Why Companies Choose To Hire Remote Staff
As we navigate the post-pandemic world, outsourcing staff has become the new norm for many businesses today.
Since 2021, the number of employees who choose to work remotely has increased by 24%. Meanwhile, the preference for in-office work has dropped by the same number.
While the modern workplace is ever-evolving, one thing remains constant – remote staffing is here to stay. Companies that are transitioning to this work setup don’t just consider it a necessity anymore; they see it as a long-term opportunity.
4 Reasons Why Remote Staffing Is In-Demand Today
These work trends prove why more and more companies join the shift from physical to remote work.
Remote Staffing Has Become A Mainstream Business Model
Get this: 78% of CEOs believe that remote collaboration must be considered as a long-term business strategy.
What started out as a coping mechanism for businesses battling the COVID-19 pandemic’s economic challenges has become the common work setup today. To name a few examples, Airbnb, Coinbase, and Atlassian are just some of the companies that now offer a permanent remote work setup.
In fact, 16% of global companies have already gone fully remote! By 2028, it’s expected that 73% of all departments will have remote workers.
But, you’re probably wondering – apart from the pandemic, what’s causing the global outsourcing frenzy today?
For the most part, the rapid advancement of workplace technology further reinforces the effectiveness of remote work. Nowadays, companies have access to more tools and resources that drive greater efficiency.
For example, tech integrations like project management software and automation programs create a seamless workflow for brick-and-mortar businesses and eCommerce startups alike.
Most Employees Now Prefer Flexible Work Schedules
The ability to work anytime, anywhere has encouraged modern employees to switch to a fully remote working environment. They feel more empowered and motivated when they are in control of their working hours, plus they are able to utilize their skills and abilities at max potential!
In a 2021 study by Gartner, 43% of workers said that flexibility in working hours helped them achieve greater productivity. This is the product of less time spent commuting and overall freedom in time management.
69% of millennials are even willing to give up certain benefits for a more flexible working space!
New Generations Enter The Workplace
The new wave of employees has compelled companies to start changing their traditional work arrangements and redefining their workplace environment.
Specifically, the arrival of Gen Z in the workplace is a key driving factor for most businesses to embrace remote work for good. In 2021, Gen Zs accounted for up to 40% of the global workforce.
This generation values work flexibility among others, prompting employers to adjust their common office practices. As digital natives and tech mavens, they also expect the workplace to be equipped with modern technology such as remote collaboration and productivity tools.
Employees Value Workforce Diversity And Company Culture
One of the key workplace trends that employers must consider is this: employees deeply care about diversity, equity, and inclusion.
And that’s precisely why more companies choose to hire remote staff nowadays. Outsourcing employees enables recruiters to reach out to people across borders and bring together workers of different backgrounds, creating workforce diversity and enhancing company culture.
The 6 Benefits of Outsourcing Remote Staff
Why hire remote staff in this day and age? From reducing your overhead costs to increasing employee engagement and boosting productivity, here are the advantages of outsourcing your workforce.
- It’s cost-effective
One of the ways to cut business costs is to outsource remote employees. In-office work usually comes with overhead costs like office supplies, electricity, utilities, insurance, and so on. You can eliminate these expenses when you have staff that works 100% remotely.
In addition, outsourcing your HR department also minimizes your operational costs significantly.
On top of salary, staffing costs can easily pile up for certain activities such as recruitment, performance management, training and upskilling. Letting an external HR entity do all these costly tasks will enable you to invest more money in your business growth.
- It reduces employee turnover rate
Here’s the thing: if the work-from-home setup were taken away, 39% of workers would immediately quit. 66% of them would start looking for a job that offered more flexibility. That is the case for most Millennial and Gen Z workers today.
That’s the reason why companies opt to hire remote staff. It directly enhances employee retention! Workers are more likely to stay and perform their tasks well when they have full control of their time and are able to set a work-life balance.
- A faster and hassle-free hiring process
Recruiting, onboarding, and training employees can be a tedious process. From posting job ads on numerous portals to going through countless and lengthy CVs, finding the right candidate yourself is too time-consuming and, at times, frustrating.
Hiring a remote employee with the help of an outsourcing partner takes away all these
tasks from your plate.
In turn, you’ll be able to focus on other areas of your organization that require more attention. You’ll also be able to dedicate more of your time and resources to things that matter, like growing your business or executing your plans for expansion!
- Access to a wider talent pool
On-site businesses are limited to the talent that’s available within their reach. Going remote eliminates this locational restriction and opens bigger doors for discovering A+ talent.
Outsourcing agencies have a large network of high-potential candidates with proven expertise and specific areas of specialization. If you’re outsourcing in the Philippines, you’ll find that most professionals are equipped with industry knowledge, competence, and sufficient work experience.
Instead of settling for someone who simply meets the requirements, you can go for a candidate that really suits the position you’re trying to fill in your company.
- It boosts work productivity and efficiency
Did you know that 62% of workers are more productive when they work remotely? That’s because most employees are prone to distractions and interruptions when they work in an office.
When employees work in their own space and environment, they can focus on the tasks at hand and accomplish more with the time they are given. It reduces burnout, too, as flexibility allows them to pause work and take breaks as opposed to sitting at their office desk for long hours.
- It minimizes employee absenteeism
A report by the US Bureau of Labor Statistics shows that companies with remote work setups tend to experience lower rates of employee absence. The data revealed that employees who are allowed to work remotely take fewer sick days compared to those who work on-site.
So if you want to reduce employee absenteeism in your company, outsourcing staff and offering a flexible work arrangement might just do the trick!
Tips for Establishing a Remote Work Setup
While it’s true that remote work comes with a lot of conveniences and advantages, outsourcing an employee or transitioning from in-office to remote work can be difficult. Here are some useful tips to ensure a smooth and productive workflow:
- Simplify collaboration. The main challenge of working remotely is the lack of face-to-face interaction and collaboration. Your employees won’t be able to sit together and work on a project. So, make sure to arm them with essential tools like Google Workspace.
- Centralize team communication and engagement. Running your business remotely starts with aligning everything, especially your people. The key to seamless collaboration is seamless communication! Make sure to have a centralized platform that acts as your virtual office. Slack and ClickUp are great examples of team communication and project management tools.
- Set up clear KPIs and performance metrics. Conduct frequent check-ins with your team members and do regular performance reviews. This way, you can track your progress and meet your goals. You can use a Scorecard to measure your employees’ performance and your business efficiency as a whole.
Top Sources For Remote Talent
Planning to tap a remote worker? Here are some of the most popular platforms where you can outsource an employee.
Upwork
Upwork is one of the biggest freelancing marketplaces where employers can find independent contractors. Here, freelancers can make offers to get jobs; they are free to set their “bids”, and buyers (employers) select the best price offers.
It’s a generic platform, so Upwork freelancers are able to do any type of work that can be done remotely.
Fiverr
Fiverr is best suited for those who want to get a job done quickly and easily. The platform is best known for its $5 services – you can ask a freelancer to execute a task or deliver a project for this small price. High-rated freelancers and premium users, however, can charge way higher.
Just like Upwork, it covers a wide range of services from video editing to content writing, social media marketing, and more. You can create a free account and communicate with a freelancer before booking them for a gig.
Credo
Unlike Upwork and Fiverr, Credo isn’t a generic talent marketplace. It has a specific niche: SEO and marketing. You’ll find a list of services on the platform like link building, PPC, content marketing, WordPress development, and so on.
Its clear advantage over all-around platforms like Upwork is that the freelancers have been pre-vetted, so you can rest assured you’re working with top-caliber talent.
Consider Outsourcing Specialized, Highly-Skilled Professionals
While these platforms offer the convenience of hiring instant talent, modern businesses get the most benefits from hiring full-time remote professionals with specialized and refined skill sets.
MultiplyMii helps global companies grow their brand and improve their operations by connecting them with the top 1% of Filipino talent. These highly-skilled Filipino professionals are equipped with high English proficiency, good educational attainment, and specific areas of specialization to help you scale your business.
Need help outsourcing in the Philippines? Let MultiplyMii find your next high-performing remote employee today!
From recruitment and onboarding to HR management, we’ll help you build and retain your efficient Filipino workforce.
