Remote Work: Advantages and disadvantages of the new trend working model

What is the difference between remote work and working from home?

By 2020 at the latest, working from home had become fully or partially integrated into the daily routine of companies in Germany almost overnight. Due to isolation and other coronavirus measures, most people worked from home, provided their job and equipment allowed it. Since then, this working model has become indispensable, as it offers a whole range of advantages, including a better work-life balance. When working from home, working hours and tasks do not differ from those in the office; only the place where the work is carried out is different. And that is precisely the big difference compared to remote work. Here, you are not tied to a specific time or place. The tasks and the amount of work remain the same, but whether you split a 40-hour working week across 4 or 6 days, whether you are the type who likes a lie-in or an early start, all of that is up to you. The only thing that really matters is that the output is right. Of course, you can also work remotely from home, but just as easily in the Italian sunshine or under the Northern Lights in the far north. That is why mobile working is often used as a synonym too. Within mobile working, there are also different versions of the model.

Remote Work Models

Basically, there are two different forms of this trend model:

Full Remote Working

With full remote working, as the name suggests, work is carried out exclusively outside the company. In theory, this means you can work from anywhere in the world. Whenever you want. Wherever you want. These travelling workers are also known as digital nomads. As a full remote worker, you only need suitable work equipment and a stable internet connection. A laptop, a headset and a mobile router with a suitable data plan are enough. However, it should be noted that you must also comply with the regulations that apply abroad. With the remote model, you often only get to know your colleagues and supervisors online. This can affect team spirit and your sense of connection to the company.

Hybrid Remote Working

While full remote working allows you to work independently of location and time, hybrid remote working is only remote on a part-time basis. In this model, the employer sets fixed times when you have to work in the office. Nevertheless, on remote days, unlike with working from home, you can decide where and when you want to work. This type of remote work is ideal, for example, if you prefer to take frequent short trips without using up all your holiday allowance. After all, you can just as easily work on your laptop in a café or a mountain hut. 

Advantages and challenges

Like any working model, remote work also has various advantages and disadvantages for employees and employers.

What may look entirely positive for employees at first glance usually also has a downside. One of the biggest advantages of remote work is the improved work-life balance. This is largely due to the elimination of commuting, the associated costs and being able to sleep longer. At the same time, however, this very balance can also be seen as a challenge, as for many people the boundaries between work and private life seem to become blurred. Nevertheless, the majority of remote workers see it as extra free time gained and as a sign of appreciation from the company. This flexibility makes it possible to change your workplace at lunchtime and, for example, continue working in a café, then have a chat with your best friend afterwards or during a break. Employees with children or pets in particular can manage their daily lives better through remote work. 

Remote work can also be a real advantage for the environment, as eliminating the daily commute reduces CO2 emissions. You also come into contact with fewer people and therefore get sick less often. However, this can also be perceived as social isolation and therefore be a disadvantage. If you also isolate yourself in your private life, the risk of falling into depression increases. Another disadvantage of remote work for employees is the tendency to work while ill. If someone is feeling unwell and therefore would not travel to the office, remote work creates a strong temptation not to see a doctor and to work instead.

Another possible challenge is workplace equipment. While employees in the office often have an ergonomic office chair, a height-adjustable desk and multiple monitors waiting for them, with the concept of mobile working the work equipment does not have to be provided by the employer. In the long term, working at a kitchen table or in a deck chair on the beach can be harmful to physical health.

For a better overview, we have summarised all the advantages and challenges for employees below once again: 

But remote work does not only have positive and negative effects for employees. Companies themselves can also benefit from remote work. Not least because employees are happier and feel valued. And happier employees are more productive, work more effectively and at the same time feel a stronger connection to the company. Simply offering the option to work remotely greatly increases employee retention. Another advantage of this working model is the reduction of certain company costs. Less electricity and water are used, and fewer parking spaces are needed. Easing the burden on the environment by reducing CO2 emissions also helps companies do their bit for the climate. In addition, remote work is beneficial for health, as employees are exposed to fewer viruses and benefit from more sleep. This leads to fewer sickness-related absences within the company. In times of skills shortages and similar challenges, remote work is also a real asset. It allows specialists and skilled workers to be recruited from almost anywhere. 

It is now clear that working remotely has advantages. However, there are also challenges to overcome. One disadvantage is the loss of control that comes with it. You have to trust employees to do their work properly, as the actual work performed is difficult to verify. It is also harder to find suitable times for joint meetings. Working together as a team on shared projects is made more difficult by this flexibility as well. In this case, it makes sense to meet and talk regularly in online meetings.

Who works remotely?

It is clear that remote work brings both positive and negative effects for employees and employers alike. However, anyone now considering working exclusively on the go should first clarify whether it is even possible to carry out their profession entirely remotely. The following professions, among others, are suitable for remote working:

• Content Manager (copywriter, blogger, translator)
• Graphic designer
• Web designer & UX designer
• IT (programming & development)
• Online marketer
• SEO manager (search engine optimisation)
• Consultant (coaching etc.)
• Market researcher
• Analyst
• Various agency jobs
• Freelancer

These are just a few examples. Nowadays, almost any job that can be done on a laptop can also be carried out remotely. On the other hand, there are also professions that cannot be performed on the go. Some examples include construction workers, nursery teachers and doctors. Although for the latter there is now also the option of online consultations for illnesses such as a cold or similar conditions, where patients do not necessarily have to be on site for diagnosis in order to be examined.

How can you work successfully on the go?

To be successful at remote work, a person needs to have various soft skills, among other things. One of the most important qualities is honesty. For example, employees should record their working hours correctly and not clock in and then go and have a bath or do something similar. It is equally important for workers to be organised and to have a certain degree of self-discipline. After all, there are a number of distractions both at home and elsewhere that can be more or less highly tempting. To counter possible distractions, core working hours and daily routines can help. This means that even when working remotely, you have fixed times at which certain tasks need to be completed.

What should you bear in mind when working remotely?

For the remote work trend as a working model to function well, the framework conditions should be clarified in advance and the following aspects should be taken into account.

Technical equipment: For effective remote work, employees need access to a stable internet connection and the necessary technical equipment. Software and suitable tools for communication and collaboration are also important.

Working time arrangements: Making clear agreements on availability and reachability to avoid misunderstandings is essential for fostering a positive working environment. One option for partial remote work is to agree on and observe core working hours.

Data protection and data security:  Comprehensive measures to protect company data and customer data are essential. Data security and data protection must be ensured at all times.

Health and ergonomics: The remote working environment should be designed ergonomically to avoid health problems. 

Communication and exchange: Make sure colleagues talk to each other. Remote work requires special effort to enable good communication and regular exchange between employees. 

What do I need for mobile working?

Depending on the location you want to work remotely from, the items you need will vary. However, the essentials for remote work are always a laptop, a stable internet connection and ideally a headset for smooth, interruption-free communication. If you want to work remotely while travelling regularly, you will need a mobile router with a suitable contract, as well as places with sufficient reception. If you prefer to work in cafés or co-working spaces, a good internet connection is usually already available there. However, if you prefer to work from home, it is advisable to set up a suitable workspace. 

Ergonomic workstation equipment supports both your productivity and your physical and mental health. A good office chair is the top priority here. It promotes a healthy sitting posture and relieves strain on your musculoskeletal system. If you also work at a height-adjustable desk, you can quickly and easily change your working posture while you work and also work standing up. This brings movement into your working day, which in turn has a positive effect on your health and work.

If you don’t have the option of setting up a home office within your own four walls, there are also various ways to integrate a pop-up office into your interior. A folding desk or a wall-mounted secretary desk are also ideal for this. With the right equipment, nothing stands in the way of a successful remote working day.

In principle, the employer is also responsible for providing the necessary work equipment for remote work. Providing a laptop and prohibiting private use of the device also has data protection reasons. So make sure to discuss with your employer in advance the extent to which you are allowed to use your work laptop.

Remote work also involves a number of legal points that need to be considered. If you would like to work from abroad, for example, the question arises as to whether you can still remain registered in Germany. To avoid double taxation, there is the 183-day rule. This states that employees who exceed this limit are generally also taxed in the country in which they are staying. However, this depends heavily on the country or place of work.
It is therefore advisable to discuss the details and agreements thoroughly with your employer beforehand and to record them in writing as well.

To ensure remote work becomes established within the company and is well received by employees, a few aspects should be taken into account. Transparency and communication play a key role here, also to avoid tensions between employees on site and mobile workers. The following points can help you introduce remote work as a working model:

• Clearly define who in the company can work remotely and why.
• Set out the framework conditions for remote work clearly.
• Provide the right work equipment.
• Encourage “in-person” contact by scheduling regular video calls, for example.
• Organise company events and team-building activities, regardless of remote work as well.
• Retain and hire only employees you can trust.
• Start with a trial phase

Conclusion: What does it mean to work remotely?

In today’s digital world, alternative ways of working such as remote work are becoming increasingly relevant. Thanks to today’s technology, many professions can be carried out from almost anywhere. However, this only applies to jobs and areas of work that can be done entirely on a mobile basis from a laptop and organised independently of fixed working hours. Remote work offers many advantages for both employees and employers, but it also brings challenges that need to be overcome. In principle, remote work is a benefit for both parties, provided it has been implemented correctly. Open communication and transparency are the keys to success here.