Once upon a time, a typical working arrangement consisted of going to an office for 40 hours a week. Remote work was a relatively rare perk that few companies (in select industries) offered, or an arrangement that workers had to push hard to negotiate for. Then the pandemic forced many white-collar professionals to do their jobs from their homes, swapping office cubicles for kitchen tables and meetings in conference rooms for Zoom calls. When much of the world was under stay-at-home orders, remote work suddenly became the norm.

But as vaccines became available—and with the easing of lockdown restrictions—companies started to ponder possible return-to-office plans and put in place their long-term visions for work beyond the pandemic. While there’s no consensus on what the optimal post-pandemic work arrangement looks like, companies are, by and large, choosing between three options. First, there are companies, like Twitter, that are allowing their employees to work remotely on a permanent basis, if they want to. Others are opting for a hybrid model—Amazon, for example, announced it would require employees to work in the office for at least three days a week and otherwise give them the flexibility to be remote up to two days per week. There are also companies—like Goldman Sachs and JP Morgan Chase—that plan to go back to a full in-office operation as soon as it’s safe to do so. (Full disclosure: Goldman Sachs, Twitter, and Amazon have current profiles on The Muse.)

While some companies are leaving the decision to employees (and redesigning their work systems and policies to cater to both remote and in-office employees along with those who choose a hybrid schedule), others are a lot more prescriptive about what is and isn’t acceptable. And plenty of companies fall somewhere in the middle. Determining what your options are and which one would be ideal for you ultimately depends on your employer’s policy and flexibility, the nature of your work, and your individual preferences and priorities.

Your work setup can have a critical impact on your performance, so it’s important to consider whether or not your optimal arrangement aligns with your company’s. And if there’s a mismatch you can’t negotiate your way through, you might want to consider looking for a new job at a company that can provide the work setup that works best for you (and you can search for open roles right here on The Muse—and filter to see only remote and flexible roles, if that’s what you’re looking for).

Here are the six factors you should consider before committing to a remote, in-office, or hybrid arrangement.
1. Physical and Emotional Health and Safety
2. Your Job Description
3. Communication Style, Systems, and Policies
4. Personality Traits and Preferences
5. Opportunities for Career Advancement
6. Personal Priorities