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Why remote work isn’t just a perk
It’s an insurance policy
Anna Codrea-Rado
January 09, 2024
Welcome to Borderless. Every week, we handpick the best links on digital nomads, remote work and global mobility to help you navigate the quirks of living and working on the internet.
As someone who works from home, I sometimes feel disconnected from peers who have 9-5s, commutes, and office wardrobes. My relationship with work is much more fluid, the blurred work-life boundaries have meant that my job is more integrated into my life, and my commute is the walk from my bed to my desk.
This week’s links tell the story of why remote companies are the future. There are pieces on why remote work isn’t just a perk, insights from the companies doing it well, and an iconic essay about corporate jargon.
Wherever you are in the world right now, have a joyful and productive week.
In a world plagued by disruptions, remote work-readiness isn’t a perk, it’s an insurance policy — and companies that lack remote-work infrastructure risk succumbing to the storm. Will the ability to handle the unexpected become a defining factor in a company's success?
John Bai et al for Harvard Business Review
As more tech startups embrace a remote-first approach to work, location-based pay — adjusting salaries to match local living costs — has become increasingly common. Companies like Zillow and SafetyWing, however, have decided to go in a different direction…
Alex Christian for BBC
Automation software company Zapier didn’t intend to create a remote-first business. They started without an office to save on costs but quickly discovered that remote work forced good habits like thorough documentation and clear communication. Zapier also stumbled on a surprising strategy for building happy remote teams…
Steve Mollman for Fortune
A new report found that companies with fully flexible remote work policies grow 16% faster than companies with more restrictive policies. Is it time to retire the idea that the office is the most productive place for work?
Jena McGregor for Forbes
Too many companies have an opaque way of speaking — not just to their customers but also to each other. “The hideous nature of these words — their facility to warp and impede communication — is also their purpose”.
Molly Young for Vulture
Short-term rentals might be convenient, but they don’t let nomads meet and connect with others on similar journeys. There’s a gap in the market for housing that lets nomads work and socialize, all under one roof. After testing a solution in North America, one company is finally bringing it to Europe.
Justin Dawes for Skift
🗳️ Poll: What do you think of location-based pay for remote work?Let us know👇 |