Making a hybrid schedule work from London

Last reviewed October 30, 2026

Hybrid work is what makes London realistic for most GTA-employed households. But "hybrid" can mean anything from one day a month to four days a week. How you structure your days matters as much as how many there are.

Negotiating your arrangement

• Be specific: how many office days, and which ones? Fixed days help you plan travel and childcare.
• Ask about flexibility for bad weather. A winter storm on an office day shouldn't force a dangerous drive.
• Get it in writing, ideally in your employment agreement or a written remote-work agreement.
• Clarify travel costs: will your employer reimburse travel to the office? Most don't for regular commuting, but some do for required extra days.
• Ask about location-based pay. Some employers adjust salaries for where you live. Better to know before you move.

Structuring your office days

Pair your days

Two consecutive office days with one overnight in the GTA can be easier than two separate round trips. You save a return trip, avoid one rush hour, and get a full evening for dinners with colleagues or friends.

Shift your hours

If your employer allows it, arrive later and leave later (or earlier and earlier) to avoid peak traffic. Working on the train counts for some employers.

Make office days count

Schedule meetings, collaboration and in-person time on office days, and save focused work for home. Commuters who feel their office days are productive find the trip much easier to justify.

Overnight options

• Hotels, especially with corporate rates, for occasional overnights.
• Staying with family or friends in the GTA, which many movers have.
• A shared room or small rental for those in the office several days a week. Some commuters share a small apartment with colleagues.

Factor these into your commuting costs.

Coworking in London

If you work remotely but want to get out of the house, London has coworking spaces, including options downtown. A coworking membership can also give you a professional place for video calls and a community of other remote workers.

Protecting your arrangement

Return-to-office policies have changed at many organizations. To reduce risk:

• Be visible: show up well on office days, communicate proactively, and deliver.
• Know your options: keep an eye on local London employers and remote-first companies in your field.
• Stress-test your budget: could you afford your London home if you had to commute three or four days a week, or take a local job?
• Choose a home that works either way: close to the 401 or the VIA station, with a dedicated office.

Remote days: setting yourself up

Remote days are the reward for the long ones, so make them work well:

• A dedicated workspace with a door. See home office & internet.
• Reliable, fast internet, with a backup plan such as a phone hotspot.
• A routine: start time, breaks, a walk on the Thames Valley Parkway at lunch.
• Boundaries between work and home life.

Taxes for remote workers

If your employer requires you to work from home and provides a signed form (T2200), you may be able to deduct some home-office expenses. Commuting costs between home and your regular workplace generally aren't deductible. Ask an accountant how the rules apply to you.

Talking to your manager

If you're asking for a new hybrid arrangement because you're moving, frame it around the work: how you'll stay reachable, which meetings you'll attend in person, and how your output will be measured. Offer a trial period and a check-in date. Managers are more comfortable approving arrangements with a clear plan.