A remote worker is an employee who conducts their job from wherever they want — they are completely location independent and do not have to report to a central office. 

There are many benefits to remote work, for employees and employees alike. These benefits include:

• Less time commuting for employees
• Employers can minimize costs by reducing office space
• Employers can hire from a wide talent pool
• Increased employee productivity
• Improved work-life balance 
• Increased employee retention rates
• Improved company culture
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For a remote worker to be successful in their job, they need to have excellent work ethic, organizational skills, and project management skills. However, it’s not all up to the employee. The employer is responsible for guaranteeing an effective remote work approach.  

Essential elements in having a successful remote workforce include:

• A reliable and strong Internet connection to support video calls and work-related functions
• The necessary software and tools to complete tasks
• Communication channels, like Slack, implemented on all employee equipment
• A clear outline of work expectations, schedules, and deadlines
• Regularly-scheduled virtual team-building activities
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Many companies are hiring an increasingly large number of remote workers. Wwith this, companies — especially those hiring beyond their own borders — need to emphasize labor and tax compliance. 

In the instance that an employer is found noncompliant, they may face hefty financial fines and legal penalties. When hiring remote employees abroad, one way to guarantee compliance is to work with an Employer of Record (EOR).