Remote HR Solutions for UK Businesses: A Comprehensive Guide

The United Kingdom has been grappling with labor shortages, and in 2023, it hit businesses hard—71% felt the strain of not having enough workers. In fact, according to the CBI’s Employment Trends Survey, these shortages are slowing business growth, investment, and the ability to meet demand.

While job vacancies have dropped from 1.3 million to 812,000, the numbers are still concerning. To bridge the gap, many businesses are training and upskilling their current employees—but there’s only so much one person can do. That’s why companies are turning to more sustainable solutions like technology, automation, and remote staffing, such as hiring virtual executive assistant services in the UK.
‍

In this blog, we’ll take a closer look at the UK’s current labor market and explore how businesses can leverage remote HR solutions to overcome workforce challenges.

‍

Top 3 Causes of Labor Shortage in the UK
‍

‍

There’s no single reason behind the UK’s labor shortage, but several factors have combined to create the current situation. 

Here are the top three causes:
‍

Aging workforce

The UK’s workforce is getting older, with a large number of workers nearing retirement. This shift is creating a labor gap, as fewer younger workers are available to replace those leaving the workforce.

By 2050, the share of workers between 50 and the state pension age will grow from 26% in 2012 to 34%—an increase of over 5.5 million people. Since older employees will make up a bigger part of the workforce, their ability to stay productive will directly impact the UK’s economy. As workers age, employment rates decline—86% of 50-year-olds are still working, but that number drops to 65% by age 60 and just 31% by age 65.
‍

Brexit

Brexit, the UK’s decision to leave the European Union (EU), has played a key role in the country’s labor shortage, especially in sectors that have traditionally relied on migrant workers. 

Some of the hardest-hit sectors are:

• Transport and warehousing, which lost 128,000 EU workers (8% of the workforce).
• Wholesale and retail, down by 103,000 workers (3%).
• Hospitality and food services, losing 67,000 workers (4%).
• Manufacturing and construction are both down by 2%.
• Administrative and support roles, with a loss of 32,000 workers.

Brexit has led to a shortfall of 330,000 workers in the UK. While immigration from non-EU countries has increased, it hasn’t been enough to replace the loss of workers from neighboring EU nations.
‍

Skill gaps

Even before COVID-19 and Brexit, UK businesses were struggling to find skilled workers—and the problem has only grown. By 2023, nearly 70% of companies reported difficulties in hiring people with the right expertise.

One major challenge? There simply aren’t enough workers with the necessary skills. Even among those already employed, many don’t feel fully equipped for their roles. In 2022, more than 1.7 million workers lacked the training needed to perform their jobs effectively, making it even harder for businesses to meet demand.

‍

Why UK Companies Are Turning to Remote Staffing

With labor shortages becoming more severe, UK businesses are turning to offshore staffing to bridge the gap. 

Here are convincing reasons why remote staffing solutions are gaining momentum in the UK:
‍

Filling in the gaps left by immigration policies

UK businesses are struggling to find enough workers, especially after Brexit made it harder to hire from the EU. 

Remote staffing helps solve this problem by giving companies access to skilled workers from around the world, including places like the Philippines. This means businesses don’t have to rely only on local hiring and can find the right people, no matter where they are. 
‍

Addressing the aging workforce

Since many workers in the UK are reaching retirement age, businesses have fewer experienced employees. At the same time, younger workers aren’t entering the workforce fast enough to replace the retiring workforce.

Remote staffing makes it easier for businesses to bring in new talent without being limited by location. This keeps operations running smoothly and helps companies build a strong, skilled team for the future.
‍

Bridging the skills gap

Some jobs require specific skills that can be hard to find in the UK. Instead of struggling to hire locally, businesses can look beyond borders and find professionals with the expertise they need. 

Whether it’s developers, marketers, or customer service specialists, remote staffing connects companies with skilled workers who are ready to help them grow.
‍

Offering cost-effective remote staffing solutions

Hiring in the UK is becoming more expensive, making it tough for businesses to stay competitive. 

Remote staffing offers a more affordable option, especially when hiring from countries like the Philippines, where high-quality talent comes at a lower cost. On top of that, businesses get flexibility—they can scale their teams up or down as needed, which is a big advantage in uncertain times.
‍

How UK Businesses Can Begin Remote Staffing
‍

If you’re considering remote staffing, it’s essential to approach it strategically to ensure success. Here’s how UK businesses can start:
‍

Identify your business needs

Before hiring, figure out exactly what roles or tasks you need help with. Do you need someone to handle admin work, customer support, or a more specialized job like IT or marketing? Knowing what you’re looking for makes hiring much easier.
‍

Decide how you want to hire

When hiring remote staff, you have several options, each with its own benefits. Here’s a breakdown of your choices:

• Hire directly: You handle the entire recruitment process, from job postings to onboarding. This gives you full control but requires time and effort to find and vet candidates.
• Partner with a remote staffing firm: A provider like MultiplyMii handles recruitment, onboarding, and payroll, ensuring high-quality, pre-vetted talent for long-term roles.
• Use freelance platforms: Websites like Upwork, Fiverr, and PeoplePerHour connect you with freelancers for short-term or project-based work. It’s flexible but may not provide long-term reliability.
  ‍

Define the role clearly

It's important to be clear about the role you're hiring for. List the specific skills, qualifications, and experience required for the position. The more detailed you are, the easier it will be to write an accurate job description and attract the right candidate.
‍

Set up the right tools

Once you’ve brought your remote team on board, the next step is making sure they have everything they need to work efficiently. The right tools can make a huge difference in how smoothly your team collaborates, stays organized, and meets deadlines.

Start with communication tools like:

• Slack
• Zoom
• Microsoft Teams 

These tools can keep both your local and remote teams connected through messages, video calls, and updates. 

For project management, help your teams track tasks, deadlines, and progress without confusion through the following tools:

• Asana
• Trello
• ClickUp

Also integrate time-tracking and attendance management tools to ensure accountability and productivity. A GPS-enabled employee time clock app helps monitor remote employees' working hours, breaks, and overtime, ensuring compliance with labor laws and improving payroll accuracy.
‍

Build a communication plan

A strong communication plan is essential to keep your remote team aligned, productive, and engaged. Without regular interaction, misunderstandings can happen, and team members may start to feel disconnected.

Start by setting clear expectations for how and when communication should happen. Will you have daily check-ins, weekly updates, or monthly reviews? Decide on the best channels for different types of communication—quick chats can go through Slack or Microsoft Teams, while important discussions might be better suited for Zoom or Google Meet.

Feedback should also be a priority. Encourage open conversations where team members feel comfortable asking questions and sharing ideas. Regular one-on-ones and team meetings help ensure everyone stays on the same page and feels supported in their role.

When communication is consistent and intentional, your remote team will stay connected, motivated, and ready to perform at their best.
‍

Start small and scale up

Jumping into remote staffing too quickly can feel overwhelming, so it’s best to take a gradual approach. Instead of hiring an entire team at once, start with one or two roles that are most urgent for your business. This allows you to test your remote processes, identify any challenges, and fine-tune your workflow without feeling stretched too thin.
‍

Focus on onboarding and integration

Bringing a new remote hire on board isn’t just about handing them a list of tasks—it’s about helping them feel like part of the team from day one. 

A well-structured onboarding process ensures your new hire fully understands your company’s culture, workflows, and expectations while giving them the tools and support they need to perform.

Start by introducing them to your team through a virtual meet-and-greet. Provide a clear onboarding plan that walks them through your systems, processes, and communication channels.

Remember, a strong onboarding experience leads to better engagement, productivity, and long-term success.
‍

Monitor and optimize

Remote work isn’t a “set it and forget it” system. This business model requires ongoing adjustments and improvements to keep things running smoothly. 

As your team settles in, take time to evaluate what’s working and what’s not. Are deadlines being met? Are team members engaged? Do they have the support and tools they need?

Be open to tweaking your processes—whether that means adjusting meeting schedules, improving workflows, or upgrading tools. By staying flexible and continuously optimizing, you’ll create a more efficient, engaged, and high-performing remote team over time.

‍

Scale Your UK Business with Skilled Remote Filipino Talent

Ready to tap into the vast talent pool in the Philippines?

Partner with MultiplyMii and connect with highly skilled Filipino professionals—without the high costs of local hiring.

With over a decade of experience in remote staffing, we help UK businesses build efficient, cost-effective remote teams. Whether you need virtual assistant services in the UK or specialists in customer support, marketing, IT, or other roles, we’ll find the right talent to help you scale.

Start building your remote team. Book a FREE consultation today!