The debate between “Return to Office” (RTO) mandates and “Work from Anywhere” freedom has largely settled into a middle ground: the Hybrid Model. Most organizations now accept that employees will spend some time in the office and some time at home. However, while this solves the logistical problem of where people work, it creates a new psychological challenge: proximity bias and the rise of “digital presenteeism.”
The Visibility Gap Proximity bias is the unconscious tendency of leaders to favor the people they see physically. The employee who is in the office three days a week might get the choice assignments, the casual mentorship over coffee, and the promotion, simply because they are “top of mind.” The remote worker, who might be more productive but less visible, gets left behind. To compensate for this, remote workers often fall into the trap of digital presenteeism—constantly answering emails instantly, staying active on Slack at all hours, and over-communicating just to prove they are working. This leads to anxiety and burnout.
Structuring the Hybrid Week To make hybrid work successful, it cannot be a free-for-all. Companies are now moving towards “structured hybrid” models. For example, establishing “anchor days” where the entire team is required to be in the office for collaboration, while other days are designated for deep, focused work at home. This ensures that when people commute, they are doing so for a purpose—socializing and brainstorming—not just to sit on Zoom calls in a cubicle.
The Role of Technology Technology must bridge the gap. Conference rooms are being redesigned with “inclusive” video setups that give remote participants equal screen real estate. Asynchronous communication tools are replacing endless meetings, allowing people to contribute on their own schedules. The key to a thriving hybrid culture is trust. Managers must learn to measure output (results) rather than input (hours in the chair). If the work is good and on time, it shouldn’t matter if it was done at a desk in the headquarters or a kitchen table in the suburbs.