Teleworking is one form of remote work. Remote work is work that is performed away from the principal office or work site, one or more days per week. Information and communications technologies, such as telephones, personal computers, and fax machines, are used to stay connected to the workplace and to communicate with co-workers.

Telecommuting is a related term that is sometimes used. Jack Nilles, a researcher at the University of Southern California, coined the word telecommuting during the oil crisis of the early 1970s. He believed that information technology (IT) could substitute for physical travel to and from work by car, thus conserving fuel.

The term telework is used more frequently in Europe, and telecommuting is used more frequently in the United States. Because ‘tele’ means distance, ...