Before the pandemic, several companies, regardless of their size, did not entertain the idea of hiring remote staff. They believed that the conventional on-site model was the sole key to success, and were disinclined to consider remote work. It’s unfortunate that it took a global health crisis for people to realise that telecommuting is a viable and uncomplicated alternative.
With the rollout of vaccination programs across the United States, workers are gradually returning to their physical workplaces. However, instead of returning to pre-pandemic practices, many organizations are adopting a hybrid approach that involves a mix of remote and on-site work. Businesses are now recognising the advantages of remote work, such as enhanced productivity and flexibility, despite the difficulties that come with it. A significant benefit of recruiting globally is that it allows access to a wider pool of highly skilled candidates.
The quantity of remote job openings on Indeed has doubled since the pandemic began. In January 2023, only 2.9% of job postings were for remote jobs, however, this number rose to 6.9% by February 2023.
Although remote work options are growing, not all enterprises are ready to provide support for telecommuters. Smaller businesses may be reluctant to consider candidates who are not within their immediate vicinity, as it entails a considerable amount of risk.
With over a decade of experience as an international IT outstaffing firm, Works has been offering businesses of all sizes access to the most proficient remote IT professionals across the globe. Our accomplishments in this domain speak volumes, and we are confident that our results make us the ideal choice as your IT staffing partner.
This article will delve into the diverse advantages of collaborating with remote developers from different countries, and why it has become crucial for small enterprises to take advantage of this prospect.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hiring Remote Workers Globally
Let us begin by sharing a brief anecdote before exploring the pros and cons of hiring remote workers for startups.
In the past, Sharon Koifman faced challenges in hiring and retaining dependable IT staff due to the associated expenses and difficulties. While outsourcing offered a more cost-effective solution, it involved bringing in personnel who were unfamiliar with the work environment.
He reflected on the reasons why it was such a challenge to find talented professionals from distant locations. Then, a notion struck him: to establish a virtual staffing company that went beyond just outsourcing work, but rather aided businesses in finding and hiring full-time remote employees.
Having the best personnel on board is crucial for businesses, regardless of their size. Fortunately, with remote hiring, this is now feasible for organizations of all scales, and not just those with abundant resources. This is the founding history of Works.
Our aim is to equip small businesses with a thorough understanding of the worldwide recruitment landscape. Therefore, let us examine the benefits and drawbacks of remote hiring.
The advantages of employing remote workers for small businesses comprise:
Think about the Possibilities!
Imagine your preferred cookie flavor, whether it’s red velvet or double chocolate. Think of all the shops where you can purchase this delight. Depending on your location, you might be able to find them within walking distance or you may have to drive for approximately 15 minutes. Now, envision a world where there is an infinite supply of delectable red velvet/double chocolate cookies with chocolate from various countries like France, Belgium, Brazil, the Netherlands and more. All of these mouth-watering flavors are exclusively for you.
Enabling staff to work from home enables the expansion of the pool of potential candidates. You can not only discover outstanding workers in your vicinity, but you can also extend your search to a much wider region. This enhances the likelihood of discovering an individual who satisfies the demands of the position.
You Reap Cost Savings Benefits
How many small businesses are seeking to reduce expenses?
Based on estimates from Global Workplace Analytics, companies have the possibility to save an average of $11,000 per worker every year by enabling them to work remotely for at least some of their time. Additionally, individual employees could realise a benefit ranging from $2,000 to $7,000 annually.
There are numerous benefits for small businesses when it comes to remote hiring, including savings on workplace, technology, office supplies, and refreshments. It is also worth contemplating the everyday expenses regarding recruitment. For instance, the cost of hiring a software engineer in the USA can vary significantly depending on the location, with San Francisco being twice as costly as in Eastern Europe.
Global trend towards remote employment
With the increase of remote employment worldwide, the year 2023 has been labelled the ‘Year of Remote Work’. As the world slowly returns to pre-pandemic conditions, businesses have become more interested in integrating flexible working arrangements into their plans for the foreseeable future.
According to Upwork, 26.7% of Americans will keep working remotely this year, with the number of remote employees anticipated to increase to 36.2% of the workforce by 2025.
One of the Most Efficient Means of Hiring
The advent of remote employment has changed the priorities of many workers. Previously, to lure suitable candidates, employers primarily offered a competitive salary, a pleasant work environment, and perks such as a gym and free food.
A recent study undertaken by FlexJobs has shown that remote work is the ultimate job enticement for numerous employees. It appears that the individuals surveyed are willing to embrace a salary reduction of 10-20% to sustain their adaptable working arrangements.
Diligent and Committed Workers
A productive and committed workforce is vital to any company’s success. One of the best methods to promote this is by facilitating remote work for employees.
Enabling remote work gives workers the chance to select their preferred work environment, whether it be from home, a coworking space, a cafe, or a restaurant. This flexibility enables employees to work in a manner that suits them best, rather than being confined to a rigid 9-to-5 cubicle setting.
A survey conducted by ConnectSolutions found that nearly 30% of office workers reported an increase in productivity when not confined to a cubicle. Furthermore, 77% of telecommuters reported a boost in overall productivity. Gallup also demonstrated that employees who work remotely between 60% and 80% of the time are more likely to be engaged, which further supports the notion that they are more effective outside the workplace.
Disadvantages of Utilizing Remote Workers in Small Businesses
Challenges with Communication
Efficient communication is crucial for remote workers to thrive in their roles. Although there are numerous excellent tools available, such as Zoom, Slack, Gmail, and Skype, it is the onus of the leader to guarantee that everyone comprehends the expectations of their job. Without this, incorporating remote employees can become a disaster for the company.
When hiring remote workers from disparate time zones, it is crucial to factor in the time difference when scheduling meetings. Each company has unique processes, meaning it is worthwhile to research the most effective collaboration tools for your team. While Zoom and Slack are both popular options, other solutions may better cater to your needs. Implementing the right tools can enhance team productivity.
Some Individuals lack the Resources for Remote Access
It is reasonable to presume that in the wake of a global pandemic and the rising prevalence of remote work, employees are aptly prepared. However, the situation is not as uncomplicated as it may seem. Remote workers necessitate specific skill sets, such as the capacity to function independently, efficiently manage their time, and meet deadlines. Of course, those in a traditional office setting also require these competencies, though they may face greater supervision from overseeing managers.
When striving to fill remote job positions, it is crucial to meticulously evaluate which candidates are fitting for the role. For small businesses, in particular, it is imperative to adopt additional measures throughout the recruitment process to identify applicants who are motivated by more than the allure of working remotely and in casual attire.
Invest in Suitable Hardware/Software
Incorporating remote workers could potentially save you thousands of dollars, yet it is crucial to factor in any extra expenses. For instance, if you hire an exceptionally qualified writer, but their laptop is malfunctioning, it might be worthwhile to purchase new equipment, such as a laptop, an additional monitor, and other home office necessities. This could substantially heighten their work productivity.
It is crucial to acknowledge that there are diverse expenses linked to utilizing software and resources for remote teams. These might comprise project management, video conferencing, and human resource management tools. Although there is a cost to contemplate, it is indispensable to take this into consideration when evaluating the triumph of a startup.
Continuously Strive to Enhance Your Company Culture
It is apparent that effective communication is indispensable for prosperous remote work. However, communication also holds a pivotal role in the establishment of a new culture. It is imperative to note that while ‘culture’ may carry a variety of connotations, there exists an underlying commonality – employees seek to work for companies that prioritize their principles. Hence, it is a mutually shared aspiration to be associated with an organization that not only regards its staff as part of a family but also acknowledges their hard work.
At Works, we recognize the significance of fostering a feeling of camaraderie and culture in an in-person setting. To achieve this, we take proactive measures and utilise our creativity to cultivate relationships. For instance, we organize virtual Halloween celebrations, featuring the Macarena dance and birthday festivities. During these events, we gather via Zoom to engage in games or watch videos together.
Decline to Engage in Micro-management
Managers must account for the consequences of managing a remote workforce when recruiting new employees. Whereas the physical proximity of staff enables direct supervision, remote staff necessitate an alternative approach to guarantee their productivity. This poses a substantial difficulty when overseeing a distributed team.
A thriving manager is adept at managing both an on-site team and a distributed team with equal dexterity. To accomplish this, it is vital to have faith in the staff and their proficiencies. While employing remote workers can be advantageous, it may not be the optimal preference if the need for constant supervision is a top priority.
The Future of Domestic Companies in a World of Distributed Employment
Each choice can appear critical when directing a small enterprise. This is particularly relevant when factoring in the significant amount of time, energy, and assets allocated to the hiring process. As the nature of labour transforms, recruiting virtual staff could be a prudent plan to promote expansion and ensure prosperity in the future.
It is projected that by the conclusion of this year, 25-30% of all professions will have embraced remote work. This is liable to have a substantial influence on hiring in the future, as 80% of employees have conveyed their intention to persist with remote work options even after the pandemic is controlled. Consequently, numerous companies are presently strategizing to maintain their utilization of virtual staff.
The market is starting to display indications of global recruitment patterns. For instance, contemplate the subsequent:
Diversity in Employees’ Values
As a consequence of the pandemic, remote work has gained popularity, and numerous experts are keen to relocate from major metropolises in search of a less frenzied lifestyle. In line with a Reuters survey, approximately 23 million Americans may relocate as a result of telecommuting. Hence, it is imperative for recruiters to comprehend the wants of potential hires and offer requisite incentives, such as gym access, if they express interest in them.
Organisations that Allow Employees to Work Remotely
Due to the existing pandemic, several organisations have commenced proffering provisional remote work prospects as they deal with the uncertainty of the post-COVID-19 setting. However, many employees are averse to this form of temporary agreement and would instead prefer a full-time remote job or a blended model that would permit them to work part of their time at the office and the remainder from home.
Employers are increasingly favouring positions that can be executed remotely. The quantity of applicants for the position will hinge on whether it is appropriate for full-time or part-time remote work.
Virtual Onboarding for New Employees
Virtual onboarding and remote recruitment are interconnected. Onboarding staff who work remotely is still an innovative procedure for many enterprises.
It is vital to sufficiently equip new recruits during the onboarding process to ensure their potential success in their designated role. This can be accomplished by immersing them in the organisation and assisting them in familiarizing themselves with its practices and operations. To guarantee the triumph of virtual onboarding, enterprises ought to develop pertinent protocols, such as acquainting the new hire with their team, imparting guidance on the usage of tools and acquainting them with the virtual workspace.
Intend to Join Other Enterprises that Recognize the Merits of Remote Work? Labor Can Provide Assistance!
Remote recruitment has both its benefits and drawbacks; however, depending on your enterprise’s prerequisites, some may be more pertinent than others. At Works, we are the foremost remote hiring agency and are at your disposal to help you construct a robust team of remote staff. Our IT recruiters are accessible all hours of the day, working across various time zones to grant you access to the finest online developers. Contact us today to explore how we can assist you in propelling your team to new heights.
