No, they are not the same

Morenikeji Abiona

Have you ever come across the term ‘Remote-Friendly’ on a job description and applied because you thought it was the same as a “Remote” role?

Oh well, I know you possibly have and I’m not going to crucify you at all. We learn every day, right?

So, this is the day you unlearn what you knew and learn the actual meaning of these proximity terms. First, let’s learn about the terms themselves before we move to the differences between them. Currently, in the world of work, there are three major proximity options, which are:

On-site, Remote, and Hybrid. Got it? Cool! Now, let’s talk about the differences.

On-site: Working on-site means you have to go to where your company is located every day of work. This means that for you to be efficient and effective, it’s best that you reside in the same geographical location as the company. For instance, if you live in Ethiopia or Enugu, you should not apply for a job in Lagos unless you have a home in Lagos and are willing to fully relocate.

Fully Remote: This is also known as “Fully Remote,” and it just means that you can work from your home or from anywhere in the world. I must say, as long as you have no distractions, great internet, and a constant electricity supply, you are good.

Hybrid: Now, this is the guy that tries to confuse us, but we shall not be confused. Sometimes, in fact, most times, it’s called ‘Remote-Friendly’. It’s called so because it perfectly describes the term as a mix of both on-site and remote work.

On some days, you’d work from home, while on other days, you’d go to work in the office. Please note that the frequency or design of how this plays out is dependent on your organization’s structure. Also, just like on-site, you are required to be in the geographical location of your company to be efficient and effective.

When it comes to job models, the world has turned a new page. The door to remote and hybrid work has opened and will likely remain open indefinitely. These new arrangements will continue to benefit both employees and companies. Working from home, whether full-time or part-time, will undoubtedly become increasingly common as technology and business processes evolve.

We’re sure you now know the differences between these terms and that they would guide you when applying for jobs. Save yourself the rejections by applying for the right jobs. We wish you the best in your tech career!