Core Insights - The demand for experienced remote and hybrid technology and professional services personnel is slightly stronger than for in-office positions, despite high-profile return-to-office mandates from companies like JPMorgan Chase and Microsoft [1] Group 1: Demand Trends - Global demand for remote and hybrid professionals increased by 19.8% in Q4 2025 compared to Q4 2024, and by 10.9% for the entire year of 2025 versus 2024 [2] - Demand for similar professionals across all work models, including remote, hybrid, and in-office roles, increased by 19.4% in Q4 2025 versus Q4 2024 and by 10.4% for the full year 2025 versus 2024 [2] - A slight decline in demand for remote and hybrid talent of 4% was noted in the late-year contraction, while the broader experienced market, including in-office roles, showed a larger decline of 4.7% [4] Group 2: Work Environment Stability - Office occupancy in major U.S. markets has recovered from pandemic lows but remains below 2019 levels, indicating a more stable phase for distributed work [5] - Companies are beginning to identify when in-person collaboration is essential and when work can be done remotely, reflecting an emerging equilibrium between remote, hybrid, and in-office work [5] Group 3: Strategic Employment - Firms employing remote and hybrid teams can access larger and more diverse talent pools and hire faster, particularly when scaling or experimenting with new capabilities [7] - The shift towards remote work and AI adoption indicates a more deliberate approach to the future of work, with companies making clearer choices about work locations and technology integration [6]