Remote work brings unique opportunities — and challenges. Issues with communication, technology, payroll, accountability, time differences, and morale can occur. On the other hand, it widens the talent pool and can boost savings, competitiveness, productivity, and sustainability.
Remote work is here to stay. So how do you make it work best for your team or business? Let’s look at the challenges of remote work — and the benefits that make those challenges worthwhile.
What Are the Challenges of Remote Work?
Managing remote teams isn’t always easy. Here are six of the biggest hurdles companies face.
Communication Problems It’s easy for colleagues to miss the message when they’re not in the same room. Body language fills in the gaps, but emails? Their tone is sometimes hard to decipher. Even video calls can fall short. Throw in cultural or language differences, and things get lost fast.
Technology Troubles Getting everyone up and running isn’t always easy — especially when remote work depends so heavily on reliable internet. Even in developed countries, rural areas can struggle with access issues.
Employees must have the right tools: computers, apps, and strong security features. IT can provide most of these remotely. Technical issues? Some problems still require a hands-on fix.
Payroll Challenges Will international employees be paid in their own currency or the company’s? Depending on exchange rates, some employees may not be happy with the arrangement.
Accountability Concerns Some managers struggle to oversee a team they can’t actually see every day. Remote work requires extra training, trust, and touchpoints.
Time Differences A manager in Hong Kong schedules a mandatory “all-hands” Zoom meeting for 3 p.m. For their New York crew, that’s 3 a.m. With 24 time zones, syncing up is no simple feat.
Employee Perceptions and Morale Concerns Some professionals hesitate to work remotely, believing it’ll make them less visible and hurt their chances of moving up. Even if the company’s just down the street, working from home can feel isolating. That disconnect can hurt morale and teamwork
What Are the Benefits of Remote Work?
With record numbers of professionals transitioning to work-from-home positions, it’s clear that remote work isn’t all challenges. It offers real benefits that smart companies are using to their advantage. Here are five benefits of adding remote work as an option for your employees.
Access to More Talent Worldwide Companies no longer need to limit themselves to local candidates. They can look across the country (and the world) to find the skills they’re looking for. Professionals also get a greater range of job opportunities — with no moving required.
Lower Costs Cutting out office space, furniture, and other expenses can shrink overhead for employers. And employees save money by skipping the commute and its costs.
Employee Benefits Remote work has a built-in benefit: flexibility. It gives people more control over their time — and that’s a huge advantage for any company offering it.
More Eco-Friendly Operations Employees working from home means fewer cars on the road. Companies can also save energy (and money) by having employees attend meetings virtually rather than flying them in.
Frequently Asked Questions
Still have questions about remote work? Here are answers to some common questions.
How common is remote work for Americans? About 22% of Americans are working remotely in 2025. Some companies are adding remote or hybrid work as an option or benefit, while others are bringing employees back to the office.
What are the challenges of remote work for companies? Remote work can create challenges with communication, technology, payroll, accountability, and employee morale. Teams struggle without face-to-face interaction, technology issues are harder to fix remotely, and managing payments across countries gets complicated.
What are the benefits of remote work for employers? Many! Employers offering remote positions can choose skilled workers from a global talent pool, save money on office-related costs, enjoy higher productivity, offer flexibility to attract candidates, and operate in an eco-friendlier way.
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