According to the latest Future of Jobs Report, the coronavirus pandemic had a significant impact on the global labour market. Today, most sectors are affected, but some of them are more resilient than others. These are mainly sectors where remote work is possible. This report also points out that more than 84% of companies around the globe are considering the digitalisation of their operations, with cloud computing, e-commerce and big data. This means that in the long term, nearly half of their workforce will be working remotely. Some 43% of companies surveyed intend to reduce their staff in the coming months. By 2025, nearly 85 million jobs around the globe could be affected, taking into account the rising unemployment rate and the acceleration of digitisation.
What's happening around the world
Remote work is an interesting option for those looking for a better work-life balance. Employees enjoy more freedom and flexibility without having to commute. But this is not necessarily the case for everyone, especially for families seeking a better quality of life, lower cost of living compared to their home country, more attractive salaries, and a cultural experience in complete immersion.
With the current travel restrictions in many countries, professionals around the world are finding it hard to secure a job abroad. Some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, are gradually reopening their borders to foreign professionals, but they are mainly recruiting the most highly-skilled candidates in health, construction, technology, engineering, etc. But what about those with skills that don't necessarily require moving abroad?
Today, many jobs, such as sales, customer service, marketing, software development, content writing, etc., can be done remotely by remote teams or individual freelancers. These employees often work on a temporary basis, with specific assignments or at an hourly rate. So why would a company take the administrative trouble of hiring foreign professionals for specific positions when they could hire remote workers?
Who benefits from remote work?
For most companies, remote working means cost-cutting. From the selection process to assignments and professional meetings, including job interviews, everything is done online. Another benefit for companies is that they don't have to offer high salary packages. Besides, they don't have any obligations towards these employees in terms of immigration, employment contract and taxation.
One of the most popular destinations for working abroad, the United Arab Emirates are now promoting remote work. According to a recent study by Riverbed, one in five companies are planning to keep up remote work for at least a year. This will allow them to preserve their workforce, reduce costs in terms of hiring and equipment, and eliminates the need for immigration-related paperwork. Besides, Dubai recently announced a new remote work visa instead of opening its labour market to foreign professionals. This visa is intended for employees who do not intend to look for work in the emirate. They will be able to stay in Dubai for a year maximum while working remotely for their employer, provided they can prove their employment and income.
Many countries, such as Estonia, Antigua and Barbuda, Barbados, Cayman Islands and the Czech Republic, have implemented similar policies over the past few months. These are attracting remote workers for a period of one to two years. In August, Croatia's Prime Minister also announced a remote work visa for 2021.
What are the risks of remote working?
If you'd still take up a remote work position until most countries lift their border restrictions and the international labour market stabilises, there are several things to consider. However, it's important to distinguish between expats who live in the same country as the company and those who are overseas. If you and the company are in the same country, you may need some proof of employment for tax reasons. In many countries, employers cannot pay a monthly salary to an employee without any legal agreement.
If you're ready to consider remote work in your home country, keep in mind that you may not be getting the salary you expect unless you have exceptional skills and you master the art of negotiation. And if you do, there is no obligation in terms of contract or taxation. Still, you will be following a strict protocol, including provisions for the protection of intellectual property and access to sensitive data. You will also be given tight deadlines, so proper time-management will be needed to avoid any conflicts. This is the real challenge, especially for workers having children.
Waking up every morning to spend 8 hours a day in front of a computer without ever getting out of the house is not everyone's cup of tea. The lack of interaction with your colleagues, although you can communicate via Skype and Hangout, can have a significant impact on your morale in the long run. According to the Harvard Business Review Study, many employees are currently struggling to bond with their colleagues, which is affecting their collaboration.
Should you work remotely for your employer from abroad?
What is possible isn't always legal, so before being tempted by the attractive offers coming your way, make sure to check with your employer first. Your employer is responsible for your health and safety as an employee, so they must be able to provide coverage, no matter where you choose to work from. For example, you might have work appointments, or you could have a work accident, so your employer is responsible for the related costs. Your employer may also require you to come back urgently, so you should be available at all times. In fact, you definitely need your employer's authorisation and an agreement before moving overseas for remote work.
With the global health crisis and continuously changing travel regulations, it's best to be on the safe side. You definitely wouldn't want to lose your job.
