The Future of Work Is Not As Hybrid As It Was 6 Months Ago

The COVID-19 pandemic didn’t just disrupt how we work — it rewrote the rules entirely. What began as a temporary experiment in remote work has evolved into a permanent shift, reshaping the labor market in ways that are still unfolding. According to the Survey of Working Arrangements and Attitudes (SWAA), a monthly online survey tracking work trends since May 2020, nearly 30% of paid workdays in the U.S. are now spent working from home. That’s up from just 5% before the pandemic — a staggering increase that reflects a new reality: remote work is here to stay.

But this isn’t just a story about working in pajamas or skipping the commute. It’s about a fundamental reimagining of where, when, and how work gets done. And it’s about the tension between what employees want and what employers are willing to offer.

The Pandemic’s Lasting Legacy

Before 2020, remote work was a perk for a lucky few. Then came the pandemic, and suddenly, offices emptied out. Desks became kitchen tables, and Zoom meetings replaced conference rooms. What many assumed would be a temporary fix has turned into a lasting transformation.

By January 2025, the SWAA found that 29% of paid workdays were work-from-home days — a figure that represents nearly 40 years of pre-pandemic growth…