Remote work: freedom or illusion?

What talents expect (and what companies don’t dare to say)

Since 2020, remote work has become the norm. But where do we stand in 2025? Spoiler: the debate is far from over. At mad, we support tech talents and companies every day who are truly trying to find their way. And if there’s one topic that keeps coming up… it’s this one.

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On the company side: caught between fear of dilution and an obsession with "connection"

We often hear:

"They all want full remote but complain about not seeing anyone" "How do we build company culture...without a company?" "We no longer know what candidates actually want"

The reality:

Companies want to maintain some level of control. And that’s okay.

But they sometimes struggle to clearly articulate their expectations.

The real problem?

Poor communication around hybrid work.

Saying “we’re flexible” while requiring presence 3 days a week = frustration.

And above all, misunderstanding on the talents’ side.

On the talent side: freedom, yes — but with connection

The profiles we recruit at MAD don’t just want to work in pajamas. They want impact, autonomy, and a real framework of trust. But they also want:

• A team that truly exists (even remotely)

• Regular feedback

• A clear vision

• …and the freedom to work elsewhere whenever they want.

What do they often tell us?

"Remote work is great... if the company really plays along"

Spoiler: that means processes designed for remote work. Not just extra video calls.

The real issue? It's not remote work. It's trust.

There's no perfect model. But there's a contact to reinvent — between talents and employers. And that's where we come in. At mad, we're here to match talent expectations with company vision. Not just on a job description, but in a way of working together.