Wandering Worker Practice
In our post-pandemic world, more folks are working remotely and have the ability to work from anywhere with an internet connection. We want to support folks who are interested in exploring the world, but there are still legal, tax, insurance & security considerations that need to be covered.
We’ve gathered some advice from various subject matter experts, and have come up with some guidelines that hopefully will help folks who want to wander and work. So here it goes!
The purpose of this practice is to provide proposed guidance on who you should connect with and what advice you need to gather to make your quest a success!
- You have the freedom to work anywhere in the world that you want. You have the responsibility to consider these things in a Work Adjustment Advice Process (WAAP).
- Travel outside of your default location is a personal choice, therefore the onus is on the ‘Wandering Worker’ to ensure it is done safely and legally.
- Your default location would be based on the address in your employment agreement.
- If you’re moving to a country outside of your default location, regardless the length of time, you’ll need to consult an immigration lawyer.
- You must be in your country of residence at least 185 days within a rolling calendar year.
- Please do not schedule travel until your WAAP is completed and has been consented to.
THE BIGGEST THING: TRANSPARENCY
If you’re outside the country for more than 2 weeks or outside the province/state for more than 4 weeks (and plan to work) then this practice is for you!
If you’re not leaving your province, state or country, but want to work somewhere different than home, like a cafe or an Airbnb, it’s important to ensure you’re working on a secure network, reach out to IT for advice.
When you’re looking to wander and work, the list outlined below includes the additional things you’ll need to research prior to posting your WAAP. Once you’ve collected all of the necessary research include it in your WAAP proposal. The intention to remove the burden from our internal back office teams:
- How many days have you been outside your home country in the last 365 days?
- Impact on default location Medical Health Benefits (Canada, US etc)
- Travel insurance (with our group health benefits)
- State or provincial worker’s compensation
- Tax implications (i.e. CRA or IRS)
- The country of your destination – what are their requirements for working there? Visa?
- IT – discuss with our IT teams your working situation and country of destination, include IT team in WAAP
- Payroll & Benefits – Ask a member of the finance team to advise on your WAAP
- Compliance – Ask a member of the Compliance team to advise on your WAAP
- All costs incurred would be the employee’s responsibility (i.e. internet, phone etc, travel or work visa’s etc)
- All research & investigation is the responsibility of the ‘Wandering Worker’ (if not done correctly it can affect our business i.e., visa programs or eligibility)
- Include how long you’re planning to be away from your default workplace
Include advice from an immigration lawyer if you’re moving to a country outside your default location
- This list is in addition to any standard WAAP questions or considerations
*If you are not a citizen or resident of the country you live and work out of (your default location) this practice may not apply to you, you should consult an immigration lawyer’s advice first and share this in your advice process.