12 Genuine Benefits of Hiring Local Employees

The digital jobs market has gone global in recent years. Advances in technology mean that tech firms are no longer limited to hiring tech professionals in the same country as their office, let alone the same city. With the tech sector suffering a skills shortage, it can be tempting to cast your hiring net further afield. But have you considered the benefits of hiring local employees?

6 Benefits of Hiring Local Employees From the Immediate Vicinity

Sourcing the tech talent you need in the local area, say less than half an hour away, is the best option possible. Below are just a few benefits of recruiting local candidates:

Staff are More Likely to Want to Work in the Office

We all complain about our journey to work, but a surprising number of people during lockdown created a fake commute. For example, some were going for a half-hour walk before sitting down to work at the kitchen table.

It turns out that a short commute, e.g. between 15 and 30 minutes is better for our mental health. It creates a mental breathing space that enables us to separate home and work life. Therefore, staff who live within half an hour of the office may be keener to work on-site than from home.

A More Productive Workforce

A recent study reveals that employees with shorter commutes are more productive and less likely to take sick days. The more time-consuming our commute is, the less likely we want to go to work if we feel under the weather.

Reduce Staff Turnover

The more time we spend sitting in traffic, the more time we have to dwell on everything that makes us unhappy about work. In fact, while we’re stuck in a traffic jam, 59% of us will consider leaving our jobs. Therefore, hiring staff who live closer to the office will reduce employee stress and staff turnover.

Hiring Locally Benefits the Local Economy

Employees living near their workplace are more likely to buy houses from local estate agents, be members of local health centres, eat at local eateries and shop in local stores. This all results in money being put back into the local economy.

Good for Your Business Reputation

Imagine all the conversations during the abovementioned transactions. How often do you think your business gets a mention during those conversations?

Shopping locally and buying local produce is hugely on-trend. Similarly, hiring locally can do wonders for your employer brand and business reputation. Moreover, it can earn you extra brownie points within the local business community and may result in more deals coming your way.

Better for the Environment

Employees living near the office are more likely to want to walk or cycle to work. These forms of transport are much better for the environment than getting public transport or driving.

6 Benefits of Hiring Local Employees Within the Same Country

Of course, finding the skills you need on your doorstep is not always possible. If the tech skills your business needs are unavailable in the local market, hiring tech experts from the same country is your next best bet. Below are just a few advantages of hiring from your local country:

Reduces Hiring Costs

Recruiting candidates from the same country means you don’t have to spend as much on advertising fees.

Makes Your Workforce Easier to Manage

Hiring staff from within the same time zone as your business makes team collaboration much more straightforward, even if meetings can’t happen in person.

For example, let’s say your office is in Liverpool, but you can’t find the skills you need, so you advertise your vacancy globally. Hiring staff from Spain wouldn’t be so bad because the time difference between the UK and Spain is only an hour.

However, if you hire someone from Indonesia, the time difference between the two countries is 8 hours, which is a full working day. Arranging virtual meetings between these time zones would be challenging.

Avoids Culture and Language Barriers

Communication can be difficult between team members from different countries, not least due to language barriers. There may also be distinct cultural differences between team members that are difficult to manage.

Simplifies the Recruitment and Onboarding Process

Hiring staff from a different country can come with extra considerations. For example, they may require a working visa, or there may be additional tax and legal implications you might not consider.

Promotes Loyalty

Employees who connect with their employer are likelier to remain loyal and seek career progression within the business. Furthermore, local employees who can attend team meetings in person, even if only occasionally, are more likely to feel such a connection.

It is cheaper for employers to hire employees who stay with the business for extended periods than repeatedly having to re-hire for the same vacancy.

Grow Your Own Local Talent Pool

Sometimes hiring managers interview candidates who don’t quite hit the mark just yet. But with a few more years of experience, they might be a perfect fit for your business. There is no harm in asking if you can keep their details on file so that you can contact them again in future.

While this may not solve your short-term need for skills, it enables you to build a database of talent you may wish to call upon in the long term.

A Few Final Thoughts on the Benefits of Hiring Local Employees

Of course, it’s every tech employer’s dream to be able to hire local talent and for them to want to work in the office. Unfortunately, that is easier said than done in today’s current skills-scarce technology sector.

However, working with local, specialist IT recruiters, it is possible to find niche skills closer to home than you might think. Why not call one of our recruitment consultants to find out how they can help?