As more companies move towards remote work, it’s important to understand the differences between remote friendly and remote first approaches. Remote friendly companies are open to remote work, but prefer to have employees on-site or in-person when possible. Remote first companies embrace and prioritize remote work, even when it’s not the ideal situation.

What is Remote Friendly?

Remote friendly companies are those that are open to and supportive of remote work, but prefer to have employees on-site or in-person when possible. This could mean having employees come into the office a few times a week, or just having occasional in-person meetings or team-building events. This approach is ideal for companies that want to maintain a strong in-person culture, while still giving employees the flexibility to work from home when necessary.

Remote friendly companies often have certain guidelines for remote work, such as requiring employees to work certain hours or to be available during certain times. They may also require employees to have certain video conferencing software or have an adequate home office setup.

What is Remote First?

Remote first companies prioritize remote work and make it the default for all employees. This means that, even if employees could work in-person, they are encouraged to work remotely. For instance, if the team is meeting in-person, they will also make sure to provide a way for remote employees to participate in the meeting.

Remote first companies often have more flexible policies when it comes to working hours and locations. They may also have more resources to support remote employees, such as providing them with laptops or other equipment, or offering help with setting up an ergonomic home office.

Benefits of Remote Friendly vs Remote First

Both remote friendly and remote first approaches have their advantages. With a remote friendly approach, employees have the flexibility to work from home when necessary while still having the option of coming into the office when needed. It also allows companies to maintain a strong in-person culture.

Remote first companies can be more flexible and provide more resources to support remote employees. This can increase productivity and help create a more cohesive team environment. It can also help attract and retain talented remote workers.

Legal Considerations

Regardless of whether a company is remote friendly or remote first, there are certain legal considerations to keep in mind. It’s important to make sure that remote workers are properly classified as employees or contractors, and that they are aware of their rights and responsibilities.

Employers should also be aware of any laws or regulations that may apply to their remote workers, such as those related to data privacy, tax, or labor standards. Additionally, employers should have policies in place to ensure that remote workers are given the same benefits and protections as on-site employees.

Career Development Opportunities

For those considering a remote career, it’s important to understand the opportunities available. Remote friendly and remote first companies may offer different types of career development opportunities.

Remote friendly companies may have more in-person opportunities such as attending conferences, networking events, or team-building activities. Remote first companies may have more resources to support remote employees, such as providing access to online courses or virtual events.

Additionally, remote workers may have access to different types of job opportunities, such as working as a freelancer or as part of a distributed team. It’s important to understand the differences between these types of roles and the legal considerations involved.

Conclusion

When it comes to remote work, it’s important to understand the differences between remote friendly and remote first companies. Remote friendly companies are open to remote work, but prefer to have employees on-site or in-person when possible. Remote first companies prioritize remote work and make it the default for all employees.

Both approaches come with their own advantages and disadvantages. It’s important to consider the legal considerations and career development opportunities before deciding which approach is best for you.