Remote Work
Remote work is a working arrangement where employees perform their duties from locations outside the traditional office, typically from home.
global
Category
beginner
Difficulty
4 min read
Read time
2025-01-15
Updated
Definition
Short definition
Remote work is a working arrangement where employees perform their duties from locations outside the traditional office, typically from home.
Detailed explanation
Remote work allows employees to work from locations other than the employer's premises, enabled by technology. It ranges from occasional work from home to fully distributed teams with no physical office.
Remote work has become mainstream, offering benefits like increased flexibility, reduced commuting, and access to wider talent pools. It also presents challenges around communication, collaboration, and management.
Successful remote work requires clear policies, appropriate technology, and management practices adapted for distributed teams.
Practical guidance
How it works
Employees connect to work systems from home or other locations using laptops and internet. Communication happens via video calls, chat, and collaboration tools. Work is tracked through output rather than presence.
Best practices
Create clear remote work policies
Invest in collaboration tools
Focus on outcomes not hours
Maintain team connection
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between remote and hybrid work?
Remote work is fully off-site. Hybrid work combines office and remote, typically with set days in each location.
Do remote workers have the same employment rights?
Yes, remote workers have the same employment rights as office-based employees, including leave, benefits, and protections.
Related glossary terms
Flexible Working
Flexible working is working arrangements different from standard patterns, including remote work, part-time, compressed hours, or flexitime. UK employees can request changes from day one.
Hybrid Work
Hybrid work is a flexible arrangement where employees split their time between working remotely and working in the office.
Time Tracking
Time tracking is the process of recording when employees work, including clock in/out times, breaks, and overtime, for payroll, compliance, and productivity purposes.