Remote Work Is Not the Same as Work Anywhere
- Luiz
- Jan 26
- 2 min read
Updated: Feb 18
Table of Contents:
Wait, what? I had no idea that "remote work" and "work from anywhere" were two distinct concepts!
What’s the Deal?
Remote Work
Means you don’t need to show up at an office to do your job. However, it doesn’t always mean you can work from anywhere in the world. Often, there are geographic restrictions, like being allowed to work from anywhere within a specific state or country.
Employers might limit where you can work to ensure compliance with tax regulations or employment laws in those locations.
Work Anywhere
Truly means what it says—you can perform your job from any location on the globe without limitations. This option provides ultimate freedom but is far less common, especially for full-time roles.
Why the Difference?
Kristen Fife, a senior tech recruiter and career strategist, explains the rationale in her insightful article, Understanding Remote Work from the Employer Side.
Employers must set up legal business entities in specific locations to address taxes, healthcare, and employment law requirements. This complexity makes offering "work from anywhere" a logistical challenge for many organizations.
In the United States, for example, companies must comply with both federal and state employment laws. Some states have additional requirements that employers need to meet when hiring remote workers. For instance:
Tax obligations: Employers must manage state income tax withholding and unemployment insurance based on the employee’s location.
Wage laws: Minimum wage and overtime laws vary by state, and employers need to ensure compliance.
Worker’s compensation: Each state has unique rules, which can complicate coverage for employees working remotely in different locations.
These administrative hurdles are why some companies restrict remote work to specific states or regions within the U.S.
World Challenges
Working from anywhere might sound like a dream, but it comes with unique challenges. For example, if an employee decides to work from a country with strained relations with their home country, such as Russia for U.S. citizens, this could lead to legal concerns.
Even working from seemingly neutral countries can present challenges. Some nations have complex visa requirements or prohibit foreigners from conducting paid work without specific permits, which could put employees at legal risk.
How Does This Impact You?
If you’re searching for a remote job, don’t assume "remote work" automatically equals "work from anywhere."
Ask the employer: During interviews, confirm whether the role allows you to work from anywhere or if there are location-based limitations.
Understand the regulations: Familiarize yourself with tax and legal obligations tied to your location if you’re planning to work abroad.
So, No Working from the Beach?
Before packing your laptop and heading to a beach in Brazil, confirm with your HR department if it’s permissible under company policy. Even if your job claims to be remote, working from a foreign country could lead to compliance issues, such as violating tax laws or breaching employment agreements.
Kristen Fife's profile: https://www.linkedin.com/in/kmfife/
Full article: https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/understanding-remote-work-from-employer-side-kristen-fife-she-her-/
Bình luận