Do you just work in your pajamas all day? Don’t you miss being around people?

These are just a few of the questions that you will answer when you tell a typical 9-5er that you work remotely.

There are a number of, frankly, absurd myths out there about people working remotely. As we all know, it’s hard to change people’s perceptions with just words. It takes action!

So, let remote workers across our glorious world unite to do what we can to banish these myths forever.

1. They’re Always On Vacation

Please. We don’t know where to start with this one.

Maybe it’s because 9-5 workers are imagining how they may operate if they worked from home or remotely. Maybe they picture themselves on the couch napping, or on a beach with their laptop tucked away.

This is clearly not the case. If it were, we would go from remote employee to unemployed rather quickly.

Yes, we may take the opportunity to work in some beautiful settings. But this is no vacation.

2. They’re Not as Productive

This goes hand-in-hand with the last one.

The numbers actually point in the other direction, with a study by the Harvard Business Review saying employees who work from home get more done in the day. A more recent Stanford study found the same thing.

This perception may come from old-school notions that you need to watch employees or they will slack off. But it is clearly not the case.

3. They’re Difficult to Communicate With

Will you experience a long response time if you email a remote worker? Maybe, but you’re just as likely to have the same issue with someone down the hall.

This may, again, be a relic notion because of the older guard not really embracing today’s technology.

We can all use Skype, Slack, iMessage or Google hangouts for free to make video calls, share files, or send quick IMs. If you’re having trouble getting a hold of a remote worker, it’s because there is a problem with the person; not the concept. Again, you could easily have communication issues with the person in the cubical across from you.

4. They’re Not Part of the Company Culture

This one is a tad more forgivable, as company culture is a less tangible and more abstract thought.

It can be easy to assume that if someone isn’t physically sitting in the building, they’re not part of the culture.

While it’s true they may not get to partake in birthday lunches and other team events, they are still very connected to the company. In fact, you’re more likely to see higher employee engagement scores in remote workers, and these employees may be more committed to your brand and your mission than traditional employees.

5. They Work in Their Pajamas

Ok. To be fair a lot of people do.

However, many remote employees are working in public places, so showing up in a bathrobe is probably not going to go over well at a coffee shop or shared workspace.

Also, many remote workers still feel getting dressed and showering wakes them up in the morning and puts them in the right headspace. It can be hard to wake up fully if you’re still in pajamas.

These are but a few myths that we need to destroy. Go forth, remote workers. Keep being amazing and show the world that you’re likely more productive than traditional workers!