What Does Remote Work Really Mean?

Working remotely does not mean WFH (working from home). If you’re getting a few emails answered while waiting for the cable guy on a Tuesday afternoon – you’re not working remotely. Read on to learn what remote work really means.

1. You have a dedicated workspace (outside the office) that provides the solitude and environment you need to get your best work done. 

This includes work equipment (such as a monitor and headset), ergonomic furniture in an interruption-free space. If your home office setup is lacking compared to what’s in the office, then you’re just working from home – not working remotely.

2. Your company and team have the tools in place to support remote work effectively.

This includes video conferencing software, knowledge sharing wikis, asynchronous messenger software, and a virtual office. But it’s not enough that the tools are available – everyone has to consistently use them. If you’re struggling to communicate with or feel connected to your colleagues, then your workplace does not have sufficient remote infrastructure.

3. Your company and team consistently adhere to remote friendly processes.

This includes a culture of documentation, frequent social activities or water cooler conversation equivalents, and inclusive decision making processes (to make sure that no one is left out because they’re not physically in the office). You can successfully work remotely even if your company offers a hybrid environment, but it requires more discipline and stronger habits to make sure remote workers don’t become second class citizens.

4. You have an established remote work routine with clear boundaries between work and life.

This means that:

• You have boundaries between when you work and when you don’t, and you follow them most of the time.
• You can carve out focus time at work. For example, you’re not constantly slipping in personal chores to the detriment of your deliverables – sure, it’s fine to hop away for an appointment, but you’re not homeschooling long term while working or trying to interleave chores (laundry, bills, dishes, cooking, cleaning, scheduling, etc) with work every 20 minutes.
• Your family respects your work schedule, and doesn’t constantly interrupt you.

5. You are at your most productive (most of the time) when you work remotely.

If you find yourself going into the office to get ‘focus work’ done, and just answer calls and messages from home – sorry, you’re not working remotely. If you find that you’re not able to be very productive at home – this means that one of the requirements outlined above hasn’t been properly met and should be addressed.

Are you really working remotely? What’s missing in your remote lifestyle? Let us know in the comments below.