North Carolina is among the top regions in the U.S. for telework. According to data from the 2023 U.S. Census Bureau, Raleigh stood out as the No. 2 city nationwide for remote work, with 24.5% of employees working remotely. Charlotte ranked No. 5 at 21.5%, while Durham secured the No. 9 spot with 19.5%. These statistics highlight the growing trend of remote work in North Carolina, reflecting that the region’s increasing embrace of flexible work arrangements is here to stay long after the pandemic. In 2024, hybrid work has emerged as the most popular form of telework among remote-capable employees, with 53% a mix of on-site and remote work. Hybrid work schedules have eclipsed full-time remote work, which now accounts for 27% of employees. Meanwhile, 21% of employees remain in exclusively on-site roles.

Recently in 2024, Stanford economist Nicholas Bloom and his colleagues published a study in Nature examining the impact of hybrid work schedules on employee performance and organizational outcomes. The research sought to determine whether hybrid work affected productivity, promotion opportunities, and job satisfaction compared to full-time in-office schedules.

They found that hybrid work did not compromise productivity or hinder career advancement, with most employees reporting no change; few reported slightly more (or slightly less) productivity. Additionally, hybrid employees reported higher job satisfaction, and compared to in-office employees, less had resigned by the 2 year mark. These findings provide compelling evidence that hybrid work is an effective model for maintaining productivity while enhancing employee well-being and retention.