Let's tackle a topic that's often misunderstood: hiring remote staff ethically. There's a lot of chatter out there, so let's clear the air and get down to some practical, real-world advice.
First Things First: Addressing the Elephant in the Room
Let's get the elephant out of the room: it's totally ethical to hire people in the Philippines. Some naysayers and do-good warriors might say, "How can you pay $480 to $720 per month.? That's not fair." Well, they’re wrong. Here’s why.
Understanding the Context
First of all, everything is relative. In the Philippines, those rates are decent salaries. For instance, paying someone $600/month is on par with the salary of a school teacher. To give you more perspective, big financial services firms like PWC and KPMG have associates with salaries between $500-$1300/month.
And what about McDonald's and Starbucks? They pay salaries closer to $1.50-$2.50/hr ($200-$300 per month).
Of course, if you’re looking to hire a professional to work virtually for you, you'll struggle to find someone for that rate, and I don't advise it, because they'll always be looking for something better.
The key is to build a team of virtual staff that grows with you. Look at it long-term. This is how you make real money and grow a thriving business.
The Real Meat: Practical, Real-World Advice
1. Give Time Off
It’s not the Victorian era of Britain or the Gilded Age of the USA. You’re hiring staff, people, humans. Don’t expect them to be on demand 24 hours a day. Instead, be fair and set real work schedules. When you send a job offer on VirtualStaff.ph, clearly set the working hours and days they’ll work. This helps create a balanced work-life situation for your staff, which is essential for their well-being and productivity.
2. Use Compliant Agreements
To protect yourself and your business, get your staff to sign a compliant agreement. You can easily do this with the click of a button inside VirtualStaff.ph. This ensures that everything is clear and legally sound, both for you and your virtual assistant.
3. Pay Fair Salaries
We discussed this earlier, but it’s worth repeating. Based on my extensive experience (I have over 1,000 people who’ve worked for me in the Philippines and have helped over 500,000 people in the Philippines get hired by businesses worldwide), always look to pay above $3.00 per hour ($460/month). You’ll find and retain good people this way.
Of course, for more experienced and specialized roles, you’ll need to increase this rate. For example, accountants and professionals might be in the $5.00-$15.00/hr range ($9600-$25k annually or just above). Use common sense and check their asking rates.
The great thing about VirtualStaff.ph is that:
- The staff set a target rate – You know what they're comfortable with.
- You ultimately decide the rate – You agree it with the staff and send a job offer within the platform to ensure everything is fair and transparent.
Wrapping It Up
Being ethical when hiring remote staff isn't just about paying fair wages. It’s about creating a respectful, professional relationship with your team. Provide clear work schedules, use compliant agreements, and pay fair salaries. This not only helps you build a strong, loyal team but also ensures your business can thrive ethically and sustainably.
Remember, if you’re looking to build a stellar virtual team, VirtualStaff.ph is here to help. With our platform, you can find and onboard top talent easily and securely, ensuring everything is done the right way.
If you have not done so already, create your account and start building your team today.
