Talking About Remote Work: 5 Terms You Need to Know (Blog Post)

• English

Unclear about the difference between “remote” and “flex” work—let alone “virtual”?  You’re not alone. For years, employers referred to “virtual workers” and “telecommuters.” But as the workplace changes rapidly, so does the lexicon.

Catalyst recently updated its nomenclature to align with the latest thinking. Below, we’ve compiled a list of 5 terms every manager and employee needs to know in the 2020 workplace. Share with your colleagues, teams, and leaders to ensure that everyone is speaking the same language.

Compressed Work Week

Work schedule that includes longer workdays earlier in the week to achieve a longer weekend. Examples include working longer hours on Mondays through Thursdays and then a half-day on Fridays; working longer hours for one full week and the subsequent Monday through Thursday to have every other Friday off.

Distributed Team

Team of employees who work in different locations and time zones, which may include home offices and the organization’s physical offices.

Flex Work

Work arrangement that can include flexible start and stop times, flexible hours across the week, compressed workweek, telecommuting/ remote work, part-time work, and job-sharing.

Remote Work

Work done in a location other than the organization’s physical office. An employee who works from home is one type of remote worker, but remote workers can work from anywhere. Those who work remotely are not “virtual,” which connotes not being real. (See below.) “Teleworkers” and “telecommuters” are used interchangeably with “remote workers.”

Virtual

Describes a thing or experience that replicates or simulates an in-person thing or experience. A virtual awards ceremony, for example, is a celebration that brings together the award recipient and other attendees via online communications platforms rather than through an in-person event.