EDITOR’S PICK

In Hybrid Work, Benefits and Drawbacks Will Vary

Just as there are differing likes and dislikes, preferences and needs and what place to travel to on vacation —people have very personal preferences about whether to work in an office, work remotely, or a combination of the two. Hybrid work is seen as a compromise, but then comes the question of how many days in the office versus remote, and if there are drawbacks to working remotely. 

According to our cover story, which highlights the results of a survey run by AMA/MCE, hybrid work can affect career advancement. While hybrid work is especially valued by mid-career women (who are dealing with the burden of family and household duties), there are meaningful differences between how men and women are benefiting from this work arrangement. For example, far more young men than women are significantly more likely to derive key benefits from in-office work. 

As other authors in this issue state, there are ways to overcome these hybrid work discrepancies and good reasons for doing so. Meg Sullivan writes that remote work is an imperative for women, as the flexibility it offers is essential, and women will outperform others if given the room to produce in their own way . Samantha Goldman addresses the disconnection women can suffer with remote work and never seeing anyone in person, and urges them to make in-office days meaningful with networking and making sure the people they need to advance projects with are there. And Rhonda Dibachi says virtual work platforms can blunt unconscious gender bias, especially in the tech industry, by providing a gender-neutral playing field. 

Hybrid and remote work are not going away. AMA/MCE continues to research ways to improve training and teaching in this environment, to help companies meet their present and future needs.