It’s easier than ever to hire international workers thanks to the Internet. Some foreign workers offer their services at low rates. International employees aren’t going to be the right fit for every company. If you’re considering hiring international staff as part of your business, then you should consider the following list of pros and cons. This can help you determine whether your business would benefit from outsourced labor.
Pros to Hiring Foreign Workers
Low Costs
It’s not as expensive to hire both domestic and foreign employee as you may think it is. There are upsides and downsides to hiring both types of workers. If you hire foreign workers from developing countries, you’ll save more money than you would with full-time employees. If you hire workers within your country, you’ll still save significant costs over hiring an independent contractor or remote workers.
New Skill Sets
Aside from the savings that foreign workers provide, working with international employees can introduce you to new skill sets that weren’t otherwise noticed in your area. They’re also more likely to do the jobs that most local employees don’t want to do.
If you live in a small town, your company may not have enough developers or digital media artists. Hiring foreign workers gives you the ability to find employees that are best-suited for your needs. It doesn’t matter where in the world they’re located. All that matters is the skills they bring to the table. If so needed that they be relocated to the country of the business, there is a great variety of different programs and systems, such as snap immigration or attorneys, that aid in the process of the move and required paperwork. Don’t be afraid of this process as an employer. The idea might be daunting but with a great program it can flow relatively smoothly.
Time Utilization
There’s something satisfying about assigning a project to an international employee and haven’t that work completed by the time you wake up the next day. When managed efficiently, employees who work in different time zones can ensure that your work is done at all times of the day. Even if your international employees are operating while you’re sleeping, you’re able to communicate with them throughout the following work day.
Cons to Hiring Foreign Workers
Language Barrier
There’s a huge language barrier when it comes to hiring foreign workers. If you prefer to hire international workers whose native language is your second language, you’ll encounter challenges when it comes to translating directions for upcoming projects. Some foreign workers may learn English as their second language, but they may not understand the complexities and subtleties associated with the language. Avoid cliches, slang, or business jargon when communicating with your employees.
Internet Communication Problems
Some of your workers may not speak perfect English and that’s perfectly fine. However, this will pose another communication challenge with your workers. You may find yourself having trouble giving instructions for using for using Internet communication programs such as Skype or Zoom. Most of your communication may take place via e-mail, online video chat, or video conference, which can lead to additional costs, miscommunication problems, project delays, and technological glitches.
Turnover and Training
You may find a foreign worker who’s dedicated to your company’s vision, but it’s more likely that you’ll work with them on a temporary basis. Some of them may work with you on a project-to-project basis. This could quickly become a disadvantage since it could cost you higher turnover and training fees when working with international employees than you would with full-time associates.
This list of pros and cons isn’t to dissuade you from hiring international workers. This can save you a lot of money if you don’t want to continue hiring full-time employees. There are many reasons in which outsourcing your work can make more sense for your company.
Just because you’re hiring foreign workers doesn’t mean you’ll get cheap labor. This is only the case if you treat them like cheap labor rather than foreign employees. They can help you focus on what’s important. Consider the pros and cons and plan accordingly so you can avoid some of these common disadvantages when it comes to working with foreign employees.
