What Does the Online Acronym ‘WFH’ Mean?

WFH is one of those rare online acronyms that can be hard to interpret just by looking at it.

WFH stands for: Working From Home

This acronym can also be interpreted simply as "Work From Home" without the "-ing" at the end of "Work," depending on how it's used in a conversation.

WFH means an employee is carrying out their professional duties and responsibilities from their place of residence rather than from their office or other workplace premises. Technology has made it possible for more people to work remotely from practically any location that has internet access, giving rise to the term "work from home" as a standard job type description.

People typically use WFH to let others know they're currently not at their workplace and are instead working out of their home. The acronym helps quickly communicate a person's whereabouts during times of the day or week when they're expected to be at work.

Others might use it to describe their occasional or permanent workplace setting. People who work independently and rely mostly on computer, internet, and phone access tend to be able to enjoy the convenience of working from home on a regular or permanent basis, whether they're employed by a company or work for themselves.

Example 1

Friend #1: "Hey, didn't see you on break today. Where you at?"

Friend #2: "WFH"

Here's a basic example of how WFH can be used as a standalone phrase. Friend #1 asks where Friend #2 is and Friend #2 answers with WFH.

Example 2

Friend #1: "Wanna grab lunch at 1 pm?"

Friend #2: "Can't, I'm sick and WFH today"

This second example shows how WFH can be used as part of a sentence. Friend #2 offers Friend #1 more information as to why they're working from home by revealing they're sick.

Example 3

Friend #1: "How did your job interview go?"

Friend #2: "Quite well actually. It's a WFH position."

This last example demonstrates how WFH can be interpreted as "Work From Home" rather than "Working From Home." Friend #2 uses it to describe a type of position they're trying to get.

WFB is a variation of WFH, which has two possible meanings. One is "Working From Boat" and the other is "Working From Bed."

Working From Boat might be used more as a joke, implying that a person is actually doing work even though they're really just playing hooky so they can fish, sail, or do some other boat-related activity. Working From Bed is appropriate to use by a person who's recovering from illness or injury, but has to continue working remotely.

Like WFH, WFB is not an extremely popular acronym so it might be difficult to tell which interpretation is being used. If you know that the individual is healthy and well, they might be using WFB to explain they've skipped work to get out on the lake or river (Working From Boat). However, if you suspect they're unwell, they might be using WFB to explain they're physically unable to move very much (Working From Bed).