How to spot these 10 hybrid work red flags

Hybrid work is becoming the work style of choice for employees and employers alike, due to its compromise between flexibility and RTO mandates. But that doesn't mean it's without its fair share of potential red flags.  

Seventy-three percent of Gen Z and 52% of millennials say that hybrid is their "ideal work arrangement," according to a recent survey from remote and hybrid job insights platform, FlexJobs. But no matter the arrangement, it's important to be able to identify an unhealthy work culture. To do so, FlexJobs shared their ranking of the most common red flags in hybrid workplaces. 

"Hybrid work can provide flexibility and support greater work-life balance," says Toni Frana, lead career expert at FlexJobs. "However if not managed intentionally, it can also intensify the challenging aspects of remote work and harbor a toxic work environment."

Read more: No more crying at work: How to prevent a toxic workplace

Issues around flexibility were a common theme in FlexJobs' list of warnings. Unstructured hybrid policies were the most common red flag, followed by a poor work-life balance. Poor communication around hybrid expectations was also listed as a bad sign: simply talking about  the importance of work-life balance, versus actually being intentional in implementing programs and resources to support it are things employees should be aware of, Frana says. 

"For employees exploring this type of work, it's important to have a good understanding of what the specific hybrid arrangement is at a company," Frana says. "We hope these red flags encourage workers to investigate how employers are approaching hybrid work and make more informed career decisions that support their goals now and in the future."

More traditional red flags common in any type of work arrangement also made the list. For example, FlexJobs still urged employees to be mindful of high employee turnover, a lack of trust in leadership and unclear career growth opportunities. See what other behaviors could be hinting at a toxic hybrid workplace: