When it comes to remote work, employers have two main approaches—remote friendly and remote first. Each option has its own pros and cons, and it’s important for employers to consider the implications of making a decision for their organization.

Remote Friendly vs Remote First

The main difference between remote friendly and remote first is the degree to which employers embrace remote work. Remote friendly companies allow remote work on an as-needed basis, while remote first companies are built around the concept of remote working as the main way of doing business.

In a remote friendly workplace, employees have the option to work remotely, but this is not the expectation. In a remote first workplace, employees are expected to work remotely, and in-person meetings and office visits are the exception, not the rule.

The Pros of Remote Friendly

One of the advantages of a remote friendly workplace is that it gives employers more flexibility. With remote friendly, employers can easily accommodate employees who need to work remotely for a short period of time or for special projects. This flexibility can be especially helpful for employers who need to scale up or down quickly.

Remote friendly also allows employers to tap into a larger talent pool. By offering remote work, employers can draw from a wider range of job seekers and can potentially access more specialized workers.

The Cons of Remote Friendly

One of the downsides of remote friendly is that it can be harder to foster team cohesion and collaboration. When some employees are working remotely and some are in the office, it can be difficult to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that everyone’s contributions are valued.

Another downside of remote friendly is that it can be harder to manage remote workers. It can be difficult to ensure that remote workers are staying productive and that they are meeting deadlines. It can also be difficult to ensure that remote workers are following company protocols and policies.

The Pros of Remote First

One of the advantages of a remote first workplace is that it is easier to foster collaboration, communication, and team cohesion. When everyone is working remotely, it is easier to ensure that everyone is on the same page and that everyone’s contributions are valued.

Remote first also allows employers to tap into a wider range of talent. By offering remote work, employers can draw from a larger pool of job seekers and potentially access more specialized workers.

The Cons of Remote First

One of the downsides of remote first is that it can be difficult to ensure that remote workers are staying productive and meeting deadlines. It can also be difficult to ensure that remote workers are following company protocols and policies.

Another downside of remote first is that it can be harder to accommodate employees who need to work in the office for a short period of time or for special projects.

Conclusion

When it comes to remote work, employers have two main options—remote friendly and remote first. Each option has its own pros and cons, and it’s important for employers to consider the implications of making a decision for their organization.