What is the difference between home office and remote work?

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What is the difference between home office and remote work?

October 19 / 2021

Sometimes the terms home office and remote work are confused by establishing similar definitions between themselves. At Cloudworks we tell you what these differences are to find out which methodology is best suited to you.

In the current pandemic situation, the terms home office and teleworking are increasingly popular among professionals. In fact, both teleworking and working from home have seen a boom in the world of work. 

These concepts are often used as synonyms but are actually very different. For example, the home office is usually applied sporadically, but remote is a permanent system (as long as the agreed expectations are met). 

But there are other features that make the difference between working from home and teleworking. At Cloudworks we tell you all of them so you can discover which one is the most beneficial for you. 

What is home office?

This Anglo-Saxon terminology means that the work is done from home, either by decision of the company or the professional. But the home office also allows you to work from the office. For example, a professional works from home when they do not have a meeting scheduled for that day. 

Although for many the home office has meant an improvement in their quality of work life, for others it is an unproductive practice. As announced by the newspaper El País in its most recent article, working from home is already tiring. This is demonstrated by various surveys carried out by Fiverr or Capgemini. 

40% of those surveyed in Spain declare that it is difficult for them to separate professional life from social life now that all their activities take place in the same space. On the other hand, 56% of younger professionals fear constant stress as a result of not being able to disconnect from work. 

Work from home burnout is a reality for many. For this reason, companies have begun to look for solutions that adapt to the current changing scenarios, and allow them to maintain the productivity and well-being of their teams. 

In this scenario, teleworking, which is not done from home, is an attractive proposal.

What is remote working?

In general, remote work and working from home are quite similar, however this term applies to remote work from anywhere other than the professional’s home.

It is ideal for digital nomads who prove to be more efficient working from a coffee shop, coworking space, or anywhere else away from the structure of a classic office. 

This way they have access to the best of both worlds: 

  • Leaving home and disconnecting from home obligations
  • Adopt new workspaces that help increase their productivity. 

Remote work requires different capabilities, resources and skills. To apply it successfully, a self-taught attitude and very high levels of time management are necessary. The worker also needs digital systems and/or tools to have a good connection, coordination and communication with colleagues.

One of the advantages of teleworking is that it allows you to create your own work environment, creating the space that best suits you.

Differences between home office and teleworking

  Now that we have a clear description of each of these terms, we are going to delve a little deeper into the differences between them. In this way you will know which practice best suits your company. 

Home office

This working method is what you do when you take your corporate laptop home on a Tuesday to work on a project. It is a work type that does not exclude the office forever, but that gives you the flexibility to be able to better combine your work obligations with those at home.

When you work from home, all the logistics necessary to carry out your work remain the responsibility of the organization. The same hierarchical and operational structures are also maintained, such as complying with the established schedule. The latter could be modified, if an agreement is reached with the company, to provide greater flexibility.

Teleworking is seen as a benefit that can be included in the contract. The way in which it is applied is variable, since it is not necessary to complete the entire working day from home. 

This modality allows you to work half a day from the office, and half from the comfort of your sofa.

Remote work

Remote work is not a benefit, but an organization method that aims to optimize the productivity of professionals by allowing them to have greater control over how, where and when they work. 

This system is also applied contractually, specifying in advance the terms of the agreement (schedule, objectives to be met, etc.). Although it is true that the professional can choose the space that best suits their needs, the work tools will always be provided by the company. 

Taking into account that it is a permanent methodology; the integration of ICT tools is necessary to guarantee good communication and organization. 

Remote work has adapted to the needs of a changing and globalized world of work. That is why it is usually applied in cases where the professional is allowed to reside abroad.

It is in this type of work that coworking spaces like the ones we provide at Cloudworks are especially beneficial. Our spaces provide great flexibility for professionals who only need a laptop to work. 

Compared to working alone at home, coworking spaces offer great advantages by being in a community: increased creativity, improved motivation and the possibility of networking with other professionals in the sector. 

In addition, our spaces offer work areas equipped with everything you need so you can carry out your work in total comfort. Contact us now and discover all the types of work we offer. 

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