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I think the problem isn't "how does this work" but "is it worth it" for smaller companies to have workers in other countries. From the article: >Not every com

I think the problem isn't "how does this work" but "is it worth it" for smaller companies to have workers in other countries. From the article: >Not every company is a FAANG, and companies will struggle to transition given their limited resources.

philote 6y ago
But that's an argument about having remote workers in other countries, not necessarily about remote work in general. Allowing remote workers would greatly expand the available resources a company could choose from within their own country.
skissane 6y ago
> but "is it worth it" for smaller companies to have workers in other countries There are a couple of options: 1) There are a lot of accounting/law/etc firms willing to setup a local subsidiary for you and do all the necessary paperwork and book-keeping. All you have to do is pay them $$$ and sign the stuff they send you. They'll tell you when to have board meetings and spoon-feed you the resolutions the directors need to pass, etc (e.g. in some jurisdictions the directors need to review the accounts once a year and pass a resolution saying the business is still solvent – so long as the parent company is guaranteeing the subsidiary, this turns into a pro forma exercise, since the subsidiary will rely on the parent company's guarantee to ensure its own solvency) 2) There are firms (e.g. Gitlab uses Safeguard and Remote) which will employ people for you in another country. You just pay them $$$ and they legally employ the employees and look after tax/benefits/etc. Technically they are contractors who are employees of this agency but you can treat them like employees. Now, both options can be expensive. (Option 2 may be cheaper for a small number of employees, soon option 1 will become cheaper.) But, it is really a question – if it costs $X extra to employ person Y in country Z, is person Y worth paying $X extra for?

philote 6y ago

But that's an argument about having remote workers in other countries, not necessarily about remote work in general. Allowing remote workers would greatly expand the available resources a company could choose from within their own country.

skissane 6y ago

> but "is it worth it" for smaller companies to have workers in other countries There are a couple of options: 1) There are a lot of accounting/law/etc firms willing to setup a local subsidiary for you and do all the necessary paperwork and book-keeping. All you have to do is pay them $$$ and sign the stuff they send you. They'll tell you when to have board meetings and spoon-feed you the resolutions the directors need to pass, etc (e.g. in some jurisdictions the directors need to review the accounts once a year and pass a resolution saying the business is still solvent – so long as the parent company is guaranteeing the subsidiary, this turns into a pro forma exercise, since the subsidiary will rely on the parent company's guarantee to ensure its own solvency) 2) There are firms (e.g. Gitlab uses Safeguard and Remote) which will employ people for you in another country. You just pay them $$$ and they legally employ the employees and look after tax/benefits/etc. Technically they are contractors who are employees of this agency but you can treat them like employees. Now, both options can be expensive. (Option 2 may be cheaper for a small number of employees, soon option 1 will become cheaper.) But, it is really a question – if it costs $X extra to employ person Y in country Z, is person Y worth paying $X extra for?