In an increasingly interconnected world, the dynamics of the workforce are evolving rapidly. Organizations are expanding their reach beyond borders, tapping into diverse talent pools and navigating a complex web of cultural and regulatory compliance landscapes.
To shed light on these intricacies, GoGlobal recently hosted a webinar titled From Singapore to Spain and Beyond: How to Hire and Fire Around the World, featuring a distinguished panel of GoGlobal executives from various regions:
- Africa: Ashwin Tirvassen, Regional Director, Client Solutions, Africa
- Asia Pacific (APAC)/Middle East: Moon Suen, Executive Director, Client Solutions, APAC/Middle East
- Europe, Middle East, and Africa (EMEA): Kurt Von Moos, Executive Director, Client Solutions, EMEA
- Latin America (LATAM): Ana Vizzotto, Executive Director, Client Solutions, Americas
These seasoned subject matter experts brought a wealth of experience and insights to the webinar, providing valuable perspectives on global workforce management. In this blog post, we take a look at some of the key takeaways from this engaging conversation.
Unlocking the potential of a global workforce
At the start of the webinar, a poll was conducted among the attendees, which mostly consisted of HR professionals, talent acquisition specialists, hiring managers, legal/compliance teams, startup/SME executives and entrepreneurs. The findings revealed that two-thirds of the audience (66%) reported already managing a global workforce, while most of the remaining members expressed interest in or plans to manage a global workforce in the future. This indicated a strong interest in understanding the complexities of global workforce management among the audience.
As highlighted by Ashwin, there are several driving factors behind the desire to hire globally, including the pursuit of a broader talent pool, cost-effective solutions, enhanced diversity and increased agility. Expanding the search for talent beyond local borders allows organizations to tap into a wealth of potential candidates possessing the necessary skills and expertise for key roles – irrespective of their geographical location.
Ana further elaborated on this point by emphasizing the surplus of highly qualified talent in LATAM amid elevated levels of unemployment, which presents opportunities for international recruitment. She noted that remote work has facilitated this process, particularly benefiting North American organizations seeking to leverage the talent pool in regions like LATAM.
Moon emphasized the cost-saving potential and operational advantages of hiring talent abroad, particularly in regions with lower salary and benefit structures. She shared a case study of an organization that expanded its operations to India, leveraging the lower labor costs while also enabling the business to offer around-the-clock customer service. This decision greatly enhanced the company’s competitive advantage.
Operational efficiency can even extend to regions typically perceived as high-cost environments. Kurt highlighted how U.S. tech companies are increasingly drawn to Europe due to the abundance of talent available at comparatively lower costs than traditional tech hubs like Silicon Valley. Poland stands out as an example, with its government offering a range of tax incentives and promoting a transparent, innovative framework for regulating remote work.
Risks and considerations
The webinar extensively explored the risks and challenges inherent in managing a global workforce. Moon shed light on a critical mistake often made by organizations as they expand to new markets: attempting to replicate all operations and policies without localizing them appropriately.
From talent sourcing to post-termination procedures, organizations encounter multifaceted challenges throughout the employment lifecycle. Failure to adapt to local contexts can lead to operational inefficiencies and cultural misunderstandings.
As Ashwin highlighted, international organizations often encounter difficulties in sourcing talent, especially when venturing into new markets such as emerging talent pools in Africa. Local connections and expertise help organizations tap into the talent that may otherwise be challenging to find
Kurt discussed the complexities of labor laws in Europe, which may trigger challenges for international organizations. For instance, he cited the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), which outlines data protection rights. However, as he noted, the law sets guidelines but it doesn’t tell you how to approach implementation from a cultural perspective.
Termination procedures emerged as a particularly challenging area, where cultural expectations and legal requirements often intersect. Moon recounted a client’s experience in Japan, where the process of terminating workers proved more complex than anticipated due to cultural expectations and legal intricacies. Ana echoed the repercussions of improper termination procedures in LATAM, which can tarnish an organization’s reputation and lead to financial and legal repercussions.
Leveraging Employer of Record (EOR) services
The webinar concluded with key takeaways for successfully managing a global workforce. Acceptance of cultural and legal complexity, integration of diverse talent, and adaptation of localized strategies were highlighted as critical factors. Continuous learning and engagement with local expertise were emphasized as essential for staying abreast of regulatory trends and navigating the global landscape effectively.
To navigate these complexities, many organizations are turning to Employer of Record (EOR) hiring. Under this model, the EOR legally employs a company’s workforce through established local entities in the respective country. Consequently, hiring companies, the clients of the EOR, gain access to local talent without the need to establish a business presence.
EOR providers can offer comprehensive support throughout the employee lifecycle, from recruitment to termination. They essentially assist clients in navigating legal complexities and maintaining compliance every step of the way.
The strategic decision-making process for utilizing EOR services involves assessing market suitability and business needs, with the flexibility to use such services temporarily or indefinitely.
By teaming up with a trusted EOR solutions provider like GoGlobal, organizations can seamlessly manage global hiring and termination processes – ensuring compliance and operational excellence around the world.
Check out a recording of our webinar ‘From Singapore to Spain and Beyond: How to Hire and Fire Around the World’ or contact us to learn more about hiring and firing practices around the world.
Download our guides on Building Resilient Workforces in Africa, Asia Pacific, Europe and Latin America.