For young workers hoping to move up, hybrid work model creates unique challenges

Early-career employees have typically had the benefit of an in-person work environment as they look to develop their skills, understand workplace norms and progress professionally.

TORONTO -- After working remotely since starting a new job at the beginning of the year, Madison Rogers was excited to get into the office in March and spend time collaborating with her co-workers at Toronto-based Fuse Create.

"I felt energized meeting my co-workers in person -- I'm even more motivated to do good work," she said in an interview.

As someone early in her career, she said she's looking forward to more opportunities to catch the attention of her bosses, to make a positive impression with her colleagues in person and the other career benefits that come with being in the office.

Like many companies, Fuse has embraced a hybrid model of working remotely and in the office, which means junior employees looking to reap those in-person benefits have new challenges to navigate.

Early-career employees have typically had the benefit of an in-person work environment as they look to develop their skills, understand workplace norms and progress professionally.

That's why communication matters more than ever, said Johnathan Nightingale, co-founder of management training company Raw Signal Group. A lack of clarity from leadership about expectations for early-career employees is a problem that could arise, he said.