{"id":19484,"date":"2022-10-28T11:54:16","date_gmt":"2022-10-28T09:54:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/careerfoundry.inbearbeitung.de\/en\/?p=19484"},"modified":"2023-05-15T12:58:02","modified_gmt":"2023-05-15T10:58:02","slug":"what-does-remote-work-mean","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/careerfoundry.inbearbeitung.de\/en\/blog\/career-change\/what-does-remote-work-mean\/","title":{"rendered":"What Does Remote Work Mean (vs WFH vs Hybrid Work)?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Remote work has come a <\/span>very<\/span><\/i> long way. In previous years, remote work was widely seen as \u2018not real work\u2019. Then Covid-19 happened, and\u2026 well, you know the rest.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Even since the pandemic, our understanding of the positive impacts of remote work\u2014both for tech professionals and companies\u2014has evolved massively. Many of us are realizing that we\u2019ve only just scratched the surface of remote work, and how to get the most out of it.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

But what does <\/span>remote work<\/b> mean? And how is it different from <\/span>working from home<\/b> (sometimes shortened to WFH), or the increasingly-popular <\/span>hybrid work<\/b> model?<\/span><\/p>\n

If you\u2019re looking to transition into remote work, consider this your all-inclusive guide. In this blog post, we\u2019ll take you through what remote work, WFH, and hybrid work means\u2014as well as where to find remote jobs, and how to figure out if remote work is even right for you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Here\u2019s what we\u2019ll cover (feel free to skip ahead if you see exactly what you\u2019re looking for!):\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  1. What does remote work mean?\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  2. Remote work vs WFH vs hybrid work model: advantages and disadvantages<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  3. Is remote work right for you?\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  4. How to find a remote job<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  5. Best practices for remote work<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n
  6. What does remote work mean? Final thoughts<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<\/ol>\n

    Let\u2019s dive in!<\/span><\/p>\n

    1. What does remote work mean?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    These days, the term \u2018remote work\u2019 is everywhere. But what does remote work mean?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Remote work refers to any work that is performed outside of the company\u2019s own dedicated office space, in a location of the workers choosing. Remote work can be done in a co-working space, at home, at a cafe\u2014the list goes on. As long as your work can be performed without the need for in-person collaboration, remote work is usually an option\u2014whether that\u2019s in-house at a company, or as an independent freelancer.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    When browsing through job descriptions, you might find that an increasing number of companies are describing themselves as <\/span>remote-first<\/b>. This means there is an office that employers can work in, but they\u2019re not obligated to go. Some companies are also \u2018fully remote\u2019, which usually means there\u2019s no company-owned office space or headquarters at all. Every employee\u2014including the leadership and people teams\u2014are working remotely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Some companies might not be remote, but offer some remote working positions\u2014or even remote teams. This is because some roles might require in-person collaboration, whereas others don\u2019t. A job description might specify that the role is remote, but be sure to check the website before assuming the entire company is remote-first.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Remote work vs WFH vs hybrid work model meanings<\/span><\/h3>\n

    With the rise of remote work, comes the rise of flexible working variations like working from home (WFH)<\/a>, or the hybrid work model<\/a>. So what do these terms actually mean?\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Remote work is often used interchangeably with WFH. While working from home can be part of remote working, the two terms don\u2019t actually mean the same thing.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    The key distinction here is that remote work can be performed from <\/span>anywhere<\/span><\/i>. Ever heard of the term \u2018digital nomads\u2019? There are some people who work and travel in tandem, taking their work on the road with them as they journey from country to country. Remote work is not location-specific, which is why so many remote-first companies have teams located all over the world.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    On the other hand, working from home is, well, exactly that\u2014but with the caveat that you may still be required to live in the city that your company is based in, in order to attend the occasional meeting in-person.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    During the period of lockdowns, most of us experienced working from home as we were prohibited from moving around freely. Since then, working from home has become more of a personal choice, perhaps to reduce time spent commuting, or to gain a better work-life balance. Many people decide to work primarily from home because it suits their lifestyle.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    So, what does the hybrid work model mean?\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Generally speaking, hybrid working refers to a mix of both remote and in-person working.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    These days, hybrid work has become an umbrella term for flexible working arrangements. For most companies, a hybrid work model means employees are allowed to work remotely some days, and are required in the office on specific days. How this looks day-to-day depends on the company, and is usually specified in the job description. This model is also known as \u2018partially remote.\u2019<\/span><\/p>\n

    Hybrid working has become a popular choice for many companies, who believe it allows employees the best of both worlds: the freedom and autonomy to choose where you work some days, and the chance to benefit from the office facilities and socialize with your colleagues on other days. It also allows the company to easily communicate big company decisions through in-person presentations and meetings.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Check out our blog post on <\/span>7 workplace trends to look out for in 2024<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    2. Remote work vs WFH vs hybrid work model: advantages and disadvantages<\/span><\/h2>\n

    In today’s working landscape, there\u2019s a lot more autonomy over how you work. Faced with more choices, it\u2019s important to have a sense of how you work best, so you can apply to companies that best suit your preferences.\u00a0 To help guide you, let\u2019s look at the advantages and disadvantages of remote work vs WFH vs hybrid working.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Advantages of remote work<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Freedom of movement<\/span><\/h4>\n

    In the mood to go and pack up and jet off for a few days? You don\u2019t necessarily have to use up any precious annual leave. As long as you have a stable internet connection, you can pretty much work from anywhere.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Variety in working location<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Remote work doesn\u2019t mean working in isolation. From cafes to co-working spaces, remote working means you can quickly switch-up your environment when you\u2019re feeling demotivated or uninspired.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    More autonomy over how you work\u00a0<\/span><\/h4>\n

    It\u2019s not just <\/span>where<\/span><\/i> you work you\u2019ll have control over, but also<\/span> how<\/span><\/i> you work. Whether you need complete silence, want to blast loud music, or break the day up differently to how you would in the office\u2014you can work in the way you work best, without feeling like you have to \u2018perform\u2019 productivity.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Disadvantages of remote work<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Lack of in-person face-time with colleagues<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Having opportunities to talk socially with your colleagues is key for building a positive company culture, and it comes much more naturally in-person. While digital tools that facilitate remote collaboration have come a long way, there\u2019s still a lot you can miss out on without being in the same physical space.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Risk of digital burnout<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Over-reliance on remote tools can lead to serious digital burnout, which many tech professionals collectively experienced during the pandemic with \u2018Zoom fatigue\u2019. Without supplementing your online work with offline social interactions, you could find yourself in serious need of a digital detox.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Advantages of WFH<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Better work-life balance<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Whether it\u2019s more time with your family, or managing a big life transition\u2014working from home means you can maximize your time doing the things that really matter to you.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    More money saved<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Travel is getting increasingly more expensive, even to the office and back. Not only will working from home save money on travel costs, you\u2019re also less likely to splurge on a grab \u2018n go lunch and eat at home instead.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Fewer distractions<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Depending on your home office setup, you might find that your productivity increases without so many office distractions. In the quiet comfort of your home office or living room, you can customize your space to maximize focused working.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Disadvantages of WFH<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Blurred line between work and housework<\/span><\/h4>\n

    While you might find you have fewer people around to distract you, housework can also be a distraction. Feeling like you have to clean between meetings, or do laundry on your lunch break, might make the line between work and home life more blurred than ever.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Isolation and boredom<\/span><\/h4>\n

    You might find that WFH completely tanks your motivation and productivity levels\u2014especially if your personality type is more extroverted. If you generally feed off other people\u2019s energy, you could quickly become disengaged with the monotony of WFH.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Easy to overwork<\/span><\/h4>\n

    When you\u2019re not in a physical office space, and you don\u2019t have to close your laptop and commute home, it\u2019s all too easy to just\u2026keep working. You might find yourself logging on earlier to get a head start, and working late to make your life easier the next day. Going above and beyond might not seem like a bad thing, but overworking can lead to burnout.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Advantages of the hybrid work model<\/span><\/h3>\n

    More face time with your colleagues<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Between important meetings, strategy sessions, and opportunities for socializing\u2014being in-person allows for more team-building opportunities and faster decision-making processes.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    More intuitive working<\/span><\/h4>\n

    If your company\u2019s hybrid work model offers optional in-person work, you only have to go into the office when you really feel like it. This way, you can work more intuitively\u2014knowing you have somewhere to go when you\u2019re craving socialization, without feeling pressured if you change your mind.<\/span><\/p>\n

    Access to office perks<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Some offices have great office perks, like free food and drink, great equipment, or free lunches on set days. Having set days in the office means you can make the most of these amenities without dipping into your own supply.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Disadvantages of the hybrid work model<\/span><\/h3>\n

    Work might feel disjointed<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Some people enjoy having more variety throughout their working week. For others, having some in-person days and some remote days might make it hard to stick to a consistent daily routine, leaving you feeling disjointed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Feeling out of sync with colleagues<\/span><\/h4>\n

    \u00a0<\/b>In some hybrid work models, different teams or colleagues have different in-person days. Working in the office might also be optional, so you might still find yourself using remote working tools despite being in the office in order to connect with remote colleagues.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    More money spent commuting<\/span><\/h4>\n

    Commuting to the office and back, grabbing multiple coffees throughout the day, that \u2018innocent\u2019 grab \u2018n go lunch, an after work drink with colleagues\u2014it all adds up!<\/span><\/p>\n

    To learn more, check out our <\/span>guide to becoming a remote UX designer in 2024<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n

    3. Is remote work right for you?<\/span><\/h2>\n

    On paper, remote work might seem like a great fit. Less commuting, better work-life balance, more autonomy\u2014what\u2019s not to love?<\/span><\/p>\n

    In reality, it isn\u2019t for everyone. Some people have fallen head over heels for remote work, and others find it significantly stunts their ability to be happy and productive in their role.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

    Before we explore how you can figure out if remote work is right for you, you might be interested in this video. We spoke to some tech employees who are working in either a remote setting or hybrid set-up, to find out what they consider the biggest benefits of remote work are, what challenges it presents, and understand how working remotely has impacted their professional lives:<\/p>\n