Remote work is here to stay. Laptops, smartphones, messaging apps, and accessible Wi-Fi from virtually anywhere make it easy and desirable to work remotely. Employees are taking advantage of these perks and want to work from coffee shops, their couch, or while traveling. Because of this shift, it’s important to have remote work policies and procedures in place that set clear expectations. Whether you’re creating a remote or hybrid work from home policy, a strong framework can ensure success for both the employee and the business.

Here are our top tips for creating an effective work from home policy.

Benefits of Having a Policy in Place

Defining rules, procedures, and expectations is essential to keeping teams on track. A clearly communicated work from home policy helps establish expectations for when employees should be logged on, how they will communicate, and how time is tracked. By sharing a consistent set of guidelines, employees will feel prepared, supported, and connected.

Remote work solutions like online training platforms help maintain a culture of learning even when employees are outside the office. Creating a hybrid or remote work from home policy can help set productivity expectations while also providing flexibility that supports work-life balance. The right policy can improve employee morale and retention.

7 Considerations for Designing Your Work from Home Policy

There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. Work from home policy examples should be customized to your organization’s needs. Here are some tips for delivering a culture of compliance and productivity through your policy:

1. Define clear expectations. Consistency across teams is crucial. Questions to guide your policy include:

• What challenges and benefits will your policy introduce?
• When is remote work not allowed? (e.g., hybrid vs remote work situations)
• Do you need a time-tracking system?
• What are standard work hours, and how are they monitored?

2. Decide who is eligible to work from home. Not every job role is suited to remote work. Determine eligibility by team, department, or role. For example, sales teams may thrive remotely, while manufacturing roles may require on-site presence. Tailor your hybrid work from home policy to accommodate both operational needs and employee strengths.
3. Consider reasons someone may need to work from home. Even organizations with an in-office focus should accommodate occasional remote work needs. Include use cases such as medical appointments, caregiving, inclement weather, or commuting challenges in your remote work policies.
4. Know how you’ll stay in touch. Set standards for using tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, email, and phone calls. Define which communication channels are best for quick messages, formal updates, and team discussions. Clarify response time expectations for different platforms.
5. Set expectations for productivity and performance. Studies show that remote workers are often more productive. Your work from home policy template should outline performance metrics—whether task completion, deadlines, or project milestones—and clarify how productivity will be measured.
6. Make sure your team is secure. Remote work introduces cybersecurity risks. Your policy should include rules about approved devices, VPN access, antivirus software, secure passwords, and locking screens. Detail tech support procedures and outline how remote issues will be handled. These are crucial elements in creating a safe workplace environment.
7. Clarify cost responsibilities. Determine if you will reimburse employees for internet, phone, or office equipment. At a minimum, software required for remote work should be covered. State these requirements clearly in your policy to avoid confusion and support seamless onboarding.

The Future of Remote Work

As companies navigate hybrid vs remote work structures, it’s essential to update policies to reflect new realities. A comprehensive hybrid work from home policy helps organizations remain competitive, flexible, and supportive. Whether you’re starting with a work from home policy template or building from scratch, regular reviews and adjustments based on employee feedback and evolving needs are vital.

For organizations looking to scale remote learning, BizLibrary offers remote work solutions that integrate seamlessly with learning initiatives—ensuring employee growth continues regardless of location.

Learn more about how to deliver training in a remote-first environment and support your team’s development in the future of remote work.