10 Things Your Remote Job Can and Cannot Legally Ask You to Do

I have been working online for over six years. In that time, I have coached dozens of business owners and freelancers. But recently, I have started getting a different kind of question.

It’s not about SEO or marketing anymore.

It’s about boundaries.

I see it in my DMs and emails all the time. Someone gets a “dream” remote job. They are excited to work in pajamas and skip the commute. But a few months in, things start to feel weird. The boss calls at 9 PM. They are asked to install software on a personal computer. They worry that saying “no” might cost them the job.

So, let’s clear the air.

If you work remotely, your rights are real. They are not just suggestions. Knowing the difference between a normal request and an illegal one is how you protect your paycheck and your peace of mind.

Here are 10 things your remote job can and cannot legally ask you to do.

What They CAN Ask You To Do

Let’s start with the things that are usually fair game. These are the standards of remote work in 2024.

1. Track your working hours

If you are an hourly employee, your boss needs to know you worked. They can ask you to use time-tracking software. They can ask you to log in and out of a system. This is simply how they calculate your pay. If you are salaried, they might still ask for a “summary” of your week to manage projects.

2. Be available during core hours

A common myth is that remote work means you set your own schedule completely. That is not always true. A company can legally set “core hours.” For example, they might say, “We need everyone online and available from 10 AM to 2 PM EST for meetings.” This is legal as long as it is applied fairly to everyone.

3. Use company equipment in a specific way

If they ship you a laptop, that laptop is theirs. They can legally ask you to use it only for work. They can block you from installing personal games or visiting certain websites on it. Company property is for company business.

4. Attend video meetings with your camera on

This one gets debated a lot. Generally, an employer can require you to be on camera for meetings. It is seen as part of professional communication.

However, there is a gray area if you have a documented reason why you cannot, like a medical condition or a chaotic home situation. In those cases, you can request an accommodation.

5. Reimburse you for work expenses

Actually, this is not just something they can do. In many places, they must do it. If your remote job requires you to make business phone calls on your personal cell phone, or if they require high-speed internet that costs extra, they may be legally required to reimburse you. Check your local labor laws on this one.

What They CANNOT Ask You To Do

Now we get to the important part. This is where a lot of remote workers get taken advantage of. Just because you work from home does not mean your rights disappear.

6. Ask you to work “off the clock”

This is a major red flag. If you are hourly, you must be paid for every minute you work. Your boss cannot ask you to answer emails during your lunch break without paying you. They cannot ask you to log in early to “set up” without punching in. If they email you at 6 PM and expect a reply, you should be paid for that time.

7. Force you to use your personal phone or internet without paying

As mentioned above, they can ask if you are willing to use your personal phone. But if the job requires it, they usually need to cover the cost. If they demand you have a specific internet speed for video calls, they should be contributing to that bill. If they aren’t, it might be time to ask why.

8. Monitor you through hidden or invasive software

Employee monitoring is legal in many places. But there is a line. They cannot install software on your personal computer if you use one for work. They also cannot monitor you in ways that invade your privacy.

For example, if they send you a company laptop, they might track your keystrokes. But if they secretly turn on your webcam to watch you in your home, that is a huge violation of privacy and likely illegal.

9. Discriminate against you

Remote work does not change anti-discrimination laws. A company cannot refuse to promote you because you live in a different state or because of your age, race, or gender.

They also cannot treat you differently than the office staff. If the office workers get bonuses or raises, remote workers should be eligible for the same.

10. Ask you to move without relocation costs

Some companies love remote workers until they realize the tax implications. They might call you and say, “We need you to move to Texas, or we have to let you go.”

Unless you signed a contract agreeing to relocation, they generally cannot force you to move your life for a job. They can ask, of course. But you have the right to say no. If they fire you for refusing, you might have a case for wrongful termination.

Frequently Asked Questions

My boss keeps messaging me on WhatsApp at night. What do I do?

This is a boundary issue. First, check your contract. Does it list specific working hours? If so, simply stop replying until the next workday. If you reply, you train them that it is okay.

If it continues, send a polite email stating your working hours and that you will respond to messages received outside of those hours when you log back on.

Can they fire me if I don’t install an app on my personal phone?

Usually, no. If the app is for work (like an authenticator app for logins), they should provide you with a company device or find a workaround. You have a right to keep your personal device personal. If they fire you for refusing to use your own phone, consult an employment attorney.

My company says I have to come into the office once a month. Is that legal?

Yes. If you are an employee (not a contractor), they can change the conditions of your work. They can switch you from fully remote to hybrid. If you refuse, they might consider it a resignation. Always read your contract. Some contracts specify “fully remote” with no office requirement.

The Bottom Line

Remote work is still work. And work is a transaction. You trade your time and skill for money. You do not trade your privacy, your personal life, or your rights.

The best time to set boundaries is the day you are hired. The second-best time is today. Read your employee handbook. Look at your contract. If something feels wrong, trust that feeling. A good employer will respect your limits. A bad one will test them.

Now I am curious.

Have you ever been asked to do something in a remote job that felt like a step too far? How did you handle it?