There have been great innovations that have changed the way the workplace works. Technology has revamped methods for communication and how we work whilst smart devices are now considered a necessity in order for a business to function correctly. One of the most common and popular methods, however, is the idea of hiring remote workers. They’re now becoming an efficient option for businesses but when taking up this option, there are occasions when applicants are from overseas. If you have an applicant from overseas, should you consider hiring them for your small business? Here are some things to consider if you do.
What are the benefits?
The reason that many businesses have taken up the remote worker option is due to the many benefits that it has. For the remote worker themselves, due to their flexible schedules they tend to be happier in general which means their productivity increases and the business succeeds as a result. It can also save money for the business as there are less costs involved for onboarding the staff making it worth the effort to try.
How should you hire a remote-based worker?
One of the reasons that small business owners tend to be put off with hiring remote workers is due to the legal paperwork that they have to go through in order to hire them and get them onboard. Luckily, the processes are simple when it comes to hiring freelancers compared to bringing some onboard physically and have them working in the country. Here are some steps to manage hiring an international remote worker:
- Make your interview specific to the remote working situation
Pretty much every employer knows what to expect and do when conducting a traditional interview, but hiring a remote worker is different. You’ll be unlikely to see the person in your presence face-to-face and it normally requires a video chat or Skype call to facilitate it. You’d also need to make sure that questions are relatable to the remote work situation in regards to communication and self-management.
- Be specific with the employment type in the contract
When remote workers are hired, they tend to be brought onboard as independent contractors rather than someone specifically employed by the business. So, make sure you outline this in the contract as it means the worker will be responsible for reporting their income rather than putting the pressure on you.
- What are the visa requirements?
The great thing about hiring a foreign remote worker is that visa requirements won’t be a concern you unless they’ll actually be working in your designated country. However, there may be a time when you might need the remote worker to come to your office or be physically present for an event. If that’s the case then you will need to obtain certain documentation and visas to allow this. This will beg the question for the remote worker of what visa do I need? If so, there are several resources that can be referred to check what visa the remote worker depending on the country and circumstances of them needing to visit.
- Check the tax laws when hiring a remote worker
There are different options for you when hiring remote workers to declare tax and handle them appropriately. This is important as failure to declare tax correctly can result in major fines and consequences on you and your business. Tax laws can be different depending on the location of where the worker is working from and how the employee is going to be paid. All of these factors need to be considered before going ahead with hiring a remote worker.
There can be a lot to consider before hiring a remote worker from overseas and it may appear like a bit of a hassle. However, employers that choose the option tend to do this because they feel that there are benefits to putting in the effort. If you happen to take up the option, consider the tips above to ensure that all parties are prepared for onboarding the candidate.
