Is remote work going away or is it evolving into something smarter?

Remote work gave people a new way to live and work. Many professionals left the office behind and found more freedom in their jobs. But now, some governments and large companies are starting to pull back. There is an ongoing discussion featuring companies that support remote work and those that do not. Some are asking people to return to the office, and it is starting to affect how remote work is seen in 2025.

 Across the public and private sectors, return-to-office mandates are making headlines. Governments are rolling back remote work for federal employees. Big companies are following suit, asking teams to return to offices full-time. It feels like a return to the past, but not everyone agrees.

Let’s not jump to conclusions, not all evidence supports the shift. While some leaders see in-office mandates as a fix, others see a risk. Most importantly, the numbers don’t back the panic. So, is remote work going away?

The numbers are still in favor of remote work

Let’s rewind a little bit and look at the numbers. In our 2022 report, over half of remote employees reported working more hours than in-office peers. In addition, a Stanford study even found a 13% productivity increase among remote workers. Not convinced yet? According to Pew Research Center, many workers are willing to quit if denied remote flexibility. The data is consistent and leads to one simple conclusion: people are working hard from home. And yet, we’re seeing policies that assume the opposite.

So if productivity isn’t the issue, what is?

It seems that some leaders still believe that working in the office brings more control and structure. Others may feel more comfortable managing people they can see. But these reasons may not reflect what today’s workforce wants or needs.

Many employers still see value in remote flexibility

Millions of remote workers rely on location freedom, and they feel more productive about their new lifestyles. While this wave of change could mean relocation or rethinking their strategy altogether, it is not expected to hit the majority of remote workers around the world.

There’s more good news. Leaders at companies like Stripe are pushing back, calling out the flaws in blanket return-to-office mandates. They point out that strong remote policies help hire better talent, reduce turnover, and solve problems traditional offices never could, including the “two-body problem” faced by dual-career couples.

They’re not the only ones. Many firms are doubling down on hybrid models, combining flexibility with intentional structure. In these setups, people go to the office for certain tasks but work remotely for the rest. This gives companies the control they want while letting employees keep their freedom.

Remote work isn’t going away. It’s just being redefined. That means the opportunity is still here for digital nomads, global teams, and professionals who thrive outside the office model. If we adapt to it, we will still have the freedom we need.

Author: Onur Demirkol \ May 2025