Remote Work Glossary

Every remote working term, phrase, and expression explained.

A

Activity Log

An Activity Log is a record of tasks, activities, or actions performed over a certain period of time. Useful for tracking productivity in remote work.

Adaptability

Adaptability is an essential quality for remote workers and refers to the ability to quickly and effectively adjust to change, such as new tools, workflows, or team members.

Agile Methodology

The agile methodology is a type of project management process, primarily used for software development, where demands and solutions evolve through the collaborative effort of self-organizing and cross-functional teams.

Agile Workforce

An agile workforce is a workforce design that emphasizes flexibility, with the ability to swiftly adjust to the changing needs and conditions of the business.

Asynchronous Communication

Asynchronous communication is a way of communicating that does not require immediate response or presence, which allows team members in different time zones to collaborate effectively.

B

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD)

Bring Your Own Device (BYOD) is a policy that allows employees to use their own laptops, tablets, and smartphones for work.

Boundaryless Work

Boundaryless work is when work is not limited to the confines of a traditional office environment.

Bootstrapping

Bootstrapping means starting and growing a company with personal savings or little cash from first sales.

Burnout

Burnout is a state of physical, emotional, and mental exhaustion caused by excessive and prolonged stress. It's crucial for remote workers and teams to manage workloads and stress levels to prevent burnout.

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO)

Business Process Outsourcing (BPO) refers to contracting non-primary business activities and functions to a third-party provider, often in a different country. BPO services include payroll, human resources, and call centers.

C

Cloud-Based Technology

Cloud-Based Technology is a term that refers to applications, services, or resources made available to users on demand over the Internet from cloud computing provider's servers.

Cloud Storage

Cloud Storage is a service model in which data is maintained, managed, backed up remotely, and made available to users over a network (typically the internet).

Co-living Space

A co-living space is a modern form of communal living where people with shared interests, intentions, and values cohabit in a space and share amenities.

Collaboration Tools

Collaboration tools are software designed to help teams work together seamlessly, such as project management software, communication tools, and file-sharing apps.

Co-located Team

A co-located team refers to a traditional team setting where all members are physically located in the same office or workspace. A co-located team can benefit from direct, face-to-face communication.

Co-location

Co-location is the practice of having employees work at the same physical location. Co-location can promote collaboration and communication but lacks the flexibility of remote work.

Compressed Working Week

A compressed working week involves squeezing a full week's work into fewer days. A compressed working week can provide remote workers with long weekends or midweek breaks to help balance work and personal life.

Conference Call

A conference call is a method of communication that allows multiple people to speak and listen in on a single call, irrespective of their physical location. Conference calls are a key tool for remote collaboration.

Conference Room

A conference room is a physical room for meetings, presentations, or conferences. In a remote work setup, a virtual conference room may refer to a digital space where video meetings are conducted.

Co-working Space

A co-working space is a shared workspace where individuals, often not employed by the same organization, can work independently or collaboratively.

D

Decentralized Workforce

A decentralized workforce refers to a team of workers that aren't based in a single, central location. Instead, each worker operates from a separate location, such as their home or a coworking space.

Dematerialization

Dematerialization is the shift from physical resources to digital ones. Dematerialization is a major factor driving remote work, as digital files and cloud computing replace physical paperwork and office equipment.

Dispersed Team

A dispersed team refers to a team whose members are spread out over a wide geographical area. Dispersed teams rely on digital technologies to communicate and collaborate.

Digital Economy

The digital economy is based on digital computing technologies, mediated by the internet, and the people who use these technologies for their livelihood.

Digital Migrant

A digital migrant is someone who moves from one country to another for work, using technology to perform their job.

Digital Transformation

Digital Transformation refers to the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business, fundamentally changing how companies operate and deliver value to customers.

Digital Work

Digital work encompasses any work that utilizes digital technologies, tools, or resources. Digital work is inherently flexible and can often be completed from any location with internet access.

Distance Work

Distance work is another term for remote work, where the employee performs their role away from a traditional office environment. Distance work is becoming increasingly common as technology improves.

Distributed Team

A distributed team is a team that works together remotely from different geographical locations.

Distributed Workforce

A Distributed Workforce refers to workers that carry out their professional duties from various locations rather than a central workspace.

Dropshipping

Dropshipping is an online business model allowing entrepreneurs to start an online business and sell products to their buyers without stocking the items themselves.

E

Ergonomics

Ergonomics is the study of people's efficiency in their working environment. Digital nomads have to be mindful of ergonomics, especially when working from non-traditional workplaces.

Ergonomic Workspace

An ergonomic workspace is an efficient, comfortable, and safe working environment designed to promote health and productivity.

eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL)

eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) is a global standard for exchanging business information. It's an open, free standard based on XML. For remote teams working in finance or with financial data, knowledge of XBRL may be important.

F

Flextime / Flexitime

Flextime is a flexible hours policy that allows remote workers to alter workday start and finish times.

Flexible Schedule

Flexible schedule is a work schedule that allows workers to vary their arrival and departure times.

Freelancer

A freelancer is a self-employed individual who offers services, usually to businesses and often to multiple clients at a time.

Fully Remote Company

A fully remote company is an organization with no central office, and all employees work remotely.

Full-Time Remote Work

Full-time remote work refers to employees who work remotely for the entirety of their working hours, rather than splitting their time between a physical office and a remote location.

Future of Work

Future of Work refers to how work will change in the future, largely due to technological advancements. The future of work is increasingly remote and flexible, with more reliance on digital technologies.

G

Garden Office

A garden office is a dedicated workspace in a garden or yard, typically in a shed or purpose-built structure. A garden office offers a separate, focused environment for remote work, away from household distractions.

Gig Economy

The gig economy is an economic environment in which temporary, flexible jobs are commonplace, and companies hire independent contractors and freelancers instead of full-time employees.

Global Remote Team

A global remote team is a group of individuals who work together from different geographical locations and rely on technology to collaborate.

H

Home Office

Home Office is a space within an individual's residence designated for work. A home office is a common setup for remote workers.

Hot Desking

Hot desking is an office organization system involving multiple workers using a single physical workstation or desk during different periods.

Hybrid Work Model

A hybrid work model is when employees split their time between working in the office and working remotely.

Hybrid-Remote

Hybrid Remote is a working model where some employees work on-site while others work remotely. Hybrid-remote setups offer a balance between traditional and remote work.

Huddle Room

The huddle room is a small, private meeting area that typically seats 3-6 people and is equipped with teleconferencing and collaboration technologies. Despite being designed for office use, the concept can be adapted for virtual "huddle" meetings in remote teams.

I

Inclusivity

Inclusivity is the practice of including people who might otherwise be excluded or marginalized. In a remote work context, this could ensure that all team members, regardless of location, have an equal opportunity to contribute and be heard.

Internet of Things (IoT)

The Internet of Things (IoT) is a network of physical devices, vehicles, buildings, and other items embedded with electronics, software, sensors, and network connectivity, enabling these objects to collect and exchange data.

Instant Messaging

Instant messaging is a type of online chat that offers real-time text transmission, used frequently in remote work environments.

J

Job Flexibility

Job flexibility refers to the ability to work flexible hours, work part-time, work from home, or otherwise have a flexible work schedule. In a remote work context, job flexibility is often considered a key advantage.

Job Rotation

Job rotations are the practice of moving employees between different tasks to promote experience and variety. This can still be implemented in a remote work setting, albeit with a focus on different types of virtual tasks or roles.

Just-In-Time Learning

Just-In-Time Learning is a concept that involves learning on-demand - acquiring new knowledge or skills at the precise moment they are needed. In the context of remote work, this can include learning new digital tools or software, new communication protocols, or new strategies for productivity and time management.

K

Kanban

Kanban is a visual framework used to implement Agile that encourages small, incremental updates to projects or systems. It's useful in managing work in progress in the context of a team

Knowledge Economy

The Knowledge-Economy refers to an economy in which growth is dependent on the quantity, quality, and accessibility of the information available, rather than the means of production.

L

Location Independent

Location Independent is a work style that allows professionals to work out of coffee shops, co-working spaces, or wherever they feel most productive, irrespective of their geographical location.

Long-Distance Management

Long-distance management is the act of managing teams or individuals from a distance, often associated with remote work.

M

Microwork

Microwork is a series of small tasks which together comprise a large unified project, often used in the context of paid crowdsourcing or remote work.

Mobile Office

A mobile office refers to a work environment that can be easily moved and set up in various locations, often simply a laptop, phone, and internet connection.

Mobile Workforce

A mobile workforce refers to professionals not tied to a specific physical location and can fulfill their duties from any location.

MOJO (Mobile Journalist)

MOJO (Mobile Journalist) refers to a journalist who uses lightweight, often mobile devices, to research, record, compile, and share stories.

N

Network Security

Network Security refers to measures taken to protect a network from different types of threats while working online.

Nomad Worker

A nomad worker, also known as a digital nomad, is an individual who uses technology to perform their job while leading a nomadic lifestyle, moving from one location to another.

O

Off-site Meeting

Off-site Meeting is a meeting that takes place outside of the traditional office environment, such as at a different company location, a restaurant, or online. Off-site meetings can provide variety and potentially increase engagement.

Online Password Vaults

Online Password Vaults are digital services that securely store login credentials for various websites and applications. Online password vaults are vital for remote workers to manage and secure their digital identities.

Online Meeting

Online meetings are meetings that take place over the internet using video conferencing software, which is often used in remote work

Outsourcing

Outsourcing is the business practice of hiring a party outside a company to perform services and create goods traditionally performed in-house by the company's employees and staff.

P

Perpetual Traveler (PT)

A Perpetual Traveler (PT) is a person who resides in multiple countries throughout the year to minimize tax liability or for lifestyle reasons.

Pivot

In the context of business, a pivot usually means to shift to a new business strategy. Remote workers, who often run their own businesses or freelance remotely, may have to pivot based on changing market conditions or personal circumstances.

Productivity Tools

Productivity tools are software or applications that help individuals accomplish tasks more efficiently and effectively and are particularly essential for remote work.

Project Management Tools

Project management tools are software and applications for managing projects and facilitating collaboration among remote team members.

Q

Quiet Hours

Quiet hours are designated periods during which distractions are minimized so that individuals can focus on their work.

R

Residency Permit

A residency permit is a document or card required in some regions, allowing a foreign national to reside in a country for a certain length of time. This is important for remote workers planning to stay in one location for an extended period.

Remote Employee Engagement

Remote Employee Engagement is the measure of an employee's passion and commitment to their work, team, and organization, which can be a unique challenge in remote work.

Remote First Company

A remote-first company is an organization that prioritizes remote work, with policies and practices that are designed with remote workers in mind.

Remote Hiring

Remote Hiring is the process of recruiting, interviewing, and onboarding employees entirely online. Remote hiring allows companies to source talent globally, rather than being restricted by geographical limitations.

Remote Work

Remote Work is a work arrangement in which employees do not commute to a central place of work. Instead, they work outside of a traditional office environment.

Remote Worker (also Free-Range Worker)

Remote Worker (also Free-Range Worker) is an employee who performs their work duties outside of a traditional office environment, often from home, a coworking space, or while traveling.

Resilience

In a remote work context, resilience often refers to the ability to handle technical difficulties, communication barriers, and other challenges that can arise when working remotely.

Retreat for Remote Teams

Retreats for remote teams are organized trips for remote employees to meet and collaborate in person, often in a leisurely setting.

S

Satellite Office

A satellite office is a smaller office that is separate from a company's main office. Satellite offices can serve remote workers who prefer a traditional office environment but live far from the company's main location.

Scrum

Scrum is an agile framework for managing knowledge work, with an emphasis on software development.

Single Source of Truth (SSoT)

A Single Source of Truth (SSoT) is a concept where data is stored, maintained, and updated in just one place. SSoT is critical in remote work to ensure consistency and accuracy of information.

Solopreneur

A solopreneur is an entrepreneur who works alone ("solo") running their business single-handedly. They might have contractors for hire, yet have full responsibility for running their business. This term is relevant to remote working because many solopreneurs decide to relocate and work remotely to save money and invest in their businesses.

Synchronous Communication

Synchronous communication means real-time communication that happens instantly. Examples are video calls or instant messaging.

Staying in the Loop

The expression "Staying in the loop" refers to being informed about what's going on within the team or the company. In a remote work setup, clear and regular communication is crucial for everyone to stay in the loop.

T

Telecommuting

Telecommuting means working from a location other than a traditional office, often from home, by using modern technology and telecommunications to remain connected.

Telepresence

Telepresence is a set of technologies that allow a person to feel as if they were present, to give the appearance of being present, or to have an effect, via telerobotics, at a place other than their true location.

Telework

Telework is the practice of working from home or a location other than the traditional office.

Time Management Apps

Time management apps are digital tools that assist in scheduling, planning, and effectively managing one's time. These apps are especially useful for remote workers to stay organized and productive.

Time Zone Differences

Time zone differences refer to when team members are spread out across different time zones, which can create challenges in terms of communication and scheduling. Remote teams often have to find ways to manage and work around these differences.

Time Zone Independence

Time zone independence refers to the ability to work at any time of day, irrespective of the traditional 9-5 schedule, which often requires synchronizing with colleagues in different time zones.

U

Uberisation

Uberisation is the conversion of existing jobs and services into discrete tasks that can be requested on demand. This is an increasingly common practice in the gig economy.

Ubiquitous Computing (UbiComp)

Ubiquitous Computing (UbiComp) is a concept in software engineering and computer science where computing is made to appear everywhere and anywhere, enabling individuals to carry out tasks and work from any location.

Unified Communications

Unified Communication is the combination of various communication methods within a business.

V

Version Control

Version control is a system that records changes to a file or set of files over time to recall specific versions later. This is particularly useful for remote teams working on complex documents or software development.

Virtual Onboarding

Virtual onboarding is the process of integrating a new remote employee into a company and its culture. It is a key process for remote teams and can involve virtual meetings, online training sessions, and digital welcome packages.

Virtual Office

A virtual office is a work environment where employees operate remotely from their homes or other locations, but communication and collaboration are maintained through various forms of technology.

Virtual Phone System

A virtual phone system is an internet-based system that allows individuals or companies to manage business phone calls without relying on traditional telephone lines. Virtual phone systems enable remote workers to maintain professional communication from any location.

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol)

VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) is a technology that allows voice calls to be made using a broadband Internet connection instead of a traditional phone line. VoIP is an important tool for remote workers as it enables calls to be made from any device with an internet connection, regardless of location.

VPN (Virtual Private Network)

A VPN is a tool used to create a secure network connection over a public network, often used by remote workers to access secure company resources.

W

Wi-Fi Tribe

The Wi-Fi Tribe is a community of remote workers who choose to live, work, and travel together. They're location-independent professionals who believe in a sustainable balance of work and play.

Workation

A workation is a combination of work and vacation, where individuals continue working while traveling and exploring new locations.

Work From Anywhere (WFA)

Work From Anywhere (WFA) is a policy that allows employees to work from any location they choose, whether it's their home, a coffee shop, or a different country.

Work-Life Balance

Work-Life Balance refers to the equilibrium between personal life and career work, often a major consideration for remote workers.

X

X-as-a-Service (XaaS)

X-as-a-Service (XaaS) is a general term for services related to cloud computing and remote access, representing a product or function delivered online. This could include Software-as-a-Service (SaaS), Platform-as-a-Service (PaaS), and Infrastructure-as-a-Service (IaaS).

Y

Yes-Man Syndrome

The Yes-Man Syndrome refers to the difficulty in saying 'no' to additional tasks or responsibilities, often experienced by remote workers due to the blurred lines between personal and professional life.

YOYO (You're On Your Own)

YOYO (You're On Your Own) is a term used to describe the self-reliant nature of remote work and the digital nomad lifestyle.

Z

Zero Commute

Zero commute refers to the elimination of commuting time as a result of working from home. One of the many advantages of remote work is the time saved by having zero commutes.

Zero Inbox

The Zero Inbox is an email management technique aimed at keeping the user's email inbox empty, or almost empty, at all times. This technique may be especially useful for remote workers who rely heavily on email for communication.

Zeitgeist

Zeitgeist is the defining spirit or mood of a particular period of history, as shown by the ideas and beliefs of the time. The rise of remote working can be seen as part of the zeitgeist of the internet age, reflecting changing beliefs about work, life, and the balance between them.

Zoof

Zoof is a term used in the Netherlands to refer to a flexible workspace that can be rented for a short period, often by the hour, making it a useful resource for digital nomads.

Let us know if we missed any remote work terms!

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