Remote working has given companies access to the globe’s talent pool, supported by tech developments such as remote management systems like Slack or meeting software like Zoom.
However, simply having a global workforce is one thing; making the most of it is another.
To attract the best talent and maximise their productivity, here are four things companies should consider when establishing a global workforce.
When hiring worldwide, it’s common to encounter cultural differences in business and personal expectations.
For example, in Germany, overtime is rare. It’s against the law for an employee to work more than 60 hours a week. Compare this to somewhere like the USA, where the average employee works 9 hours of unpaid overtime a week.
Likewise, there are personal differences. Countries like China have a culture deeply based on building relationships, which is then reflected in their business habits, compared to more distant cultures such as Switzerland.
Engaging with an employee and failing to consider their cultural expectations may leave them feeling dissatisfied and unwelcome within your team and widen the gap they experience as remote employees.
Educating senior employees on approaching remote employees is essential so they feel included.
The differences in time zones worldwide may seem like an obvious issue when outsourcing globally. However, it’s arguably the most important.
It makes sense that an employee who is awake while the rest of your employees are asleep may miss out on crucial updates and struggle to feel connected to your domestic team.
But even slight differences in time can cause significant issues. A meeting on the West Coast of America will be 3 hours earlier in the day than on the East Coast. That could be the difference between a meeting during working hours or cutting into an employee's own time.
It’s not uncommon. A study from Harvard Business Review revealed that timezone misunderstandings cost businesses up to $2 billion annually.
Time zone differences can lead to an employee working unsustainable hours and, at worst, exclusion, missed deadlines, and a remote employee feeling isolated from the rest of your team.
Establishing a standard time zone and educating employees on differences can ensure understanding. Providing a consistent communication channel for remote employees is almost essential.
Effective communication is crucial to the success of any organisation. However, a difference in languages can be a roadblock to this success.
It’s a pretty fundamental problem if an employee can’t understand your instructions or follow along with an important meeting. While it’s true that English is the language of business, 75% of a country's population knows only one language.
An English-only policy can exclude the best talent. So, it’s essential to consider how you plan to navigate language difficulties.
A multi-lingual member of staff may be invaluable. Alternatively, real-time translation software can be up to 95% accurate.
Employees can often feel isolated when a team is spread out across the globe. They may be the only employee in a country and only interact with their colleagues through a screen.
Naturally, this can result in intense feelings of isolation. This isolation can often drive people away from engaging with their work and lead to depressive symptoms.
This issue is more than just an employee’s feelings; it can affect your business, too. It’s estimated that depression costs businesses up to $44 billion yearly.
Systems must be in place to bridge the gap between your team. Having remote team bonding experiences such as weekly group catch-up meetings will certainly be useful.
Portas Global
The advent of remote work has opened the globe’s talent pool to every organisation. It’s a promising avenue for companies to get the best talent possible without the traditional limitations that come with face-to-face employment.
However, it’s essential to consider that distance and differences can isolate employees when they aren’t adequately addressed.
Considering the effect that isolation at work can have on your employee and taking proactive steps to help them feel welcome can improve their working lives and the productivity of your business.
Culture can make a difference. Putting people first will always be a benefit, especially when working internationally.
If you would like to discuss any other EoR considerations or industry insights please reach out to us:
Tel: +44 (0) 115 888 2268
Email: solutions@portasglobal.com
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