What is a mobile employee

A mobile employee is a worker that is not bound by a central physical location but works with the rest of their team through various types of mobile devices and technology. 

The rise of mobile workers is due to technological advances, making it easier to work remotely and collaborate with colleagues and customers from anywhere in the world.

What is a mobile workforce?

A mobile workforce describes a segment of the labor force with location independence. Mobile workers can operate from different places using technology to execute their roles and connect with colleagues and clients. Mobile employees are a part of the mobile workforce.

Since the pandemic, the remote workforce has grown. This rise has contributed to the developing of more collaborative mobile technology and software like smartphones, laptops, cloud computing, and mobile apps. As a result, mobile employees can operate from anywhere and no longer rely on on-site equipment.

Benefits of mobile employees

There are several benefits to companies that operate with mobile employees. The benefits are as follows:

Access to global talent

Hiring mobile employees means companies aren’t restricted to hiring talent from a specific area (or country). Instead, the global talent pool becomes available, and businesses can employ highly skilled and specialized workers worldwide. 

International hiring offers its own unique benefits, such as nurturing diversity, improving innovation, and remaining competitive. 

Improved customer experience

Mobile employees improve the customer experience in various ways. A mobile workforce allows businesses to provide flexible, efficient, and personalized customer service outside traditional office hours and settings, leading to better customer experiences and increased customer loyalty. 

As mobile employees can relocate as needed, they can relocate closer to a particular market, offering unique insights into the local market and recognizing emerging trends to improve offerings. 

Mobile team members offer real-time customer communication through various channels by being closer to customers and sharing a time zone with clientele, allowing for personalized support. 

With the option to deploy mobile employees, businesses can respond to changing customer needs, such as seasonal spikes.

Cost-efficiencies 

Mobile employees save the business money in the following ways:

• Reduced overhead costs associated with maintaining central, physical workspaces

• Cut costs on employee commuting allowances (while reducing their carbon footprint)

• Lowered recruitment costs since companies can relocate existing talent and hire in more affordable economies

• Improved efficiencies since remote working boosts productivity

• Greater workforce flexibility enables businesses to scale as needed, depending on the business needs, with fewer administrative overhead costs

Improved employee acquisition and retention 

By removing the pressure of a daily commute and the demand that employees work in a traditional office setting, mobile employees experience less stress and enjoy a better work-life balance. 

The knock-on effects are favorable, translating into higher productivity levels, better employee engagement, and fewer sick days. Overall, the employee experience is maximized.

Challenges to developing a mobile workforce

While mobile work comes with many advantages, there are also a few challenges companies must be aware of:

• Consider the use of personal devices, such as laptops and mobile phones, which could be vulnerable to cyberattacks
• Asset tracking is a priority to protect sensitive data
• Unclear policies may blur mobility guidelines and lead to miscommunication
• Effective global team management is essential for preventing isolation
• While technology is useful, human resources (HR) leaders must invest effort in training employees on how to use these tools

With the right mobile workforce management tools, companies can easily overcome these challenges. 

How do companies manage a mobile workforce?

Mobile workforce management software is a SaaS solution that helps organizations keep tabs on and manage mobile and remote workers.

Integrating a mobile workforce management solution, such as Deel HR, can enable companies to do the following: 

• Streamline virtual onboarding and background checks
• Provide visa and immigration support
• Monitor and optimize employee engagement and employee performance
• Manage global payroll and tax compliance
• Provide equipment, app provisioning, and workspaces
• Offer equity, benefits, and perks administration
• Ensure international compliance and localized contracts
• Automate HR workflows with integrations
• Provide 24/7 support for remote employees and contractors