Can you believe it’s already been five years since COVID-19 changed the way we work—and gave rise to remote, in-office, and hybrid work as lasting models?
Is Your Work Model Still Working for You?
If you’re reading this, chances are you already have a strong preference about how work should happen, whether that’s fully remote, in-office, or something in between. And in some industries, that decision is largely dictated by the nature of the job. But if you’re in tech, finance, marketing, customer support, or operations, there’s often room to choose.
At HireJustNow, we’ve supported global companies in building teams across all three work models, remote, hybrid, and in-office, right here in South Africa. Initially, we assumed most companies would opt for a fully remote setup when hiring offshore. But surprisingly, we’ve seen a growing number of clients choosing hybrid work or even full in-office setups for their offshore teams.
That’s why we now offer additional support in sourcing office spaces in South African hubs. Even though these teams are thousands of kilometres from their head offices, a dedicated in-office team in a different country often functions just as smoothly (and sometimes more affordably) than an in-office team at home.
Why Some Teams Prefer Each Work Model
If you’re exploring your options, here are some of the most compelling reasons we’ve seen teams choose each model. There’s no one-size-fits-all solution, but understanding the real advantages of each approach can help you make a better decision for your people and goals.
Remote Work
For companies that prioritise flexibility, access to top talent, and cost-efficiency.
Remote setups offer employees the flexibility and autonomy to design their own routines, especially valuable for parents or those who thrive in focused environments. They allow companies to access a much wider talent pool across the country or globe and reduce operational costs significantly by removing office and commuting expenses. For many businesses, remote-first teams also build resilience by being less vulnerable to local disruptions like transport issues or infrastructure failures.
Hybrid Work
For teams who want to combine flexibility with real-world collaboration.
Hybrid models give you the best of both worlds, scheduled in-person interaction for key moments like onboarding or strategic planning, and remote flexibility for day-to-day work. This model works well for cross-functional teams where some roles benefit from quiet, focused time, while others rely more on live collaboration. It also enables hiring from a broader region, while still anchoring team rituals and connections through regular meetups.
In-Office Work
For companies that value face-to-face mentorship, cultural immersion, and fast feedback loops.
The in-office model promotes spontaneous collaboration, fast decision-making, and mentorship, particularly valuable for early-stage startups or complex teams. It’s ideal when onboarding new hires who benefit from observing, asking questions, and learning through immersion. A shared physical space also helps build a consistent team culture, providing rhythm and structure that some employees find motivating.
How to Check If Your Model Still Works for Your Team
So, how do you know if your current model is still working for your team? Without overthinking it, the simplest answer is: just ask them.
If you have a high-trust team, it’s great to host a live discussion around this topic and hear what’s working (and what’s not). But if you’re unsure or want to give space for people to express themselves more honestly, run a quick anonymous survey. Here’s a ready-to-use format you can copy into an email, form, or Word doc:
5-Question Team Survey Template
- What is your current work model? (Remote / Hybrid / In-Office)
- On a scale from 1–10, how effective do you think our current model is? (1 = Not effective at all, 10 = Extremely effective)
- Please share a short reason for your rating above:(Open text)
- What would your ideal work model be? (Remote / Hybrid / In-Office)
- Why would you prefer this model? (Open text)
A Note from Inside HireJustNow – How we use Hybrid Word
Internally at HireJustNow, we currently follow a hybrid model. One of the main reasons is location, one member is based in Hermanus (an hour from Somerset West), while other team members are spread across Stellenbosch, Strand, and Somerset West. This flexibility has been a great fit. For now, Somerset West still has a shared office space because most of the team is nearby, but as our team continues to grow and spread out, we’re open to shifting further toward a remote setup. In that case, we’d likely rotate in-person meetups instead of having a fixed base.
We’re a diverse team, some of us are parents, others are outdoors enthusiasts, and we all value our time. The flexibility to skip traffic, manage our schedules, and collaborate asynchronously has made a big difference. More than anything, we’ve found success because we’re all aligned on the model. When we do get together in person, we make those moments count. We still prefer to do onboarding face-to-face to build trust from day one. While we’re big advocates of hybrid and remote models, we treat this as a journey, not a fixed decision, and we’ll keep revisiting it as we grow.
Final Thought
Whether you’re fully remote, fully in-office, or somewhere in between, what matters most is that your team is aligned and your systems are built to support the model you’ve chosen. We’ve seen all three models work across different industries, as long as the decision is made with intention and reviewed regularly.
At HireJustNow, we believe that regardless of your working model, one thing is universal: the importance of world-class, affordable talent. That’s what we specialise in: helping global companies access exceptional South African professionals through our trusted Employer of Record model.
If you’re exploring which model is right for your team, looking for insight on how offshore teams can operate effectively, or ready to make your first hire in South Africa, we’d love to hear from you. Reach out to our team or book a discovery call. We’re here to support you, and we can’t wait for you to experience the power of South African talent.