19/05/2020
All You Need to Know About Paying Filipino Virtual Assistants and Work from home Call Center Agents
Keys for a Successful Affiliate Virtual Assistants and Work from home Call Center Agents add value to your company.
These professionals secure your company’s progress, so they count on you to provide them with the same security towards their career.
Know what that means? Making sure their fees are met and their salaries are remitted on time.
We know what you’re asking, and we have the answers.
We pulled the figures from our own database backed by case studies and recorded information we acquired throughout the years of providing virtual assistants for our clients.
“How much should I pay my VA?”
The answer is: proper.
Our clients pay an hourly rate of as low as $7.00 to $10.00 for an entry and mid level. It is a reasonable rate that works both for you and your virtual assistant.
Of course there are full-time contracted staff that are paid more, since they are at the expert level. These rates can reach a good $12.00 to $17.33 an hour.
Also, you have to consider what type of virtual assistant you need to hire as VA can be categorized according to their skill sets and technical knowledge.
Again, you’re both getting the good ends of the deal. The skills they bring in get things done, while they are content with the compensation they get.
If you’re wondering whether or not you can bargain with your VA regarding salary, the answer is that you can try.
Some VAs agree to it, although to be clear, it isn’t one of the options we offer. Speak with your VA clearly and before the agreement is sealed. This way, you are both setting your expectations, sure that both of you will meet them.
The number one not to do in such bargains is to lower the rate to the point where the VA loses all interest in the venture. With regard to that, the number one to do in bargaining and compensating your staff is meeting what you feel the true value of your VA is.
“When should I pay my VA?”
It depends.
In the Philippines, paydays are commonly during the 15th and the 30th of the month and some employers/clients pay them on a weekly basis. Your virtual assistant will appreciate it if you follow this schedule. However, when to pay your virtual assistant still depends on the duration of the project or what you think fits.
Some employers hire project-based VAs, so they pay after the project is accomplished–simple enough. Some choose to pay their VAs at the end of every month or following the payday of their in-house staff. Basically, employers still choose when it is most convenient to remit their VAs’ salaries.
Still, some employers seek for the services of outsourcing companies to recruit for them, as well as support the management of their staff. These employers follow the payment plans of outsourcing companies, if such schemes are present.
When to pay your VA depends, again, on the schedule you want or your VA’s normal payday. It can also follow the payment plan of your partner outsource company’s.
But ultimately, there’s a simpler answer. It depends on which best suits your setup–easy enough.
“What method should I choose in paying my VA?”
You can be the employer who remits your VAs’ salaries to their personal bank accounts. This way, either your company or your VAs don’t have to create an account for receiving their salaries.
Or you can be the employer of a VA who creates an account especially for salary remittances. Filipino VAs usually choose transferwise,worldremit and PayPal which you may check out in preparation for hiring a VA.
If you can’t be either of the above, then maybe you can be the employer who follows an outsourcing company’s payment scheme. Usually, they give you methods to choose from, such as credit card, bank account, or PayPal. In other words, how you pay your VA depends on you.
Our clients are part of the third option above.
They are given the liberty to choose their payment methods and schemes, from our choices. If they do so choose to pay via credit card or NAB, we’re alright with it.
And when comes the time to pay, either weekly or every 15 and 30th of the month, we inform our clients via invoices sent to their accounts. It is a teamwork to managing their VAs’ payroll.
“Last question: Do I Have to Pay Bonuses?”
No. But like all payment concerns, it depends on you.
Granting bonuses and Commissions is completely your discretion, so you are not crossing any line by choosing not to. You may be the employer, however, whose VA performs exceptionally.
It isn’t far-fetched, as the Philippines is home to talented and dedicated professionals who will get things done for you. If you are one such employer, then it may not hurt to grant your VA a salary bonus.
It is for keeping your VA happy and performing well–and a staff that performs well reels in progress and profits.
So what do you think? Which scheme best works for you?
Final thoughts
Home-based Filipino virtual assistants are becoming more in-demand as global working becomes more competitive. Hiring them can be challenging if you have limited knowledge of how the industry works and have no idea of how to utilize your budget.
Yes, low rates can save you a lot but outsourcing staff should be more of a business strategy rather than a simple cost-cutting method.
Virtual assistant fees should improve as they grow with the company so budget-setting or rather your whole business plan should be versatile to handle such changes in the long run.
