What is work from anywhere (WFA)?

Work from anywhere (WFA) is a remote work policy that lets employees work from any location globally. Unlike traditional remote work, WFA policies give workers complete location independence while employers handle complex compliance and payroll across borders—a crucial model as 35.5 million people teleworked in the first quarter of 2024 alone. This guide covers the key differences, benefits, implementation steps, and challenges of WFA policies.

Interested in Oyster but want more information about how the platform works? This product overview should help.

What's the difference between WFA and remote work?

The key difference? Remote work typically requires employees to stay within the same country as their employer, while WFA allows true global location independence. Traditional remote work includes work from home and hybrid work arrangements, often with geographic restrictions to avoid tax and legal complications.

WFA is on the more flexible end of the spectrum where companies give workers the freedom to choose where they work from and use global employment platforms, like Oyster, to navigate the complexities of having team members in foreign countries.

Benefits of work from anywhere policies

So, what are the actual benefits of implementing a WFA policy? Here are the key advantages that make companies competitive:

• Global talent access: Hire the best person for the role, regardless of their location, which is critical given a McKinsey survey found 87% of executives feel their companies are unprepared to address the skill gap.

• Enhanced diversity: Build teams with varied perspectives and cultural backgrounds, expanding opportunities to global talent pools and potentially increasing access for groups who are currently less likely to telework.

• Higher retention: Offer unmatched flexibility that today's workers value, as a portion of the workforce says they will leave if required to come in more.

• Cost savings: Reduce overhead by minimizing physical office requirements

• Operational efficiency: Empower teams with the autonomy they need to thrive

How to implement a successful WFA policy

Ready to implement WFA? Here's your step-by-step roadmap:

• Create clear policies: Define communication expectations, working hours, and performance metrics

• Enable cross-timezone collaboration: Establish guidelines for effective teamwork across time zones

• Invest in the right technology: Secure communication platforms, project management tools, and company resource access

• Ensure compliance: Set up compliant hiring and payroll processes for each country where you hire

• Global Employment Cost Calculator

Challenges of WFA and how to address them

While WFA offers many benefits, it also presents unique challenges. Maintaining a strong company culture without a central office requires deliberate effort, especially since only 30% of leaders strongly believe their organization is building high levels of trust between workers and supervisors. Regular virtual team-building activities and clear communication channels can help foster a sense of connection.

Navigating international labor laws, taxes, and benefits is another significant hurdle. Partnering with a global employment platform can simplify this complexity, ensuring you remain compliant in every country while providing equitable and competitive compensation packages for your team.

Companies with work from anywhere policies

Companies like GitLab, Buffer, and Spotify have successfully implemented WFA policies across industries. These organizations attract top talent by offering true location independence, proving that distributed teams can be highly productive—a trend supported by a survey where 57% of organizations reported a short-term productivity boost with remote work.

Their success demonstrates that with clear policies and the right infrastructure, businesses can operate globally while maintaining strong team engagement and performance.

Enable global work from anywhere with Oyster

Implementing a true work from anywhere policy can feel complex, but it doesn't have to be. Oyster's global employment platform simplifies the entire process. We help you hire, pay, and care for your team in over 180 countries, ensuring full compliance with local laws and regulations.

From generating compliant contracts to managing payroll and benefits, Oyster provides the infrastructure you need to build a thriving distributed team. Ready to unlock a world of talent? Start hiring globally.

FAQ

What are the legal implications of work from anywhere policies?

WFA policies require compliance with local labor laws, tax requirements, and benefits in each country where you hire. A global employment platform helps manage these complex obligations.

Do work from anywhere employees need special technology or equipment?

Yes, WFA employees need reliable internet, secure devices, and role-specific software. Companies typically provide equipment or offer stipends for purchases.

How do you manage productivity with work from anywhere teams?

Focus on outcomes rather than hours worked, using project management tools and regular communication to track progress, as some roles see significant gains—one study found data-entry workers were 18 percent more productive when working from home. Trust and clear expectations are essential for WFA team success.

Disclaimer: This article and all information in it is provided for general informational purposes only. It does not and is not intended to, constitute legal or tax advice. You should consult with a qualified legal or tax professional for advice regarding any legal or tax matter and prior to acting (or refraining from acting) on the basis of any information provided on this website.