Toward a Better Understanding of Job Performance When Working Remotely: Evidence, Boundaries, and Trade-Offs

Despite the prevalence and stability of remote and hybrid work, debate persists regarding whether these arrangements help or harm job performance. In this review, we synthesize research on the complex relationship between remote work and performance, focusing on objective and supervisor-rated job performance as well as innovation and creativity outcomes. We then examine theoretical mechanisms and boundary conditions that explain why and when remote work facilitates or constrains performance. Additionally, we provide recommendations for individual employees, managers, human resource departments, organizations, and policymakers aimed at maximizing performance in remote and hybrid work contexts. Finally, we outline future research directions that move beyond simple comparisons of work location to examine how collaboration processes, location–task fit, different forms of hybrid work, and contextual factors are associated with the relationship between remote work and performance.