The dawn of remote work has brought with it the ability for Human Resources professionals to practice global hiring. Just as employees can work from anywhere, employers can hire talent from anywhere in the world. No longer is HR - in certain industries and roles, anyway - limited to local talent.
However, the thought of hiring someone - or many someones - on the other side of the world can be daunting. There are a number of ways to set an organization up for success with global hiring. Here are some best practices for anyone who wants to get started:
Determine Where to Seek Talent
Talk to any employer of record (EOR) company, which serves as the employer for tax purposes while the employee works for a different organization, and quickly realize that many countries and regions have a wealth of talent with a specific specialty. For example, Mexico boasts a talent hub of engineers. The first step in deciding to conduct global hiring is to determine the role for which hiring is necessary. Then, HR professionals can execute due diligence and discover where hubs exist for those roles. It helps HR narrow down the geographies from which to hire.
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Consider Investing in an EOR Service
Hiring an EOR takes the pressure off of HR. After all, the EOR is well-versed in the laws and regulations of multiple countries and regions. As a result, they take responsability for paying taxes, providing benefits, following regulations for safety and scheduling, etc. The EOR serves as a guide to help the employer navigate hiring and engaging an employee in a country that is different from headquarters. EORs can even help clients understand cultural nuances that might interfere with employee engagement. HR benefits from knowing about little details like expectations of breaks or widely celebrated holidays or the kinds of drinks and food to stock in the office pantry.
Embrace Remote Work
Remote work is getting a bad rep in mainstream media. This is mostly because many executives prefer in-person work, so they can maintain greater control over workers, better manage what everyone is actually doing during work hours, and, to some extent, forge bonds for improved collaboration and engagement. However, organizations that want to hire the best talent regardless of geography must embrace remote work.
They might have in-office days if they have multiple offices around the world. They could host a quarterly or annual gathering to bring together employees. Those decisions depend on the nature of the business and the type of hiring the organization is doing. Regardless, however, hiring people in many different locations means that remote work is possible for the industry and role and leaders support workers with the necessary technology and intentional collaboration and regular check ins.
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Allow Asynchronous Work
Asynchronous work means that employees are not keeping the same hours. When dealing with workers in various time zones, asynchronous work is a must. It also can be a form of flexibility for those within the same time zone. Maybe a mom picks up her kids from school and does homework with them, so she makes up those hours later in the evening, for example. Also, employers may require team members in different time zones to have meetings at times that are decent for everyone or allow people to take turns waking up early or ending the workday later. After all, collaboration and making sure everyone is on the same page is a necessity, too. Still, heads down work can get done at any time, as long as it gets done.
Create Opportunities for Cultural Exchange
Having people who live in different countries and hold different ethnic identities is another way to leverage diversity. Therefore, this talent pool must be taken into account when planning for diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) initiatives. To ensure people feel included, HR should create chances for open dialogue. Be intentional about meeting virtually with team members. Offer opportunities for colleagues to learn about each other's traditions and cultures. For example, one organization had employees share recipes from their homeland and put it in a book that was distributed to the whole staff.
Ultimately, global hiring allows companies to seek out the best talent in specialized niches. While it can complicate matters, especially when it comes to compliance and regulations in other countries, it also offers great benefits. Companies who want to pursue this form of hiring may consider utilizing an EOR, embracing remote work, and permitting workers to complete the work on different schedules, depending on their time zones.
Learn more about global hiring at the HR Exchange Network's upcoming webinar with Multiplier. It's free and you can bring your questions, comments, and stories. There's also a chance to network with others in the live chat.
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