Traveling From Work: Navigating The Home-Away-From-Home Experience

Travelling between work and home is often referred to as commuting. However, the rise of remote working has led to a shift in the way we think about work and travel. Remote work means an employee works away from the office, often from home, and this can be on a permanent or temporary basis. Remote workers may be part of a distributed company, where employees are spread out across different regions, or a hybrid company, where some employees work remotely while others are office-based.

Remote assignment

A remote assignment is a task that requires an employee to work outside their regular workplace, often in a different city or country. The term typically refers to a short-term arrangement, such as a one-day trip to install equipment in another location.

Remote work, also known as telecommuting or telework, has become increasingly common since the 1970s due to technological advancements. It involves completing work outside of a central office, usually from home. This practice offers several benefits, including reduced costs for employers and employees, increased flexibility and autonomy for employees, and a positive environmental impact by eliminating commutes.

However, remote work also presents certain challenges, such as a lack of face-to-face interaction, difficulties in maintaining boundaries between work and personal life, and potential distractions. Additionally, remote assignments may not be suitable for all types of work, especially those requiring frequent and complex communication or a high level of teamwork.

When undertaking a remote assignment, employees may receive additional compensation, known as a "per diem," to cover living expenses during their time away from home.

Per diem

Companies usually have their own per diem policies, often using the GSA rate as a guideline. They may provide a company credit card, full or partial expense coverage, or a fixed daily rate. A per diem payment may cover expenses fully or partially, and it can be a more efficient and cost-effective way for both the company and the employee to manage travel expenses.

For federal government employees, the standard per diem rate applies to approximately 2,600 U.S. counties. There are also non-standard, location-specific rates that apply to high-cost areas. The rates are based on the cost of living in a particular city or county.

It is important to note that per diem payments above the standard government rates are taxable. Employees may choose to return any excess amount above the government rate to the company to avoid taxation. Additionally, employees must submit a business expense report within 60 days of the conclusion of the trip to substantiate their expenses.

Temporary duty

In the United States, TDY travel is governed by the Federal Travel Regulation (FTR) and other relevant laws and directives. TDY travellers are expected to conduct themselves in a cost-effective and efficient manner, exercising prudence when incurring expenses. They are also required to use government-issued travel charge cards and document all travel arrangements, authorisations, and vouchers.

TDY travel typically begins when an employee leaves their residence, primary duty location (PDL), or other duty location within their official duty station (ODS) and ends when they return to their residence or duty location within the ODS. Reimbursement of expenses is generally limited to the most cost-advantageous method of transportation, and travellers may be reimbursed for expenses such as tips, laundry, and per diem allowances, subject to certain limitations and requirements.

TDY travel may involve the use of various modes of transportation, including common carrier services, government-owned vehicles, privately-owned vehicles, or special conveyances. The selection of the mode of transportation is typically made by authorised officials, taking into account factors such as cost, efficiency, and the availability of different options.

Overall, TDY travel is a well-defined and regulated process that involves employees or non-employees conducting work-related travel on behalf of a government or other official body, with a focus on cost-effectiveness, documentation, and adherence to established policies and procedures.

Off-site

The COVID-19 pandemic saw a rapid transition to remote work for many white-collar workers, with some companies adopting a hybrid model that combines remote and in-office working. Off-site working can offer several benefits, including reduced costs for employers and employees, increased flexibility and autonomy for employees, and a more diverse and geographically distributed workforce.

However, there are also some drawbacks to off-site working. It can be more challenging to establish common ground and effective communication when team members are not physically together. Remote work may also impact employees' motivation, satisfaction, and sense of connection to their colleagues and the company. Additionally, off-site working can blur the boundaries between work and non-work life, potentially leading to an increased workload and negative impacts on mental health.

Work trip

Travelling to and from work is often referred to as commuting. When you travel for work, this is commonly called a work trip or business trip. This could involve travelling to a client's office, or to a different branch or location of your company.

If you are sent to another location by your company for a short period, this is known as a remote assignment or, in the US military, a temporary duty (TDY). If you are sent to work directly for another company, this is known as a secondment.

If you work remotely on a permanent or near-permanent basis, you are considered a remote employee or remote worker. Remote work usually involves working from home, though it can also mean working in a coworking space or another location away from your company's offices.

A company that employs remote workers is known as a remote-first company, or a remote-friendly company if working remotely is optional. If a company has a physical office but also allows employees to work remotely, it is known as a hybrid company or a hybrid-remote company.

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