never setting foot in the office.

But here’s the most telling stat: 92% of workers say they prefer working remotely at least a few days a week. In other words, the hybrid model is king.

Fully remote workers remain a strong minority, but hybrid teams are clearly dominating the landscape. It’s the best of both worlds: the collaboration and energy of face-to-face interactions, combined with the flexibility of working from home.

This paints a clear picture: offices aren’t disappearing, but they’re definitely being redefined. They’re becoming spaces for connection, creativity, and collaboration.

In short, hybrid work is the new normal. Flexibility and freedom aren’t perks anymore – they’re expectations.

Choice or Necessity?

Now, here’s where things get interesting. According to the Owl Labs 2023 State of Hybrid Work report, 31% of hybrid or remote workers would consider looking for a new job if their employer required them to return to the office full-time. Even more striking, 6% said they would quit immediately.

Remote or hybrid work isn’t just a "nice-to-have" anymore; it’s a dealbreaker

In the tech world, this trend is even more pronounced. Skilled tech professionals value flexibility highly, and companies risk losing top talent if they can’t provide it.

Put simply: The era of "Come back to the office or lose your job" is over.

We’re in the age of "If you make me come back to the office, I’ll start job hunting."

What started as a temporary solution during the pandemic has now reshaped how we define work-life balance. People aren’t just thinking about how they work – they’re thinking about how they live.

Commuting? Not so appealing.

Having more time for family, hobbies, and personal growth? Priceless.

Flexible work models are now the standard, and companies that can offer that balance are winning the talent race.

Always On: How Connected Are We?

One of the biggest downsides of remote work? Work-life balance.

Buffer’s 2023 State of Remote Work report offers some insight:

• 21% of remote workers say they spend too much time at home, and that it’s one of the biggest challenges.

• 23% admit to feeling lonely.

Remote work brings freedom, but it can also bring isolation and blurred boundaries between work and personal life.

According to Future Forum’s 2025 data, 72% of remote or hybrid employees said they continue working even when they’re sick, instead of resting.

The takeaway?

When everywhere becomes your office, nowhere truly feels like a break.

Sure, working from home offers flexibility, but it also makes it harder to "switch off." This constant connection can lead to burnout and lost motivation over time.

That’s why it’s critical for both employers and employees to create healthy boundaries and sustainable work habits. Remote work can thrive only if we protect our well-being.

Time Zone Wars: The Rise of Asynchronous Work

Global teams come with one inevitable challenge: time zones.

This makes synchronous communication (everyone online at the same time) tough – and that’s where asynchronous work shines.

According to GitLab’s 2025 Remote Work Report, 78% of development teams now operate across multiple time zones.

This has made asynchronous communication a core part of their workflow. Instead of relying on live meetings, teams document processes and communicate in writing, allowing everyone to work on their own schedule.

And the benefits?

• Fewer meetings
• Stronger written culture
• More focused, productive work time

Asynchronous work isn’t just about managing time zones – it’s about giving people the freedom to work when they’re most productive.

This approach is gaining traction beyond tech, too. Post-pandemic, many industries are exploring flexible models that prioritize well-being and productivity.

Asynchronous work might just be the secret ingredient to a sustainable future of work.

Where Are We Headed?

So, what does the road ahead look like?

Full-time office return? Not very likely. Only 12% of companies plan to bring employees back to the office full-time.

That morning commute, the rush to grab coffee, scrambling to make it to the office on time? It’s no longer the norm.

Still, in some industries and roles, physical offices remain essential – especially where face-to-face collaboration is key.

Hybrid models? Welcome to the new star of the show.

Especially in major cities, offices are losing their old meaning. They’re no longer just places to "work," but hubs for connection, brainstorming, and socializing.

Think: "We’re in the office Monday-Wednesday, working remotely the rest of the week."

Hybrid models give both employers and employees what they want: balance.

Because freedom starts with setting healthy boundaries.

Remote hiring? Here’s where the real revolution lies:

78% of employers now hire talent regardless of location.

"You need to be in Istanbul for this role"? That phrase is slowly disappearing.

Now, it’s more like:

• "What time zone are you in?"

• "How fast is your internet?"

• "Can you manage your time independently?"

This shift isn’t just changing how workers operate – it’s transforming employers, too.

Wider talent pools, more diverse teams, broader perspectives...

The world is becoming one big office.

Final Thoughts: Who Sets the Rules?

What has 2025 taught us?

The rules of work are being rewritten.

But this time, workers have a seat at the table.

Flexibility, healthy boundaries, productivity... these aren’t "extras" anymore. They’re foundations.

But let’s be real: is this transformation complete?

Not yet.

We’re still in the early stages.

The next stop?

• More sustainable work models

• Real focus on mental health

• New strategies to ease digital fatigue

And you?

Where do you fit into this picture?

Are you still taking meetings from the corner of your kitchen?

Or sipping coffee in a coworking space?

Maybe you’ve already returned to the full-time office routine?

Take a moment to reflect...