Work that Fits Life: Why we’re Fully Hybrid

Markela Kerkezou | February 11th 2025

Work that Fits Life: Why we’re fully hybrid

A 50% remote rhythm that gives time back to people.

 
 

At CORE Innovation Group, we’ve always believed that a company is only as strong as the well-being of its people. Long before remote work became a global trend (yes, we did it before it was cool), we realised that the traditional 9-5 office grind wasn’t the only way to thrive. For us, it’s never been about monitoring hours; it’s about giving people the space to do their best work, without sacrificing their lives in the process.

 
 

A simple rhythm that respects real life

Our hybrid model follows a clear weekly flow: we always work from home on Mondays and Fridays, and we usually come to the office on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays – with some extra remote days per year as well.

That structure protects something that often gets overlooked: time.

We know that every hour spent stuck in traffic or on a crowded train is an hour stolen from what truly matters. An hour away from a morning coffee in peace or having breakfast with your partner, an hour away from walking your children to school, or simple an hour of well-deserved rest.

By working from home every Monday and Friday, we give back our people pieces of their day. And this comes with a beautiful side effect: it becomes easier to enjoy a 4-day-stretch -Friday through Monday- to be wherever they feel most at home. For many of us based in Athens, that means being able to go back to our hometown, see family, breathe a bit, and come back feeling refreshed!

When life happens, we adapt

Our commitment to flexibility doesn’t end with a weekly routine. Life doesn’t always follow a schedule. That’s why we provide 20 extra remote days per year, for the days that “life happens”. Whether it’s a personal errand, a need to stay home for a delivery, or just a day where you need your own space, we trust our team to manage their time.

And when the Greek summer hits, we change gears. We operate fully remote for the entire month of August. Let’s be honest: nobody wants to melt in the Athens heat or struggle through the city streets in 40 degrees. Productivity comes from the comfort of the air conditioning, or, even better, from a house by the sea, catching the summer breeze.

An office built for collaboration (not attendance)

We do believe there is real value in being together in the same space. Not because work can’t happen remotely, but because some moments are simply better in person.

Our office is designed to feel cosy and lived in. There are plants everywhere, natural lights, and spaces that invite people to sit down, talk and stay for a while. Mornings often start with good coffee, and, thanks to our Eleftheria and Katerina, sometimes with breakfast too. Fresh fruit is always around, and many days we share salads for lunch.

Informal conversations, shared lunches, spontaneous moments of connections. These experiences strengthen relationships and help build trust, or friendships, over time.

That’s why we come at the office we want it to matter. Being together gives room for things that don’t always happen on a screen: open conversations, shared energy, faster alignment, and a stronger sense of belonging. These moments shape the way we work together — and the way we trust each other — long after the day is over.

The bottom line 

At the heart of our hybrid model is a simple idea: work should support real life, not compete with it. We don’t measure commitment in minutes online or hours spent at a desk. What matters is showing up for the work, for each other, and for the moments that require flexibility.

We’re not claiming to have found a perfect formula. We’re learning, adjusting, and improving as we go. But one thing is clear to us: when people are given the space to manage their time in a way that works for them, they bring more focus, care, and intention into what they do.

If our way of working gives people a bit more time, a bit more breathing room, and the confidence to speak up when they need support, then we know we’re on the right path.

 
 
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