HR and Absence Management Glossary

What is Remote Working?

Remote working is a way of working that allows employees to carry out their role from a location outside of a traditional office environment. This may include working from home, a co-working space, or another remote location, either on a full-time basis or as part of a hybrid working arrangement.

Remote working has become increasingly common across many industries, supported by advances in technology that allow employees to communicate, collaborate, and complete their work without needing to be physically present in the workplace. It can be a permanent arrangement, a temporary solution, or used occasionally to support business or personal needs.

Employers typically establish remote working policies to ensure that expectations around productivity, communication, working hours, and data security are clearly defined.

Why is Remote Working Important?

Remote working offers a range of benefits for both employees and organisations. For employees, it can improve work-life balance by reducing commuting time, offering greater flexibility, and enabling a more comfortable working environment. This flexibility can support wellbeing, reduce stress, and make it easier to manage personal responsibilities alongside work.

For employers, remote working can help attract and retain talent, increase employee satisfaction, and improve productivity. It may also reduce overhead costs associated with office space and allow organisations to recruit from a wider geographical talent pool.

Remote working can also play an important role in supporting employees with health conditions, disabilities, or caring responsibilities, making it a valuable tool for creating a more inclusive and supportive workplace.

Types of Remote Working

Remote working can take several different forms depending on the needs of the organisation and the employee:

Fully remote working: Employees work entirely from a remote location and do not attend a physical office on a regular basis.
Hybrid working: Employees split their time between working remotely and attending the workplace. This may involve set office days or flexible arrangements agreed with their employer.
Occasional remote working: Employees usually work in the office but may work remotely on an ad hoc basis when required, such as during travel disruptions, personal commitments, or temporary health issues.
Temporary remote working: Remote working may be introduced for a short period to support business continuity, recovery from illness, or specific personal circumstances.

Managing Remote Working Effectively

To ensure remote working is successful, employers should establish clear policies and expectations. These typically cover working hours, communication methods, performance management, and health and safety responsibilities. Even when working remotely, employees remain entitled to a safe working environment, and employers should ensure that home working setups are suitable and risk assessed where necessary.

Regular communication is essential for maintaining team cohesion and ensuring that remote employees feel connected and supported. Managers should schedule regular check-ins, provide clear objectives, and ensure employees have access to the tools and resources they need to perform their role effectively.

Training for managers can also help them support remote teams, recognise signs of stress or isolation, and maintain consistent performance management practices across both remote and office-based employees.

Remote Working and Employee Wellbeing

While remote working offers many benefits, it can also present challenges. Some employees may experience feelings of isolation, difficulty separating work from home life, or challenges in maintaining collaboration with colleagues. Employers should take proactive steps to support remote employee wellbeing by encouraging regular breaks, promoting healthy working habits, and providing access to wellbeing resources where needed.

Open communication is key. Employees should feel comfortable discussing any challenges they face while working remotely, whether related to workload, mental health, or their home working environment. Providing flexible solutions and ongoing support helps ensure remote working remains sustainable and beneficial.

The Role of Remote Working in Absence Management

Remote working can be a valuable tool in absence management when used appropriately. In some cases, it allows employees to continue working while managing minor illnesses, recovering from injury, or attending medical appointments, reducing the need for sickness absence. It can also support phased returns to work following long-term absence by offering a flexible and comfortable working environment.

GoodShape supports organisations in managing remote working alongside absence management by providing clear visibility into employee availability, sickness absence, and wellbeing trends. Its platform enables employees to report absence or health concerns easily, regardless of where they are working, while giving managers real-time insights into workforce health and attendance.

By centralising absence reporting, return-to-work processes, and access to relevant health services, GoodShape helps organisations ensure that remote working arrangements are supported by consistent absence management practices. This allows employers to balance flexibility with accountability, ensuring employees receive appropriate support while maintaining productivity and engagement.

When integrated into a broader absence management strategy, remote working can help reduce unnecessary absence, support employee wellbeing, and create a more adaptable and resilient workforce.