Remote Work vs Telework: What Is the Difference?

Whether to implement remote work vs telework is an important decision for anyone looking at flexible work. Read about the two styles here.

By EOR Editor

In the past couple of years, the term ‘remote work’ surged in use as people around the globe adjusted to the COVID-19 pandemic and all the challenges that brought for the workplace. Remote work certainly existed before that, but now remote work seems to have taken on a whole new meaning. Telework is another type of work that existed way before the pandemic, but we don’t seem to talk about it as much nowadays. For employers and employees alike, you might wonder: What is this remote work vs telework debate all about? How do you know which is which, and is one better than the other? We answer those questions and more in this article.

Definitions: Remote Work vs Telework

It has become increasingly common for employers to allow employees to work remotely, but there’s still some confusion about what remote work and telework actually are. The terms may be used interchangeably at times, but in general:

Remote work refers to working away from the office, typically at home but it could also be from co-working spaces, libraries, or coffee shops. Remote work may be synchronous or asynchronous. Generally speaking, remote employees don't often meet each other as they can be spread out all over the globe.
Telework, on the other hand, usually refers to working from an approved location other than the default on-site workplace, which could be your employee's home, but is more likely to be a client's office, a job site, or some other formally approved worksite. Teleworking typically is synchronous. Most teleworking teams meet in-person regularly and are usually closer together in geography.

The term ‘telecommuting’ is also sometimes used to describe telework, but this term more accurately refers to using telecommunications technology to perform your job duties while outside of the office.

Of course, there are also hybrid arrangements where an employee may work from home or an approved worksite some of the time and only come into the office for meetings or to collaborate with colleagues on projects. These are just as common as having a fixed work type.

Remote Work vs Telework: What Are the Benefits of Each?

Undoubtedly, there are many benefits of remote work and telework, including increased productivity and creativity, lower overhead costs for businesses, and a better work-life balance for employees. And as technology continues to evolve, it’s likely that even more jobs will be able to be done remotely in the future.

So whether you’re an employer debating remote work vs telework for your team or an employee who would like to request more flexibility, it’s important to understand the different benefits of these two work types.

The Benefits of Remote Work

Working remotely has become increasingly popular in recent years, and it’s not hard to see why. There are a number of benefits that come with working from home or another remote location. Remote work can:

contribute to improved work-life balance. Rather than spending hours commuting to and from an office, workers can use that time to pursue hobbies, spend time with family, or take care of personal errands.
provide a sense of freedom and flexibility that traditional office jobs lack. Workers can set their own hours, take breaks when they need to, and design their workspace to suit their needs.
help to boost productivity. Studies have shown that workers who have the ability to work remotely are more productive than those who don’t. This is likely due to the increased flexibility and freedom that remote work provides.

The Benefits of Telework

Likewise, there are many reasons why teleworking arrangements can be beneficial, both for employees and employers.

For employees, telework can provide greater flexibility and autonomy in terms of hours and location, if approved by management. In addition, by being able to work from home or another approved site a couple of days a week, it can reduce commute times and associated costs such as gas and child care.

For employers, telework can help to improve productivity by providing employees with an approved location from which to enjoy a quieter work environment where they can focus on their tasks without distractions. In addition, for companies that cycle their teleworkers, it can reduce office overhead costs such as rent and utilities. Telework can also lead to improved employee retention, as employees who have the option to work from home or who get diversity in their work location (for example, getting to visit client offices) are less likely to get bored and leave their jobs.

How to Decide if Remote Work or Telework is Best for Your Business

With more and more companies offering remote work or telework options, it can be difficult to decide if this type of arrangement is right for your business. There are a few things to consider before making a decision.

First, think about your employees’ work styles. Do they prefer to be in an office with set hours, or do they prefer the flexibility of working from home or a provided co-working space? If your team thrives on human interaction and collaboration, remote work and teleworking may not be the best option. However, if they are the types of people who prefer to work independently and are self-motivated, these flexible working styles could be a good fit.
Another thing to consider is your employees’ home setups. Do they have a dedicated workspace in their homes, or would they be forced to find space working from the kitchen table or balancing laptops on the couch? If employees don’t have a quiet and private place to work, it may be difficult to stay focused and productive at home. Limiting remote and telework to a couple of days a week could help.
Finally, think about your team’s lifestyles. Are they the type of people who need structure and routine, or would they thrive with more freedom and flexibility? If they like having set hours and knowing what the day will look like no matter where they are working, telework may be a good fit. However, if they prefer a more relaxed approach and enjoy having the ability to create their own schedules, remote work could be a huge attraction to working for your company.

Ultimately, the decision of whether to pursue remote work or telework depends on your team’s individual preferences and needs. Take the time to interview your team and understand their preferences before implementing a broad stroke policy.

Implement Remote Work or Telework Arrangements with an Employer of Record

Both remote work and telework have their own unique benefits that can take your company to another level, if managed appropriately. If you have decided to make the switch, getting a handle on the back-office requirements of such work arrangements can seem intimidating. The good news, however, is that employer of record providers manage these demands day in, day out. They take care of local compliance, payroll, leave monitoring, and other human resources tasks on your behalf, ensuring a smooth employee experience. To better understand employer of record options, check out our detailed comparison tables.

Top EOR Providers
Provider	Overall Company Rating	Overall Employee Rating	Overall EOR Rating
Horizons	5	5	5
Deel	5	5	5
Remote	5	5	5
GoGlobal	5	5	5
Globalization Partners	5	5	5