If you’re like most people, you want flexible working conditions, including the ability to work remotely or hybrid. While remote and hybrid work offer many benefits, they may not be the panacea you expect.

A surprising new report shows that the happiness and satisfaction levels of people who work full-time in an office are not significantly different from those of people who have more choice about where they work.

Where you work is a legitimate concern. With the heated debate about where work should be and what is best for companies and people, you want the best alternatives for how you work.

It turns out that it’s less about where you work than about the leadership, culture and practices in your company – and the relationships you have with your colleagues.

Remote work (or hybrid work) is not ideal

The vast majority of people want flexibility in where they work. According to a Gallup poll, 61% of those working in a job that allows them to work from home wanted to work from home sometimes, and another 28% preferred to work from home entirely. But this is nothing new. Countless people have been seeking remote, hybrid and flexible work since it became more readily available during the pandemic.

The real news is that when it comes to balancing work-life demands or avoiding burnout, remote work is not significantly better than hybrid work or on-site work.

• The percentage of people who strongly agree that they are able to maintain a healthy work-life balance is 33% for remote workers, 27% for hybrid workers, and 25% for on-site workers.
• And the proportion of people who are burned out very often or always is 24% for remote workers, 27% for hybrid workers, and 27% for on-site workers.

So remote work is good, but not significantly better than other ways of working.

The work that makes you happy

So what’s going on? And what can really make you happy?

1 – A culture of trust

Your ability to meet the demands of your work and personal life, to be flexible, and to make decisions that promote your happiness and fulfillment depends largely on whether you feel that your company and your manager trust you.

Even if your employer has formal policies supporting remote or hybrid work, you can most effectively manage the demands if you have cultural permission to do so.

Look not only for remote or hybrid work options, but for company cultures where you feel valued and trusted and where other employees also choose flexible working hours and locations.

Look for employers that give you autonomy, choice, control, and treat you like an adult. No matter where you work, these employers will help you feel happier and more fulfilled.

2 – A feeling of impact

Another element that will give you more satisfaction in your work is when you make a difference. We all have an instinct to be important. In fact, one of the characteristics of burnout is the feeling of being ineffective.

Look for jobs where you have clear expectations and work toward goals that are important to you—and where you get plenty of feedback about how you contribute. Look for opportunities where you can easily see how important your role is on the team and the impact your performance has on others.

Whether you’re working remotely, hybrid, or in the office, you’ll feel better if you have clarity about your responsibilities and a goal that makes you excited to get up in the morning—even if it’s just to make a small (but meaningful!) contribution to the whole.

3 – Leaders who are committed

Another key element of a great work experience is leaders who care about their employees. When employees feel their managers are empathetic, they actually report greater satisfaction, engagement, innovation, and willingness to stay with the company.

Regardless of where you work, look for leaders who listen carefully and check in with you—and who show they care by asking questions, listening, and offering support. Look for organizations where leaders are continually developing and are constantly seeking to improve their leadership, coaching, and communication skills.

4 – Connections to colleagues

One hallmark of job satisfaction is a sense of belonging. Find a job where you can get to know, learn from, and value your teammates.

Look for workplaces and organizations where people value one another, make time for one another, and help one another – and where they have a shared sense of identity through shared results.

No matter where you work, proximity fosters relationships. If you work remotely, keep your camera on and stay in regular contact with your teammates through every possible channel.

When you’re in the office, invite colleagues for a coffee and look forward to the work you’ll do together.

Regardless of your location, get to know your colleagues before, during and after meetings. Take the time to get to know them and what motivates them.

5 – Learning and Growth

One of the symptoms of burnout is feeling trapped and having no room for growth, so opportunities for learning and professional development can lead to greater satisfaction.

Whether you work remotely, hybrid, or in the office, be sure to choose jobs or organizations that offer skill-building courses, on-the-job training, and access to mentors.

Good performance no matter where you work

No matter where you work, you want to do your best. And excellent performance is linked to better self-esteem, happiness and satisfaction.

Ultimately, you need support to work in the way that works best for you – whether remote, hybrid or in the office. From tools, technology, processes or policies to culture and leadership, you need a company that invests in you – so you can invest in your work.