Telecommuting, virtual job, telework, remote job, home-based job – Do these terms mean the same thing? Learn more!

What is a Remote Job? (What is Remote Work?)

By Brie Weiler Reynolds

What does working remotely mean? (What does a remote job mean?)

If you’re searching for a job that allows you to work from home (wfh jobs), you might be surprised at the variety of terms used to describe this type of job. Telecommuting, virtual job, remote job, home-based job – these terms are usually used as synonyms for one another. They all define a job that is not done from inside a traditional office.

Below, we’re breaking it all down to help you find the remote work arrangement that truly “works” for you.

Note: 

FlexJobs is a subscription service for job seekers that features flexible and remote jobs. With an A+ rating from the Better Business Bureau, the monthly subscription costs allow us to fully vet and verify all of the jobs on our site—ensuring that customers have a safe and positive job searching experience.

WFH Meaning – What does WFH stand for?

WFH stands for work from home and is often used as a shorthand abbreviation for remote work done from home.

Where Can You Work Remotely?

Actually, it depends. According to FlexJobs’ data, about 95% of remote job listings require a worker to be based in a certain location. That means only 5% of remote positions are truly “work-from-anywhere jobs.”

The most common reasons for requiring remote workers to be based in a specific location—like a state, country, region, or time zone—include legal and tax issues, professional licensing, availability for on-site training or meetings, travel requirements, or to be close to clients.

Location-based remote jobs generally fall into one of three categories:

• US National jobs, which can be done from anywhere in the United States
• International country-specific jobs, which are based somewhere outside of the country
• City or state-based jobs, which require staff to be located in a specific area of the U.S.

Jobs that can be done from anywhere in the world are usually fully remote positions that allow you to work from home—or wherever you choose.

 Levels of Remote Work

There are several different levels of remote work, depending on the employer’s needs. At FlexJobs, we list remote jobs as one of the following:

• 100% Remote Work: These positions are fully remote and allow you to work from home for all of your working hours, with no in-office time or travel required.
• Hybrid Remote Work: Partial remote jobs either require some travel or some time in the company’s office.
• Option for Remote Work: These jobs give workers the option to either work from home or go into the office—or both.

What Types of Jobs Can Be Done Remotely?

Because the term “remote job” refers solely to the location of the position, any type of schedule can be classified as a remote job. For instance, remote jobs can have either part-time and full-time hours, and they can have temporary, flexible, and/or alternative schedules.

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Remote Work Schedules

When it comes to schedules, some remote jobs require you to work during “business hours,” whatever that might mean for the company. This could be the standard 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. or something different.

Others may require you to be available during “core hours,” which is usually a block of three to four hours midday when most workers will be working. This way, you’re guaranteed to have some overlapping work time with your coworkers. Another option is a completely flexible schedule where you set your own hours. Your only requirement in these situations is to work a certain number of hours each week.

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Freelance vs. Employee

Remote jobs can be employee-based jobs or freelance jobs, depending on how the employer sets up the role. If you’re a remote employee, you’ll work virtually as a staff member for a company. Remote independent contractors or freelancers contract with a business and then work virtually.

Both remote employees and remote freelancers work remotely, so what are the differences?

Remote employee jobs are subject to the same laws regarding benefits provision that traditional brick-and-mortar companies abide by. If a company provides its in-office employees with health insurance, 401(k) plans, vacation and sick time, and other similar benefits, those benefits should be available to the remote employees as well. Freelance workers (whether they’re remote or not) are responsible for their own benefits.

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Top Remote Career Categories

In addition to a large variety of schedules and hours, remote jobs are available in a huge number of career categories. Although each of the 50+ job categories on FlexJobs has available remote jobs, some of the top (and fastest growing!) fields for remote work include:

(Read more on remote work statistics).

Finding a Remote Job or WFH Job

With so many available locations, levels, schedules, and job categories, remote work has something to offer everyone. If you're looking for a remote job, learn how we can help!

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