Though small U.S. firms are run by fewer people, each worker needs to be an exceptional talent. In many cases, they need to assume the responsibilities of numerous roles each working day.
Last year’s worker shortage was forecasted to bring in more foreign workers to the U.S. Your small enterprise would not be alone in hiring more overseas talent, and there are plenty of valid reasons for doing so too. Chief among them is that your company would benefit enormously.
Hiring foreign workers is not without its challenges. Read on for some tips to help you make things easier, both for your small business and them.
Respect public holidays
Help your foreign workers assimilate more naturally into your workforce. Learn their customs so that you can welcome them more ably.
Think about their public holidays. Show a keen awareness of them and give your workers time off for each where appropriate. Ensure that they feel respected by honoring their traditions and values.
Ask questions about where they are from. Demonstrate a keen interest in their background. Assure them that their unique experiences can have exciting applications in your business.
Do not allow your show of respect to be an isolated incident. Inform your U.S. colleagues that they should follow your example of showing interest. Support your workers as they build understanding and familiarity with one another. Nurture a unified and compassionate workforce from there.
Hire quality support
Make sure your international recruitment efforts are compliant with U.S. laws. Do not assume that you can cheat the system to save time and money.
Work with quality lawyers who can facilitate the process well. Take a look at Farmer Law, which can provide nearby businesses with an experienced Austin immigration lawyer to represent them. Recruit and retain quality foreign workers with their help. Have all your concerns around immigration answered with their expert insights.
Note that these services can bring stress relief. Consider that you will not need to worry about following all the correct processes alone. Trust in their professionalism and that you are then compliant with all federal immigration laws.
Consider remote work opportunities
Revisit your business processes. Contemplate whether it is always worth bringing foreign workers abroad if they can perform from where they are.
Know that interest in remote working from other countries has grown a great deal stateside and beyond. Remember, some jobs can be done with a computer and an internet connection alone. Evaluate your needs to see if your firm is likely to be successful under these arrangements.
Account for things like time zone differences where possible and see if your infrastructure can accommodate that. Use this to your advantage, in that certain aspects of your company can run overnight.
Incorporate remote foreign workers into the work culture if they are interested. Invite them to staff socials over Zoom, and feature them in team group chats on the communications software you use. Do not let your distance be an excuse for poor communication.
