When my career took me from a stressful traditional office setting to remote work over a year ago, it seemed like a dream come true. No commute, no dress code, and the freedom to work from the comfort of my own home. The ultimate work-life balance! I stood strong in my mantra, “You couldn’t pay me enough to go back to an office!”

Now, well into a new hybrid role at a busy public relations and public affairs agency, I’m here to confess: I was wrong.

No one is more surprised than I am. After championing full-time remote work, I’m rediscovering the many benefits of having a physical office and engaging in face-to-face interactions with a supportive team that outweigh many of the creature comforts of working remotely full-time.

The distractions and rigidity of traditional full-time in-office work can be stressful and lead to burnout. It’s one of the main reasons many workers, like me, gravitated toward the flexibility of fully remote work.

In my own experience, the hybrid model offers the best of both worlds. I still enjoy the flexibility of working from home a couple of days a week but am grateful for the structure and work expectations maintained by our in-office days. They act as effective guardrails keeping me on track no matter where I’m working.

Even for someone like me who thrives on independent work and is prone to social burnout, I admit: Nothing compares to interacting in person with colleagues and its positive effects on company culture.

Coming into the office is something I look forward to. I enjoy catching up with my teammates and connecting over what brings us joy and inspires us outside of work: Our families, pets, favorite movies, books, and current passion projects to name a few.

And no one wastes time commiserating over in-office woes. Instead, we relish the chance to speak face-to-face about projects we’re collaborating on, fast-tracking issues and sidestepping miscommunication delays. These genuine connections have helped me feel valued and supported even beyond the walls of our shared office.

In-office days also provide irreplaceable feedback and mentorship opportunities, leading to improved team integration, especially for new hires like me. Getting used to a new team and role has been much easier and faster than when I started as a fully remote worker in my previous position. I’ve picked up new skills quicker and with more confidence, making me feel empowered and appreciated for my work.

In business news these days, productivity in remote work is a hot topic. Varying reports claim that productivity suffers because of remote work, while others defend that productivity levels have stayed the same or increased due to fewer distractions.

Whatever your stance, what can’t be argued is that everyone works differently. For me, the answer lies in flexibility and creating a model that allows the strengths of all employees to shine through. When we all feel valued, self-confidence thrives and so does productivity.

While the perks of fully remote work can be enticing, we cannot overlook the unique and irreplaceable merits of gathering at a physical office, even if it’s on a part-time basis. Interacting face-to-face with colleagues fosters strong relationships, promotes clear communication, and creates opportunities for professional growth, which remote work alone cannot provide. It’s good to be back to the office!

Jenny Alvermann is a writing specialist at St. Paul-based public relations and public affairs firm Goff Public, which recently expanded its footprint to accommodate a growing team in the office.

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