In recent times, an increasing number of firms are choosing to recruit remote staff instead of hiring on-site employees. This decision is mainly driven by the larger candidate pool available and potential cost benefits. However, it is crucial to take into account the particular difficulties linked with overseeing remote workers. Additionally, it is essential for companies to make a well-informed recruitment choice by distinguishing between telecommuters, freelancers, and remote workers.
In the initial stages of a company’s expansion, recruiting a telecommuter, freelancer, or full-time remote worker can have a positive impact on productivity and morale. Since the majority of individuals prefer some form of remote work, it is imperative to consider whom to hire sooner rather than later.
Growmotely’s research established that 74% of professionals expect remote work to become the standard, with 97% of employees desiring not to spend all their time working in an office.
Discover which of these worker categories is best matched for your organization.
Defining a Telecommuter’s job.
A telecommuter is someone who carries out some or all of their work at a distance from a central location, often from their own residence. This might involve working for a specified number of hours each day or week or may entail travelling to a client’s premises, on business trips, or other external locations.
The subject of supervising remote workers has gained momentum lately, partly as a result of the 2023 pandemic. To slow the spread of the virus, governments implemented quarantines, thereby increasing the number of individuals working remotely.
Following the height of the COVID-19 outbreak, companies have been planning their next moves.
The trend of remote and hybrid work models is growing. Workers may choose to split their time between the office and remote sites, working from their houses or other places for a few days every week.
Is Remote Work Worthwhile for Your Business?
The prevalence of remote working or ‘telecommuting’ has surged in recent years, well before the present pandemic. Statistics from the United States of America indicate that such work arrangements have risen by as much as 173% between 2005 and 2023.
Due to the rise of remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic, several workers have appreciated the added freedom this arrangement provides. However, not every organization would benefit from allowing some of their personnel to work remotely.
When contemplating the possibility of telecommuting, it is critical to assess your company’s capacity to manage a remote workforce. Although some occupations, such as those in manufacturing or security fields, might not be appropriate for remote work, poor management can still result in complications in a completely remote environment.
Let’s examine the key advantages and disadvantages of this approach for your team.
The Advantages of Hiring Remote Workers
- Efficient Employees
Remote work can enhance productivity since workers can operate more effectively in an environment of their own selection. This offers the possibility of completing assignments in a shorter time frame.
According to Amerisleep’s survey, 80% of those polled reported reduced stress levels due to telecommuting. This has resulted in increased efficiency. - Enhances Morale and Personnel Retention
The most effective approach to earning your team’s loyalty and retaining them is by attentively listening and expressing concern for them. The current pandemic has brought about significant changes in our working practices. Numerous workers are now reassessing their preferred work-life balance, with a greater emphasis on remote and office-based work.
Owl Labs’ most recent findings indicate that 25% of employees would agree to a 10% salary reduction to maintain their remote work arrangements. - Enhanced Collaboration
Remote work has altered the way teamwork occurs. Merely occupying the same physical area or having countless meetings is no longer adequate. We must make the most of opportunities to exchange ideas.
Using telecommuting, companies can establish workspaces that are customized to specific duties. Many organisations are currently reconfiguring their offices to include more collaborative and communal areas. Even though employees can work from home for extended periods, they can also visit the office to obtain new ideas.
Drawbacks of Remote Employees
One of the Issues is an Increase in Cyber Attacks.
In response to the present epidemic, consulting firm Deloitte has reported a 35% surge in cyberattacks. Companies that manage remote workforces must guarantee that their employees’ computer and mobile devices are appropriately safeguarded.
The introduction of “Bring Your Own Device” (BYOD) regulations by companies last year was one of the reasons for the increase in cyberattacks this year.
Costly Alternatives
There is a common misconception about the actual cost of telecommuting.
Please keep in mind the expenses involved in renting workspaces and purchasing necessary office supplies, as well as the cost of acquiring the required software and hardware to manage your remote team.
It Can Lead to Burnout
While working from home can be an excellent way to boost productivity, it is crucial to be conscious of the possibility of burnout. It may be tough to distinguish between work and personal life when telecommuting, resulting in more work hours compared to working in a physical office. As a result, it is essential to be aware of this and take appropriate steps to avoid burnout.
According to FlexJobs, around 75% of remote employees experience frequent burnout.
The Meaning of Freelancer:
Freelancers are individuals who opt to work independently rather than for a company, making them their own bosses.
They offer freelance services to a wide range of businesses, acting as independent contractors. This allows them to work for multiple companies in various roles simultaneously. Freelancers are responsible for managing their own time and handling all aspects of their work, including invoicing clients and filing business and payroll taxes.
A freelancer’s presence in the workplace may not be constant, depending on their contract terms. Occasionally, freelancers may work remotely and not be required to be physically present in the office.
Estimations suggest that, by 2027, freelancing will be the most popular employment option in America, with 58 million people already having embraced such contracts.
Are Freelancers Advantages to Your Company?
Companies frequently select freelancers as a hiring option due to the minimal administrative tasks required, the absence of the need to provide benefits, and the ability to have flexible payment terms which are often based on an hourly rate.
Once more, it is essential to assess whether independent contractors are a suitable fit for your company.
Freelancers may choose to be compensated on an hourly or project-based rate. Depending on the scope and length of the project, freelancers may be more expensive than regular employees.
Freelancing is a perfect choice for companies that require expert skills for a brief period. But, having full-time, remote employees may be more cost-effective if the same tasks need to be performed for a more extended period.
Now, let’s consider the main advantages and disadvantages of employing freelancers.
Benefits of Freelancing
Financial Benefit One: Avoiding Spending
When you hire a freelancer, you are only paying for the hours they spend on the assigned project. As freelancers are self-employed, you are not accountable for the expenses related to their health care, pension or insurance.
As per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, 70% of an employee’s compensation is allocated to their salary while 30% is allocated to benefits. Employing freelancers may allow companies to save up to 30% on labor expenses as they work as independent contractors.
The Second Benefit is the Ease of Finding and Utilizing Them.
It is evident that engaging independent contractors is now much more convenient than before. Well-known freelancer marketplaces such as Upwork, PeoplePerHour, and Freelancer.com have millions of professionals available for hire. With the increased availability of freelance platforms, clients have greater access to relevant information to make well-informed decisions. It is possible to review a freelancer’s skills and feedback from past clients before finalizing a hiring decision.
Reduced Risk of Financial Loss
For start-up and small business owners, hiring employees can be a risky move. Hiring the wrong person for the job can be expensive. However, using independent contractors may aid in mitigating this risk. It not only saves money on additional benefits such as health insurance and sick leave, but it also means that you need to pay only for the hours they work for you.
Establishing a fixed project fee or hourly rate enables you to plan your budget and assess the financial risk of engaging a freelancer more accurately.
Disadvantages of Freelancing
Lack of Interest
Working with freelancers can bring about some obstacles, such as their lesser level of dedication compared to full-time employees and lack of comprehension regarding the company’s principles and procedures. This implies that freelancers are more interested in completing the project and receiving payment, rather than forming a lasting affiliation with the organization.
There are no guarantees that freelancers will deliver work to a satisfactory standard. It is possible to find a contractor who is dependable and produces excellent quality work. However, it is improbable that they can be as committed and dedicated as a full-time employee.
Issues with Availability
In case you face an issue with your website while creating it which led to its downtime, a full-time employee typically provides instant assistance. However, freelancers may offer assistance when they have time, rather than as soon as it is necessary.
Freelancers are not under any obligation to provide regular updates. They set their own hours and working conditions.
Inconsistency in Work Quality
When hiring for a position within an organization, a thorough process is usually followed. It involves vetting candidates through reference checks, evaluating CVs, and conducting several interviews before making the final decision. However, the process of engaging independent contractors is much simpler and quicker. Nevertheless, it can be a two-edged sword since there is no assurance of the contractor’s performance once they commence work.
Despite reference checks, there is always a possibility that a freelancer won’t meet your expectations.
Meaning of “Remote Work”
Full-time employees who work remotely form a third group of workers that do not receive as much attention as freelancers, despite their potential to bring a significant return on investment to businesses.
The phrase “remote worker” pertains to employees who have the flexibility to work outside the main office.
It is common to use the terms “telecommuter” and “remote worker” interchangeably. However, these terms represent different concepts. Full-time remote workers can perform all their duties without a physical office, whereas telecommuters usually work remotely only on certain occasions.
Are Full-time Remote Workers a Valuable Addition to Your Company?
Employing a full-time remote team can be highly advantageous if your company’s tasks can be fully accomplished online or in the cloud.
Numerous industries, such as manufacturing and security, are generally not suitable for full-time remote work due to different limitations. Nonetheless, there are some exceptions, and most forms of collaboration can be performed remotely.
Moreover, as explained in different sections of the article, remote work seems to be a long-term trend. The ongoing pandemic has urged businesses to become more flexible, with Gartner stating that 74% of businesses have intentions of making particular employees remote permanently.
Now, let us examine the advantages and disadvantages of utilizing remote employees for your business.
Benefits of Employing Remote Workers
Access to a Wider Range of Prospective Employees.
By being capable of conducting remote recruiting, you can tap into a significantly broader pool of potential employees. It removes the constraint of local recruitment, allowing you to identify the talent you need more efficiently.
As reported by IWG, most recruiters (64%) believe that remote recruitment enhances their prospects of discovering high-quality candidates.
Attracting Skilled Specialists to Join Your Company
In recent years, work-from-home privileges have become accessible to a larger population. This has created an excellent opportunity to attract top-notch employees. In the United States, there is a growing trend of individuals leaving their current jobs in favour of a remote working setup.
An analysis conducted by the World Economic Forum revealed that 40% of American workers would contemplate finding new employment if they were mandated to return to the office after the COVID-19 outbreak. Moreover, 10% expressed their intention to quit their current job, regardless of future career opportunities.
Reduced Costs
A study carried out at Stanford University has indicated that businesses that effectively manage remote teams may experience a median profit gain of $2,000 per remote employee. Enabling your workforce to work remotely is a viable method of minimizing overhead costs, such as maintaining a physical office and other associated expenses.
Aside from cost-saving benefits, businesses could potentially gain by shifting their workforce to regions with lower average salaries.
Challenges in Employing Remote Workers
It Can Disrupt Team Collaboration in Various Ways.
When most of the team’s work is performed digitally, it is crucial to organize physical gatherings to establish a robust organizational culture.
Remote team members should frequently collaborate to sustain morale and productivity levels. Isolation can negatively affect the efficiency of a remote team.
It Requires You to Reassess Your Management Strategy.
An office setting allows for greater involvement with your team, making it simple to monitor the progress of each person’s work. As a remote team manager, most of your responsibilities will be accomplished independently, requiring you to have faith in your staff’s ability to be productive.
If keeping a close eye on your employees is your standard process, managing a remote team may seem intimidating. It is necessary to modify your leadership approach to prioritise trust and transparent communication.
Challenges in Conveying Messages Clearly
There may be novel obstacles when it comes to communicating with remote employees. These may involve complications in instructing project tasks to international team members who may not speak English as their first language.
Establishing dependable communication channels as the foundation for your processes and workflow is critical. This may require additional explanation to prevent any misinterpretations.
Choosing the Best Option for Your Business – How to Decide?
The use of interchangeable terms can cause ambiguity in distinguishing between telecommuters, freelancers, and regular employees. After analysing their similarities and disparities, it becomes evident that freelancers are separate from telecommuters and full-time employees as they work for themselves as independent contractors.
Telecommuters blend office-based work with remote work, whereas full-time remote employees do not have to visit a physical office ever.
By carefully comparing the key contrasts and evaluating all available options, you can make an informed choice about which alternative is best suited to your company. To assist you in this matter, we’ve created a table on this page that summarises the main differences between the three types of workers.
Remote workers can be divided into three groups: full-time, part-time, and freelance.
Guidance for Selecting the Right Candidates for Your Organisation
If you have any additional concerns about the financial and administrative consequences of hiring remote personnel, such as freelancers, contractors, or permanent employees, it is advisable that you seek professional guidance.
Works is a remote hiring service that has proficiently aided numerous clients in determining the ideal start and end dates for their job requirements. If you are seeking an adept IT specialist to work remotely, please contact us for further details.
