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February 14, 2025
Key Takeaways
Choosing between remote and office-based roles involves more than convenience — your working style, priorities, and role type all matter. There’s no one-size-fits-all; the “best” depends on your needs.
In the midst of the pandemic, many companies adapted to the restrictions by allowing their employees to work from home. The results were staggering. Not only were many roles very easily carried out remotely, but staff actually found this preferable to heading into the office.
It’s easy to see why remote work often wins over office-based roles. Employees can cut out the commute time, they can handle home commitments with ease, and they often find they can achieve a healthier work/life balance as a result.
As restrictions were eased, offices reopened but appetite for returning was weak. While some people missed the opportunity to get out of the house and mingle with their co-workers, others resented having to give up their home working arrangements.
It also became clear that being on-site wasn’t really a requirement for many jobs. The only reason employers wanted their employees back in the office was that it made it much easier to keep an eye on what they were actually doing.
So how does this apply to the IT sector? Particularly in the South West of England? Many IT professionals relocated to the South West during the pandemic to make the most of the cheaper house prices and access to green space. They’re now facing difficult decisions as employers are demanding workers come back to the office.
In this guide, we’re looking at the pros and cons of remote versus office-based IT jobs, and how you can leverage this information to maximise your career potential at any stage.
| Aspect | What to Consider |
|---|---|
| Commute vs Time | Remote saves travel time; office roles require travel but can offer clearer separation between work and home. |
| Collaboration | Office offers spontaneous interaction; remote requires tools and good process to replicate teamwork. |
| Role Requirements | Roles with hardware, onsite security, or physical infrastructure often need in-office presence. |
| Flexibility & Lifestyle | Remote offers flexibility for home commitments; office can offer separation and routine. |
| Opportunities | Being open to remote, hybrid, or office-based broadens what jobs you can access. |
Remote work helps to drive down overheads for employers and can make employees more productive, provided there is trust. In situations where employees feel micromanaged, it can harm productivity and erode the benefits of working from home.
For IT workers, there is a strong case for remote work. Those who typically work alone won’t miss out on a lack of collaboration, and hybrid working may be introduced to help alleviate any boredom or isolation that may be experienced.
There are some roles in IT that cannot be completed remotely and employees need to be on-site. Roles dealing with security will often be difficult to carry out remotely without the use of robust firewalls. And even then, this can be counterproductive if it leaves the organisations vulnerable to threats.
Likewise, anyone working in a collaborative team might benefit from face to face contact with their colleagues. Solving problems often occurs in organic ways in an office environment and it cannot alway be replicated in Zoom calls or Slack chats.
And finally, any IT professional dealing with hardware will naturally need to be on-site. There is no way to complete this type of role remotely, but there may be a case for making it a hybrid role.
Remote Advantages
More control over your schedule, no commute, and improved work/life flexibility make remote work very attractive.
Office Strengths
Face-to-face collaboration, onsite resources, and clearer boundaries between work and home are strong benefits of office-based roles.
When searching for a new role in IT, you might be wondering if remote working or hybrid working is something that you should hold out for. Whether companies allow this type of arrangement will largely depend on their company culture.
Those that value collaboration and face-to-face interaction are likely to insist on in-office commitment, while those that are more free in their thinking are more likely to be open to remote and hybrid arrangements.
Ultimately, whether you search for a remote only or an office-based role will be down to your personal preferences.
Think about your current priorities and how your employment fits into this. If you need flexible working to be able to keep up with parenting commitments, then it’s more likely to be non-negotiable.
However, if the right role is able to provide you with access to childcare or a workplace creche, you might be more open to this type of opportunity. Many parents appreciate the opportunity to get out of the house and into the office as a way to break up the day-to-day challenges of parenting.
It’s certainly true that candidates who are flexible in this respect will have a wider choice of roles available to them. So, while remote working might be ideal, it could be something that you are willing to compromise on in the short-term.
Curious about which setup suits you best—or looking for IT roles that fit your preferences? Browse our available jobs.
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