Variations of Remote Work

Remote work is a booming trend in the modern workplace. Increased technological capabilities have made the shift possible, and young professionals demanding enhanced work-life balance have made it popular. Companies choose to incorporate flexibility into their culture in numerous ways. Take a look at some of the different approaches to working from anywhere and see if one resonates with you and your organization’s  culture. 

Telecommuting – Perhaps the simplest step toward remote work, telecommuting allows an employee to do work from home rather than coming into the office. This usually occurs infrequently and only as need arises on an individual basis. For example, on a day with no major meetings  an employee can do work from home, so they are available to take a child to the dentist right after school gets out. Telecommuting is also popular in cases of inclement weather. These types of arrangements are typically scheduled in advance and work as part of a pre-determined system, such as having the option to telecommute every other Friday or having a  set number of days for telecommuting per year. 

Scheduling – Some companies have regularly scheduled days where some or all employees work out of office. Typically, this occurs 1-3 times per week. Meetings are scheduled for days when the team will be in the office, and employees are still accessible through video or phone calls on the days when they work remotely.  

Seniority – For many organizations employing remote workers, the flexibility is earned after a vesting period. The majority of full-time remote workers are senior-level employees who have held their position with the company for such a length of time, that they are able to fulfill their roles from anywhere. The bulk of the workforce in such a company meets in the office every day, with a few members of the team working remotely. Oftentimes, people in these roles work in tech or consulting. 

Part-Time – Some companies employ the majority of their labor part-time and allow them to work remotely. Management and senior executives work in an office, and customer service representatives or consultants are spread out across the country, working from home on a part-time schedule. There is a wide range of flexibility that can be granted in such a situation, such as allowing employees to choose the days of the week or hours of the day they will do their work. 

Entire Team – Though it is less common, there are companies that have no office space whatsoever; all of their employees work from home (or anywhere they like) on hours that they choose. Some employees work part-time and others have a full 40-hour week.These organizations communicate regularly through chats, calls, and video meetings. Employees value this remote work environment for balancing family life, eliminating a commute, the ability to move frequently, and setting their own hours.  

Every company is unique and should tailor their approach to remote work according to their culture and the type of business they operate . Increasing flexibility is a great way to attract and retain talent in our tight labor market.  

How can we help?  

If you have questions about operating your business remotely, please contact us. Compensation Works partners with you to develop solutions that fit the unique needs of your organization.