Work from anywhere policies: everything you need to consider

Introducing a work from anywhere policy could be something to consider when you’re getting to grips with holiday entitlement and employment law for your startup.

A work from anywhere policy isn’t right for everyone, but could it work for your small business? Let’s find out…

What is a work from anywhere policy?

A work from anywhere policy is exactly what it sounds like: it gives your employees the chance to work from any location they want.

It takes the idea of remote working to the next level, giving staff the option to work from anywhere in the world, provided their work obligations can be met. For example, a worker could choose to work abroad whilst on holiday or when visiting family.

The benefits of a work from anywhere policy

Implementing a work from anywhere policy within your organisation can come with a host of benefits, such as:

Improved productivity

Chances are, many employees will be more productive if you offer them the chance to work from anywhere. Not every team member will work well in an office environment, and a work from anywhere policy gives them the chance to find the work setup that works best for them.

Staff working abroad or from a new location will also be keen to use their non-work hours to explore and socialise, meaning there’s less chance of them slacking during working hours, as they’ll aim to avoid having to pick up work in their downtime.

Better work/life balance

Following the COVID-19 pandemic, finding that all important work/life balance has been a top priority for many workers.

A work from anywhere policy can go a long way to helping that. Allowing staff to work from anywhere – be that on holiday, at a family member’s house, or at a local coffee shop – makes it easier for them to strike this balance compared to when they need to be in the office multiple days a week.

Positive company culture

A work from anywhere policy can also help to nurture a positive company culture overall. Offering your staff the chance to work from anywhere they choose requires a huge amount of trust, and showing you have this in your team can boost their morale.

Just remember to implement regular check-ins with work from anywhere staff to ensure they are not overcompensating for the flexibility afforded to them by working more hours than necessary.

The negatives of a work from anywhere policy

Of course, there are also some potential negatives of a work from anywhere policy that you’ll need to consider before you go ahead and implement one.

Lack of in-person connection

Not every company will be able to implement a work from anywhere policy. Some industries and organisations need to operate in person, for example, those in retail or trades such as plumbing or mechanics.

Equally, just because your company may be able to function if your staff work from anywhere, it doesn’t mean they necessarily should. The lack of in-person connection can be detrimental to your business, especially if you rely on collaboration and communication between your staff and teams.

Staff friction

While you may make some employees incredibly happy if you offer the opportunity to work from anywhere, you may also risk alienating some staff too.

If you have staff members who are unable to take up the offer, be that due to their specific job role or due to their own personal or financial circumstances, you risk alienating these team members and causing friction between your employees.

Infrastructure and resources

For your staff to work from anywhere, you will need to ensure that they have access to the infrastructure and resources they need to complete their jobs, which can end up being costly.

While you should provide them with the tools they need to ensure they are not at a disadvantage, there are still aspects that will fall beyond your control. For example, if a team member is working from somewhere with a poor WiFi connection and is unable to log on and work remotely.

Creating a work from anywhere policy

If you’ve decided to create a work from anywhere policy for your business, there are certain factors that you will need to include.

Some of the main points to factor into your policy are:

Management

Who is in charge of managing your remote teams? Make sure it is clear who has the responsibility for remote team members and how you expect them to manage workflows. You will also need to be clear about your expectations for your remote staff. Do they need to be logged on during specific times? Do you expect them to commit to a minimum amount of in-person days?

Laws and regulations

Employment and tax laws differ between countries, regions and states, and as an employer it will be your job to ensure that any work from anywhere policy you introduce meets the laws and regulations of the place your staff intend to work from.

You will need to ensure that your business is legally allowed to operate in the specific region, for example, you need a specific permit to operate in individual US states. You’ll also need to familiarise yourself with the tax laws and requirements of that country – and ensure your staff understand their tax and visa obligations – as well as any specific rules they have surrounding things such as minimum wage and leave allowance.

Restrictions and limits

When crafting your work from anywhere policy you will need to decide if there will be any limits or restrictions to the policy. For example, will staff be permitted to work from anywhere for a set number of days? And does anywhere really mean anywhere, or will some places not be allowed, such as for tax reasons?

Approvals

You’ll also need to decide how the approval process will work for staff who want to work from anywhere. Will it be available to all staff? How will staff request to work from anywhere? Who will approve these requests? It’s likely that you will operate a similar system to the one you already use for approving or refusing annual leave requests.

You’ll also need to think about whether or not staff must meet certain criteria to work from anywhere, such as being with the company for a set amount of time first. Some businesses will also put a ban on staff working from anywhere during busy or key trading periods.

Final thoughts

As you can see, there’s a lot to factor in when creating a work from anywhere policy.

While, for some businesses, the concept of working from anywhere can be great, boosting staff morale and productivity, for others it’s simply not something that would be practical.

If you do decide to implement a work from anywhere policy, the most important thing is to create a policy that works for both your business and your staff, and ensure you communicate the policy and your expectations clearly to employees. Be prepared to negotiate, ensure it is fair for everyone, and remember to keep updating your policy as required.

Lucy Nixon - content writer

With 10 years experience in the digital marketing industry, Lucy is a content writer specialising in ecommerce, website building and all things small business. Her passion is breaking down tricky topics into digestible and engaging content for readers. She's also committed to uncovering the best platforms, tools, and strategies, researching meticulously to providing hand-on tips and advice.