Deel Policy Positions

To realize our ambitious vision, we actively collaborate with global policymakers and regulators – including through our recently launched "Future of Work" Advisory Board, which includes former U.S. Secretaries of Labor, a former U.S. Senator, and the former top U.S. state banking regulator – bringing unparalleled expertise to our mission.

As we build for the future of work, transparency is key. Below, we outline our positions on critical issues affecting our customers, our team, and the global workforce landscape.

Skilled worker immigration fuels a thriving economy

Deel was founded by immigrants, developed by immigrants, and is frequently used by immigrants. Deel Immigration services help businesses relocate talent and navigate visa applications. We advocate for fair and humane treatment of immigrants. Policymakers should support skilled worker immigration by simplifying visa processes, increasing caps, introducing digital nomad visas, and providing a skills-based path to permanent residency to strengthen their economies. Immigration can be a hot topic, but the benefits of skilled immigration are undeniable. Skilled immigrants boost the talent pool, drive economic growth, grow the tax base, and spark innovation. It's counterproductive for policymakers to restrict skilled immigration, as it means missing out on these valuable contributions.

Effective AI regulation drives innovation

Artificial Intelligence (“AI”) is rapidly transforming industries, including HR and payroll. Deel customers already use Deel AI for reliable global HR insights from workforce data. Our approach emphasizes the power of AI-driven insights to inform human decision making in HR and payroll, where precision is key. While we didn’t develop large language models, we leverage them to enhance real-time compliance, productivity and growth. We prioritize continuous training on real-time data to keep results accurate and relevant. Our experience building Deel AI shapes our perspective on AI regulation:

1. Necessity of Regulation: Essential for AI, but must avoid stifling innovation.
2. Skills Training: Crucial to prepare workers for AI-driven jobs.
3. Principles-Based Approach: Flexible principles over rigid classifications.
4. Clear Supply Chain Roles: Separate AI creators from users to ease regulatory burden.
5. Monitoring and Compliance: Impact assessments by experts ensure effective compliance.
6. Confidentiality: Protect proprietary information and personal data.
7. Global Cooperation: Needed for consistent, effective AI regulations.

Upskilling the workforce for future jobs

Technological change continually creates new jobs while making others obsolete, often due to automation. With AI set to dramatically boost human productivity and output, the need for upskilling and reskilling workers has never been more urgent. Deel is tackling this challenge through Deel Engage, our learning module that allows customers to create customizable training programs, along with a growing bank of training resources.

A comprehensive, eyes-wide-open approach to preventing AI jobs displacement is crucial. We believe it combines employer-led training, online platforms, and the vital role of community colleges and technical schools. We support policymakers’ efforts to upskill workers through direct funding, industry partnerships, and tax credits. By investing in workers and promoting skills-based hiring, we can ensure the workforce remains competitive in a rapidly evolving global economy.

EOR drives job creation and growth

Employer of Record (EOR) services are crucial for job creation and economic growth by legally employing workers for businesses expanding internationally. Deel actively educates policymakers on the benefits of EOR for both workers and employers. Small businesses leverage Deel’s EOR service to enter global markets, while EOR also facilitates inbound investment, boosting domestic job creation. EOR ensures compliance with local payroll, tax, and benefit regulations, overcoming the traditional need for extensive infrastructure. By reducing time, cost, and compliance challenges, EOR enhances job accessibility and supports global economic growth. While some countries may require new regulations, existing laws are often sufficient. Ongoing industry discussions aim to establish consensus and develop possible standards.

Ensuring accurate worker classification and compliance

We are dedicated to supporting businesses in making accurate classifications, which can be challenging given the varying statutes, regulations, and case law globally. That’s why we offer an open-access misclassification assessment, developed with academic partners, for employers and employees to verify classification status for informational purposes. Our Deel Shield service provides legal protection for employers, and our platform prioritizes full-time employees over contractors. Additionally, our Compliance Hub keeps Deel customers informed about regulatory changes. Employment laws can sometimes be outdated, and we believe that modernizing these regulations will benefit businesses by providing clear, easily understandable rules that align with today's work environment.

Modernizing worker protections with portable benefits

The gig economy has led to a rise in workers choosing non-traditional jobs. This shift has often provided workers with greater flexibility and autonomy. However, in the US, where benefits are typically tied to full-time employment, workers face costly and confusing options. One proposed solution is "portable benefits." This approach allows workers to maintain benefits regardless of their work arrangement. It ensures access to traditional employment benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, workers' compensation, life or disability insurance, and sick leave, among other protections. This could modernize employment benefits significantly.

Stock options should be treated as compensation

Employee stock ownership has surged in recent decades, especially as tech companies have granted millions of workers equity awards and stock options. This compensation has created significant wealth by allowing workers to benefit from the growth they helped facilitate. Deel, through its partnership with Carta, supports customers in offering stock options and helping extend ownership to more workers around the world. However, we have found that workers in some countries are severely disadvantaged by differing treatments of stock options, disincentivizing them from exercising options and complicating companies' international scaling efforts.

In June 2024, Deel endorsed the Not Optional campaign in Europe, which aims to improve stock options by advocating for policy change and facilitating mutual recognition agreements between governments. Policymakers should embrace stock options and equity as legitimate compensation, enabling workers to share in the corporate gains they have made possible.

Payments modernization enhances the worker experience

Governments should continue modernizing their payment systems and regulations to ensure that businesses and workers have a 21st-century financial experience. In the internet age, running and receiving payroll should be simple, low-cost and efficient. Deel supports the following initiatives to achieve this:

1. Instant payments systems and infrastructure
2. Modern payments licensing regimes
3. Access to payments systems for non-banks
4. Cross-border payment infrastructure and innovations
5. Access to financial products and services (financial inclusion)
6. Sustainable bank and fintech partnerships

These policy changes would create a more conducive and collaborative environment, unlocking financial access in emerging markets and benefiting people globally.

Employers must ensure an inclusive work environment

At Deel, our thousands of employees across 100 countries bring a rich diversity that we consider our superpower. This global diversity fuels a more inclusive and innovative work environment. This commitment starts at the top, and Deel is proud to be among the 20% of startups with a female cofounder. We believe every employer, including our customers, has a responsibility to ensure their workers have a safe, welcoming, and inclusive workplace. At Deel, we are dedicated to creating a culture where everyone feels valued, respected, and empowered. By embracing diverse backgrounds and perspectives, we foster a nurturing atmosphere that allows all employees to thrive and reach their full potential.

Businesses can embrace eco-friendly practices

We believe companies have a duty to cultivate a socially responsible culture. In fact, building a fiscally sustainable business can align with the goals of fostering environmental sustainability. One Deel co-founder is an environmental engineer and once volunteered in Nepal on an agro-engineering project, while the other previously co-founded an air purifier robotics company. Deel was founded as a fully remote company, which significantly reduces individual carbon footprints—studies show remote work can lower carbon emissions by over 50%, primarily through reduced office energy use and commuting. As Deel moves toward becoming a public company, it plans to start measuring and disclosing its carbon footprint as a crucial first step.