Remote worker is an employee that performs their job from an off-site location that is separate from the employer’s central office.
The remote location may be any location other than the traditional office, such as a home office, a selection of coworking spaces, or even a coffee shop.
What is a remote worker?
Remote workers have flexible work arrangements, with the option to choose from any remote location.
The recent pandemic forced organizations to shift from a traditional face-to-face work environment to a telecommuting culture.
Today, the popularity of remote work continues rising as technology develops, the number of remote work opportunities increases and the benefits are acknowledged.
Who are considered remote workers?
There is no single type of remote worker. Instead, remote employees can be hired on a permanent or temporary basis and recruited for full-time, part-time, or contractual work.
Benefits of remote work
The benefits of remote work inspire organizations to implement a remote work policy and encourage office workers to become remote employees. These benefits also motivate individuals to become digital nomads or start working from home.
- Reduce the time and cost associated with commuting
- Enhance business continuity with virtual teams (especially across time zones)
- Cut overhead costs by reducing corporate office space
- Hire and recruit from a global talent pool
- Increased productivity from the flexible work arrangement
- Improve work-life balance and overall wellness
- Boost employee morale, better company culture, and increase retention
- Reduce burnout by following your own schedule
How does remote working work?
A successful remote working arrangement involves various factors that work together for success. A combination of streamlined processes, stable internet connection, technological tools, and committed team members are needed.
It’s essential that the company can perform in an off-site capacity. When remote teams need to connect, messaging apps, video conferencing tools, and software should be in place to facilitate communication and maintain a productive workflow.
Key factors in making success of a remote team include;
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A fast, reliable internet connection that supports video calls and functions of the workday
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Mobile technologies to perform necessary tasks
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A strong culture of communication
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Implementation of communication and collaboration tools, such as Slack and Zoom
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Supportive management that empowers individuals
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Clear communication on work schedule expectations and deliverables
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Regular virtual team-building efforts
As the physical workspace becomes less important, remote work opportunities expand across geographical borders. Recruiters and businesses who hire international remote workers need to ensure compliance when conducting payroll and international taxes.
Examples of remote jobs
Remote work is becoming more common across various industries. While jobs in technology, marketing, and social media are commonly associated with remote work, other industries are also shifting away from the traditional office environment.
Today, employees in other industries, such as education, healthcare, and law, can also work remotely and enjoy the same benefits.
A quick search on professional networks and remote job boards, such as Flexjobs, reveals the vast array of remote job opportunities.
At Deel, we help businesses streamline the hiring, onboarding, and management of global, remote employees. Our robust platform offers useful features for legal, finance, and human resource teams.
