Every company operates intending to grow into something huge one day. Thus, expansion of the workforce is the direct result of it. Inclusion of diversity has become the fundamental goals of almost all firms, and they tend to work towards it diligently. Global expansion is the solution but implementing it has its hurdles. Having a global workforce is beneficial in many aspects, but it requires an HR strategy that must be suited globally which includes immigration policies, why people used to migrate to different cities, global mobility rules, managing worldwide talent and how to make an inclusive strategy. In this competitive world, every company requires a talented workforce to help them achieve their long-term goal. Winning this global talent war is an additional task that the company needs to do to retain the top talent and build a strong workforce.

What is a global workforce?

Hiring a global workforce or global talent is the need of the hour. Hiring people from all around the world is called a global workforce. Hiring people internationally increases the possibility of attracting and retaining the best quality talent from around the globe and thus increases the company’s shot at maintaining diversity. Shortage of skills in specific areas can also turn you to hire globally where there are plenty of skills available.

What is the need for a global workforce?

Having a global workforce, expanding internationally comes with many benefits. Let’s take a look at them:

• The most important benefit is that it helps strengthen the diversity factor in firms and thus opens doors for alternate ways of thinking.

• New hires from different parts of the world bring in expertise and learnings of different locations and thus provide valuable insights regarding operations in different parts of the world.

• Global hires provide a new way to enter potential new markets and thus take on the first-mover advantage.

• Helps to understand the local customs and business practices that aid in capturing the market.

• Helps in diversifying the company’s markets into untapped areas, thereby securing revenue stability in case anyone particular sector experiences some downturn.

• It also helps the company increase its brand value, thereby having the prestige of calling itself an international company. Thus, it helps in improving the reputation of the company.

What is global mobility?

In earlier times, people used to migrate from rural areas to urban areas in need of work. As the rural areas lacked opportunities and exposure, people from all age groups used to move to urban areas in search of jobs so that they could help their families better. Industrialization in the early 19th century opened up gates with varied job opportunities and in need of a massive amount of workforce. Many people used to toggle between rural and urban landscapes to support their families as well as fulfil the needs of their job roles. In today’s times, people shifting from their country of residence to other countries for work requirements is called global mobility.  

In today’s scenario, companies need to send their talents to different parts of the world to look over their business. Workforces cannot just work from the confinements of their own country. They need to have global exposure to understand the different aspects of their work and thus learn and grow. This is called global mobility. Handling international expatriates is a mighty task, and clear HR strategies must be in place to help them smoothly through the process. Preparing the workforce for a mobile future is a demanding task that every company needs to fulfil by preparing policies, having a clear strategy and having immigration policies in place.

What is workplace immigration?

Hiring a global workforce implies that talents don’t have borders. To hire international talent, employers must have an electronic, national and an integrated employee eligibility verification system. People working in different countries other than their country of nationality are called immigrants, and the process of going from one country to another for work is called workplace immigration. HRs must keep a documented record for employee’s immigration, and HR acts as the facilitator too.

No individual who is not legally permitted to work in the U.S. can take any job there. Employment and immigration rules in the U.S. are too strict, and thus companies have to be vigilant in hiring U.S. candidates for work or for sending their workforce to the U.S. Immigrant workers are provided with several protections as illegal discrimination against immigrants is on a rampant rise in today’s world. So, they need to be protected under the law.  

What are certain things that employers must know about workplace immigration?

There are specific facts that employers must know to help them formulate good global workforce strategy and immigration laws. Some of these are:

• The most commonly used employee-based immigration visa is the H-1B – The H-1B visa is the work permit that allows all foreign people to go to the U.S. and thus have employment with American companies. The foreign national should work in speciality fields where a U.S. based worker is not to be found. The visa is sponsored by the employer and is valid for 3 years, which can be extended.

• Applying for visas are costly – Applying for visas are expensive and are generally borne by the company. That is the reason hiring a global worker is a matter of long-term strategy for the firm. Careful consideration and planning must be in place before hiring international people as it is a costly affair. One wrong decision and the company can lose millions.

• The government puts a cap on the number of approved H-1B visas per year- The Government approves only 65000 H-1B visas every year. Due to the ongoing war for talent acquisition, the government receives much more H-1B visas than it can approve, and thus the visas are distributed by lottery systems.  

• In times of a good economy, the U.S. has more job openings than the unemployed people there – the U.S. has a vast labour force, but it is not more than the number of openings in the U.S. So, hiring globally can help bridge this demand-supply gap.

• The workplace immigration process is time-consuming – Lengthy timings, the complexity of visa paperwork and the uncertainty of visa approval are some of the challenges in hiring a global workforce. Most of the HRs find this to be too lengthy but also worth their efforts.

The global workforce is the need of every firm to help their organization in reaching the pinnacles of success that they have aimed for. A strategic decision by choice is also a fruitful one. Hiring and retaining the correct talent is the aim of all organizations and is the need of the hour to stay ahead in the competition.