In Praise of the Office

The Limits to Hybrid and Remote Work

Peter Cappelli, Ranya Nehmeh

• Publisher: Wharton School Press
• Year: 2025
• eBook ISBN: 9781613631942
• Edition: 0
• Topic: Business
• Subtopic: Gestione delle risorse umane
• Index: Business

Five years after the pandemic forced a global experiment in remote work, organizations are facing a critical inflection point. For the first time, we have evidence, drawn from experience and research, on what works and what doesn't.

In their important new book, In Praise of the Office: The Limits to Hybrid and Remote Work, Wharton professor Peter Cappelli and workplace strategist Ranya Nehmeh deliver a balanced, research-based approach to navigating the complex landscape of remote and hybrid work. They provide a fresh perspective on why hybrid models often fail and what organizations must do differently to succeed in this new era—with takeaways that may not be welcome to all.

In this timely book, discover:
+ Why remote work succeeded initially but has become increasingly problematic over time
+ What has been lost with the move away from in-office work
+ The hidden benefits of in-person work
+ How work dynamics post-pandemic have further influenced workplace culture and employee attitudes
+ How career advancement opportunities have changed
+ How new hires are faring
+ How the changes have impacted home life

In Praise of the Office also reveals when in-office works best, when fully remote work works best, and what is required to make hybrid work. Plus, it identifies what aspects of hybrid can do the most damage to employers and employees.

Fast-reading and practical, In Praise of the Office offers all of us—employers and employees alike— the tools and insights to make informed decisions about the future of work, whether navigating a return-to-office initiative, refining hybrid models, or fully embracing remote work. Cappelli and Nehmeh provide leaders with the clarity and direction to build stronger, more resilient workplaces.

Table of contents

• Copyright
• Contents
• Introduction
• Chapter 1: Does It Matter Where We Do White-Collar Work?
• Chapter 2: What We Lose with Remote Work
• Chapter 3: Which Model Is Right for Your Organization?
• Chapter 4: How Management Practices Must Change to Support Remote and Hybrid
• Chapter 5: Rebuilding Social Relationships Wherever You Work
• Chapter 6: Bringing Employees Back to the Office
• Concluding Thoughts
• Notes
• About the Authors
• About Wharton School Press
• About the Wharton School
• About Penn Press