The pros & cons of a virtual workforce

Over the last decade, we have seen the emergence and subsequent increase in the use of the term “Virtual Assistant” and a remote workforce is becoming a more common concept. There are many factors that have aided this increase ranging from technological developments to increased global mobility.

As a recruiter, over the past few years I have seen more and more candidates interested in flexible working arrangements, be it reduced hours or the highly sought after “virtual” role. These roles are much more attainable given technological advancements in areas such as video conferencing, cloud technology and smart phone applications. Increased mobility sees many executives work onsite with clients or travel for their roles meaning they are not even in the office to oversee their direct reports. Employers are looking at benefits to make their business more appealing to new talent and flexible working arrangements rank high on the list amongst the millennial workforce. These are some of the factors that have perpetuated the trend towards working remotely.