Corporate Digital Nomad Policy: Best practices and guidelines
Digital nomads are a mobile and skilled workforce. As more professionals embrace a location-independent, technology-enabled lifestyle, companies that fail to adapt risk missing out on the opportunity to engage these highly skilled workers.
Digital Nomads are here to stay
The MBO Partners 2024 State of Independence research study found that 18.1 million American workers currently describe themselves as digital nomads, increasing almost 5% from 2023. In 2024, the number of independent workers who consider themselves digital nomads increased 20%.
Our 2024 Digital Nomads report took a deep dive into this population of workers and found that 79% are highly satisfied with their work and lifestyle. In fact, 81% say they are optimistic about the future of their career. Digital nomads are well-educated and work in a wide variety of fields, with the main professions including information technology, creative services, and education and training.
In 2024, 14% of digital nomads with traditional jobs reported that their employer does not know they are nomadic. An additional 22% say their company does not have a digital nomad policy, but their boss has given them permission to work nomadically. Employees who do not inform their employer could break local employment regulations without their employer being aware that they are doing so.
What is a Digital Nomad?
Digital nomads defy a single definition, yet all choose to combine working remotely and traveling for various reasons and lengths of time. Some digital nomads travel for years, regularly moving across countries and continents. Others are nomadic for shorter periods, taking "workcations" and working sabbaticals lasting from several weeks to many months. Some travel the globe, but many never cross a border, choosing to live and work while exploring a single area or country.
United by a passion for travel and new adventures, digital nomads enjoy the ability to work anywhere they can connect to the Internet.
Organizations interested in engaging Digital Nomads to leverage their unique skills and contributions should do so while being aware of and managing any potential risks that could arise.
How enterprises can engage these workers
As companies encounter more and more valued employees and independent professionals who want to take advantage of the digital nomad lifestyle, it is imperative that they have policies in place that ensure they are protected and compliant.
Use our policy outline to create your own corporate digital nomad policy, using our best practices and tips.