Fully Remote: What 100% Remote Really Means
A work arrangement where the employee works entirely from a location of their choosing, with no requirement to visit a physical office, even occasionally.
Fully remote means you work 100% from home or another location of your choice, with zero office visits required—not even for occasional meetings, onboarding, or team events. Unlike hybrid arrangements that require periodic office attendance, fully remote positions give you complete location flexibility without any in-person obligations.
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A fully remote work arrangement allows employees to perform all job duties from any location they choose, with no expectation or requirement to visit a company office at any time. This differs from hybrid models where employees split time between home and office, or remote-friendly arrangements that may require occasional in-person attendance.
- No office requirement: You’ll never be asked to come into an office, even for special events, team meetings, or onboarding
- Location flexibility: You can work from home, a coworking space, coffee shops, or while traveling, as long as you meet job requirements
- Async-first communication: Fully remote teams typically rely heavily on written communication and asynchronous collaboration tools
- Time zone considerations: Some fully remote roles are location-flexible, while others may require working specific hours or overlapping with certain time zones
- Equipment and setup: Employers usually provide necessary equipment or stipends, since there’s no office workspace to use as a backup
Fully Remote Position vs Fully Remote Company
There’s an important distinction between working in a fully remote position at a company with offices, versus working at a fully remote company with no physical offices at all.
Fully Remote Position at a Hybrid Company:
- You work remotely while colleagues may be in offices
- Risk of becoming a “second-class” employee if company culture favors in-office workers
- May miss informal networking, hallway conversations, and visibility with leadership
- Career advancement could be impacted if promotions favor office presence
- Company events and all-hands meetings might still expect in-person attendance
Fully Remote Company (All-Remote):
- Everyone works remotely, creating a level playing field
- Systems and culture designed for distributed work from day one
- Documentation and async communication are core to operations
- Often provides annual team retreats or regional meetups (usually optional)
- Career growth opportunities are equal regardless of location
When evaluating a fully remote opportunity, understanding which type of organization you’re joining is critical for long-term satisfaction and career development.
Questions to Verify Fully Remote
Not all “fully remote” roles are created equal. Ask these questions during interviews to understand what fully remote really means at that company:
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“Is this position 100% remote with no office visits required, or are there occasional in-person requirements?”
- Clarifies if there are hidden expectations for quarterly meetings, annual summits, or team offsites
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“Is the entire company fully remote, or are there also office-based employees?”
- Reveals if you’ll be an outlier or part of a fully distributed team
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“What time zone(s) do I need to be available during, and is there flexibility in my work hours?”
- Distinguishes between true flexibility and remote work with rigid schedule requirements
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“How does the company handle onboarding and training for fully remote employees?”
- Good answer: structured async onboarding docs, recorded training, dedicated buddy system
- Red flag: “We usually do that in person” or vague responses
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“Are there any in-person company events, and are they required or optional?”
- Some companies have annual retreats that are technically optional but culturally expected
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“How does the company ensure remote workers have equal access to career development and promotions?”
- Tests whether remote workers are treated equally or face invisible barriers
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“What tools and systems does the team use for collaboration and communication?”
- Strong remote companies have established async-first workflows, not ad-hoc solutions
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I work from anywhere in the world if a job is fully remote?
Not always. While "fully remote" means no office requirement, many companies still restrict where you can work due to tax laws, employment regulations, time zone needs, or data privacy requirements. Some roles are "remote within the US" or "remote within specific states," while others allow international work. Always verify geographic restrictions during the interview process.
What's the difference between fully remote and remote-first?
**Fully remote** describes the work arrangement (you never go to an office), while **remote-first** describes the company's culture and operational approach. A remote-first company designs all processes, communication, and culture for distributed teams, even if they have optional office spaces. You can work a fully remote position at a company that isn't remote-first, but this often creates challenges since the culture may favor in-office workers.
Do fully remote jobs pay less than office-based roles?
It varies by company. Some employers pay the same regardless of location, while others adjust salaries based on your local cost of living. Fully remote companies that hire globally often use location-based pay bands, meaning someone in San Francisco might earn more than someone in a lower-cost area for the same role. Other companies use a single salary range nationwide. Ask about compensation philosophy during negotiations.
Are fully remote positions harder to get hired for?
Fully remote positions often attract more applicants since they're open to candidates anywhere (within allowed regions), making competition stiffer. However, they also expand your job opportunities since you're not limited to your local area. Success depends on having strong self-management skills, excellent written communication, and proven ability to work independently—qualities remote employers specifically screen for.