Ethical outsourcing: what is it and why is it so important?

Outsourcing certain tasks and roles can be an amazing way for businesses to connect with the best talent for the job, and run a company efficiently from anywhere in the world—but it requires some due diligence. The nature of outsourcing will sadly encourage some people to cut corners or not treat outsourced talent with the same respect and fairness as their full-time employees. But doing so is lose-lose for both talent and brand, and that’s where the practice of ethical outsourcing comes into play.???

What is ethical outsourcing?

Put simply, ethical outsourcing is hiring outside talent or services while still adhering to a high standard of ethical conduct and regulations. This means that everyone you hire - whether that’s internal or external - gets access to the same rights, privileges and dignity. These might include things like safe working conditions, labor rights, fair compensation, cultural or environmental sensitivity, and legal compliance.???

What are the benefits of ethical outsourcing?

The benefits of ethical outsourcing for talent are pretty clear: they’re treated more fairly, have a greater sense of job security, and are better able to progress in their careers. But it’s not just workers who benefit from more ethical approaches to outsourcing. The companies themselves typically see an enhanced brand reputation, higher levels of productivity and work quality, more innovation and creativity, improved company culture and better financial results.???

Alongside the positives, companies will also avoid a host of negative issues presented by unethical outsourcing, such as worker exploitation and legal and compliance complaints. Both of these can be hugely expensive to solve, but perhaps still not as detrimental or everlasting as the brand damage that comes with them.??

Ways you can implement ethical outsourcing in your workplace?

So, how do you begin to implement ethical outsourcing? The below list outlines some sure-fire ways to make sure you’re doing it right:

• Do background checks on any outsourcing partners you work with to ensure they’re following the correct legal and ethical procedures.?
• Communicate clearly with any outsourced talent to make sure both parties are happy with the partnership and ways of working.
• Implement fair labor practices. This means fair pay, safe working conditions, opportunities for career advancement, and sensible working hours.?
• Encourage diversity and inclusion. Your outsourcing is only as ethical as your company’s beliefs and culture. Make sure these are consistently open-minded, consistent, and compassionate.?

At Remotify , we work with companies and individuals to make outsourcing as ethical, successful and positive as it can be. We believe the best talent and connections take place all over the world, but you need the right tools, people and services to make that happen. That’s where we come in. Want to find out more about how we do it? Book a call with a member of our friendly team today!