Hiring remote employees allows employers to pick from a wider and more diverse pool of talent to do the job. Throughout the hiring, training, and employment process, companies reduce costs for office space and train, manage, and communicate with new hires via online meeting software.
The rise of remote work has dramatically changed the employment landscape, with more companies than ever before embracing the benefits of hiring remote employees. Remote work allows companies to tap into a global talent pool, reduce overhead costs, and provide more flexible work arrangements for employees.
However, hiring remote employees presents unique challenges that companies must address to be successful.
This article explores the key considerations for hiring remote employees, including sourcing and screening candidates, onboarding and managing remote workers, and creating a company culture that supports remote work.
Table of Contents
What Are The Benefits Of Remote Work For Employees?
Remote work offers numerous benefits for employees and employers.
For employees, remote work provides flexibility, convenience, and the ability to work from anywhere, which improves work-life balance and reduces commuting time and expenses. Remote work also allows for a wider range of job opportunities and fosters a more diverse and inclusive workforce.
Remote workers who want to stay in a geographic area can work for companies across the country – or across the world.
What Are The Benefits Of Hiring Remote Employees?
For employers, remote work results in cost savings on office space, equipment, and overhead expenses, increased productivity, and access to a wider talent pool. Additionally, remote work improves team member retention rates and reduces turnover costs.
Remote work increases team member productivity and satisfaction, improving work quality and business outcomes. Finally, offering remote work options give businesses a competitive edge in attracting and retaining top talent.
Business travel costs tend to be lower too. During the pandemic, conference attendance is down, and even sales professionals replaced in-person sales calls with virtual ones. Since pandemic restrictions have lifted, many in sales continue to do part of their jobs on Zoom, as they found that online meetings were effective. Business travel has picked up, but Covid caused permanent changes in how sales is done. Virtual meetings also reduce business entertainment expenses.
Should Employers Hire Remote Employees?
Whether or not employers should hire remote employees ultimately depends on the needs and goals of the business. Hiring remote employees brings many benefits, but it may not suit every company or industry.
Employers should consider hiring remote employees when the nature of the work allows for it.
Studies show that fewer than 30% of jobs are suitable work-from-home positions. The more personal interaction and equipment a job needs, the less likely it will work as a remote job. That is why firemen and machine operators do not work from home.
During the recent pandemic, police, firemen, medical personnel, housekeeping staff, retail workers, and food service employees worked despite shutdowns. Many low-paid workers put themselves at risk daily as they were not allowed to work from home and enjoy the perk available only to some other workers.
Jobs that are more reliant on computer use, such as those in finance, management, and computer science, can more easily be performed from home.
Before hiring remote employees, employers need to assess their organizational needs and resources and the potential benefits and challenges of remote work. With careful planning and effective management, hiring remote employees is a valuable strategy for businesses seeking to stay competitive in today’s workforce.
A well-planned and executed remote work strategy is a valuable asset for many businesses.
How Do I Hire An Employee Remotely?
The interview process for remote candidates may involve video calls and assessments to evaluate their skill set, work experience, and cultural fit with company values.
It’s important for hiring managers to carefully craft job descriptions and interview questions that reflect the unique requirements of remote positions and to provide comprehensive onboarding and training for new hires.
Here are five examples of how to hire a team member remotely:
- Posting job listings on popular job boards like LinkedIn, Indeed, or Glassdoor attracts a large pool of qualified candidates worldwide.
- Utilizing social media platforms like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram is an effective way to promote job openings and reach potential candidates.
- Participating in virtual job fairs, such as those hosted by universities or industry associations, provides an opportunity to connect with a targeted group of job seekers.
- Video interviews via Zoom or Skype allow for face-to-face contact with candidates, even when they are not physically present.
- Team member referrals, as encouraging current employees to refer qualified candidates is a cost-effective and reliable way to hire remote employees who fit the company culture well.
What To Consider When Hiring Remote Employees
When hiring remote employees, smart employers take action to ensure that remote hires will succeed in the company. They should:
- Clearly define job responsibilities, expectations, communication protocols, and work hours.
- Carefully screen candidates for relevant skills, experience, and ability to work independently and communicate effectively.
- Ensure they have the necessary infrastructure and tools to support remote work, such as virtual meeting software and project management tools.
- Consider the potential legal and tax implications of hiring remote workers, including compliance with local labor laws and tax regulations.
How Else Do Companies Save Money With Remote Employees?
Remote work can be cheaper for employers. Aside from reducing office expenses, recruitment costs, and turnover, remote work lowers costs associated with team member absenteeism and turnover. Remote work options increase retention rates.
Business travel costs tend to be lower too. During the pandemic, even sales professionals replaced in-person sales calls with virtual ones. Since pandemic restrictions have lifted, many in sales continue to do part of their jobs on Zoom, as they found that online meetings were effective. Business travel has picked up, but Covid caused permanent changes in how sales is done.
What Should Companies Pay For Remote Workers?
When determining pay for remote workers, companies should first consider the worker’s skill level, experience, industry norms, and local market rates. They should also consider the cost of living where the remote worker is located and any differences in tax regulations and labor laws. Some companies may choose to adjust salaries based on the local cost of living factors, such as housing, transportation, and healthcare costs.
To facilitate remote work, many companies contribute to the costs of setting up a home office and buying equipment such as computers, office furniture, and wi-fi. They often have stipend reimbursement policies to make it clear what the company will pay for.
Paying remote workers should be based on a fair and transparent evaluation of multiple factors.
Is Working Remotely Legal?
Working remotely is generally legal, but there may be legal requirements and restrictions that employers and workers need to be aware of. For example, workers may need the proper visas if they work remotely abroad, and employers should ensure they comply with local labor laws and tax regulations.
Additionally, there may be insurance and liability concerns that remote workers and companies need to address. Employers should know any legal requirements and obligations regarding remote work and follow all applicable laws and regulations.
How Can I Find Remote Employees?
There are several ways to find remote employees. One can use online job boards specializing in remote work, such as FlexJobs or Remote.co. Another option is to post job listings on general job boards but specify in the job description that the position is remote. Sites like Upwork and Fiverr offer access to freelancers who might be interested in regular work from a top remote employer.
Utilizing social media platforms like LinkedIn and Twitter to promote open positions is also effective in finding remote employees. Finally, leveraging personal networks and team member referrals is a successful strategy for finding top talent for remote positions.
Remote Work And The Pandemic
The pandemic accelerated trends toward remote working, and it is now a permanent option for many companies. As companies navigate this new landscape, it’s important to price remote talent competitively and to foster a strong work ethic and sense of community within the remote team.
Strategically and thoughtfully hiring and onboarding remote employees allows companies to access the best talent worldwide and build a successful remote team.
