5 red flags to watch for when searching for remote jobs

Want to work remotely? Look out for these 5 warning signs on your job hunt

October 21, 2024 5:30 AM

A woman looks down at her laptop in frustration. It's daytime in what looks like a home office.

As more companies return to the office full time, it seems like job seekers may have their work cut out for them if they want to find remote or hybrid positions. But finding a flexible job isn't as simple as applying to jobs that promise you can work from home.

According to the remote job search platform Flexjobs, 95% of workers prefer a flexible work arrangement, whether that means being fully remote or hybrid. Meanwhile, ResumeBuilder found that nine in 10 companies will enact return-to-office mandates in 2025. Notably, their data also showed that half of the companies that have already enacted mandates have no plans to increase the number of days employees have to come into the office, while a third of employers do plan to ask employees to come in more often.

This means many employees are bound to seek out more flexible job opportunities as their schedules begin to resemble their pre-pandemic work lives. However, not every remote or hybrid job posting will be true to its word, says Keith Spencer, career expert at Flexjobs.

"As job seekers evaluate opportunities that align with their work preferences, it's important to be mindful of potential warning signs that a company may not be as flexible as it seems," he says. "If a company hasn't established an official hybrid or remote policy, has inadequate resources in place to facilitate remote communication, experiences high employee turnover or displays a lack of trust in its employees, it could indicate a potentially toxic hybrid workplace."

Spencer notes that an ideal hybrid policy would encourage employees to work from home, and recognize and reward progress regardless of whether an employee was frequently in the office. Job seekers on the hunt for flexible roles should make sure they flag vague language around a company's hybrid work policy and ask hiring managers to clarify any important missing details.

Here are five warning signs that a flexible job opportunity will fall short of expectations, according to Flexjobs:

The hybrid policy lacking

A formal hybrid work policy should include how many days employees can work from home, if workers are required to stay the full day once in the office, and whether they need to work online at all times when working from home. If the written policy in the job posting does not address these points, job seekers should ask during the interview process.

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Work-from-home hours are strictly supervised

While remote work often allows employees to integrate their personal lives into their work day — like picking their kids up from school or going to the doctor's — not all employers may view it that way. Job seekers should know if they're expected to work specific hours from home, or if there's room for flexibility in their day-to-day schedule. This stipulation can completely transform an employee's experience.

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"A significant number of working professionals are seeking greater work-life balance," says Spencer. "And the flexibility hybrid work offers can enhance not only that balance, but also job satisfaction and overall well-being."

Managers and senior leaders work in the office

If entry and mid-level employees are the only ones who consistently work from home, then it may spell trouble for job seekers hoping to grow within the company. Additionally, if leadership doesn't seem enthusiastic about remote work, it may indicate that the company's hybrid policy is on thin ice.

In-office workers are typically more recognized for their performance

During interviews, job seekers can ask hiring managers or their potential new manager how employees are recognized and rewarded for their performance. Essentially, before workers sign on to a new company, they should know how success is defined — if they get the hint that being in-office is part of the equation, they may want to look elsewhere.

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"An ideal hybrid policy emphasizes work-life balance, and allows and encourages employees at all levels to work in a hybrid capacity," says Spencer. "It recognizes and rewards success regardless of time spent in the office and ensures clear and consistent expectations for team collaboration."

Want to work remotely? Look out for these 5 warning signs on your job hunt

The hybrid policy lacking

Virtual communication is not the go-to

Work-from-home hours are strictly supervised

Managers and senior leaders work in the office

In-office workers are typically more recognized for their performance