Business does not operate the same way that it was because of remote working!
What was initially a temporary adaptation during the pandemic, has turned into a new norm for many employers and workers.
Today, about 25% employees work remotely – a huge increase from just a few years ago. And about two-thirds of companies now provide opportunities to work remotely. So does it make sense for your business?
So let’s take a review of the ups and downs of hiring remote workers so you can make the decision on whether this model suits your goals.
The Advantages of Hiring a Remote Workforce
Global Availability of Talent
When you open up your hiring process to remote candidates, geography ceases to be a factor.
You’re not limited to the people who live within a reasonable commute to your office. You can hire the best people in the world, not the best people within a 50-mile radius. That means greater skills, a broader and more diverse perspective, and access to experts who might otherwise be out of reach.
For instance, if you’re looking for a software developer with deep experience in an obscure programming language, it’s going to be a lot easier to find that person when they don’t necessarily need to be within commuting distance of your headquarters.
This larger pool of candidates enables you to create a more skillful, adept team.
Increased Productivity
A fair number of remote workers say they are more productive than they were in a traditional office environment.
They don’t have daily commutes, or office distractions to contend with, which often means they are able to concentrate more easily, and accomplish more work. A Harvard Business Review study backs this up: remote workers are generally more productive, take fewer sick days and stay with their jobs longer.
That means your business gets better performance and lower turnover costs.
Cost Savings for Employers
Expenses Reduced Remote working can dramatically cut down on overhead costs.
You’ll need less office space, reducing rent and utilities costs as well as maintenance, service and supplies expenses. You can also realize huge savings on office supplies, equipment, and other overhead.
You can also hire from cheaper markets, enabling you to pay competitive salaries while staying reasonable on labor costs.
Those costs can add up, and do so fast when you’re a fast-growing business trying to grow and scale as efficiently as possible.
Better Work-Life Balance for Workers
Remote work provides workers greater autonomy in how and when to use their time.
Personal responsibilities such as childcare, fitness routines, or hobbies outside of work can be better catered for. This balance helps employees avoid burnout and stress, which makes employees happier and more engaged.
Feeling like your team has support when trying to balance work and life is what will keep them feeling loyal to your business.
Benefits for the Environment
Less commuting equals fewer cars … and that’s good for the environment.
Your business helps to reduce carbon emissions and lessens environmental pressure by enabling remote work. It is a small but worthwhile move toward being more sustainable.
If corporate social responsibility is something you stand for, providing the flexibility to work remotely is congruent with pro-environment values.
The Downside to Hiring Remote Workers
Communication Challenges
Communication is one of the major barriers to remote work.
People are more likely to misinterpret one another when they’re not in each other’s physical presence. And some of the conversations that would take a few seconds in person might stretch out into lengthy email threads or a delayed response, and that takes a toll, too.
Time zone disparities and dependence on digital tools like Slack or Zoom can add to the difficulties of working together.
To make remote teams successful you need to invest in robust communication practices and effective tools – and you need to be prepared to spend time managing those processes.
Monitoring Performance Can Be Difficult
In a physical office, managers can watch people work and give instant feedback.
Online, it’s harder to tell if someone is staying engaged or getting lost. Productivity may suffer due to lack of self-discipline on the part of some employees.
To mitigate this, you’ll need clear expectations, routine check-ins and project management systems that assist with visibility. It is possible, but it requires effort and structure.
Feelings of Isolation
Apparently isolation is not for everyone.
There are some employees who miss the social interaction of the office setting. With no small talk, or banter with teammates during breaks, they may feel alienated or lonesome.
This can sap morale and motivation in time.
To combat this, think about virtual team-building exercises, set video calls and informal chats. These initiatives help to keep remote employees feeling connected.
Security Risks
Remote work poses new cybersecurity threats.
Workers who are remotely logging onto company data from their home networks or public Wi-Fi can put sensitive data at risk. Hackers prey on security weaknesses, and a single unsecured device or connection may be an opening for them.
To safeguard your business, set up strong security protocols such as encrypted communications, multi-factor authentication, and employee training on safe internet use. Hey, that sort of thing helps, but it takes time and investment.
Legal and Compliances Nuances
Hiring remote employees from other states or countries creates legal puzzles.
Labor laws, tax regulations, and employment standards vary widely depending on location. Everything is more difficult when you have a team that works across many geographical boundaries. Payroll, benefits, and compliance included.
In addition, not following the laws of a certain locality can result in fines or a court battle.
To prevent difficulties, seek advice from legal advisors, or consider working with an Employer of Record (EOR) that deals with compliance and keeps your business on the right side of the law.
Should You Be Considering Hiring Remote Workers?
The choice is based on what you are trying to achieve with the business and what you have in mind for the future.
Remote work offers genuine benefits – access to a global labor pool, cost savings, and greater productivity – but it also has its trade-offs. Communication, monitoring, legal and oversight matters also need careful attention and planning.
If you’re ready to invest in:
- Strong communication tools
- Performance tracking systems
- Cybersecurity measures
- Legal compliance support
Then having remote staff could be a smart business decision for you.
But if you don’t have the capacity and infrastructure to handle these well, then hiring remotely may cause more problems than it solves.
Final Thoughts
Remote work is not a one-size-fits-all solution, but it is a mighty strategy for many businesses.
It unlocks access to the best talent, increases employee satisfaction and enables the company to grow sustainably. But it also requires careful planning, constant oversight and a willingness to deal with the inevitable setbacks.
Before making the leap, ask yourself:
- Do I have the tools and systems in place to manage remote teams effectively?
- Am I prepared to handle legal and compliance issues that come with remote hiring?
- Can I invest in cybersecurity and employee engagement to ensure success?
If the answer is yes, then remote work might be possible to your company.
If you can, try it out, but if not, you might want to start small – maybe by hiring one or two remote employees and growing your capabilities from there.
