BENEFITS:

Very simply, hiring a virtual assistant is convenient and saves you money. Compare utilizing a virtual assistant with hiring an employee. Employees, shall we say, are complicated. The real cost of an employee is 2 to 2 ½ times their salary. If you hire an employee, you have to:

• Pay Employer Social Security Taxes
• Collect and Pay FICA Taxes
• Pay Worker's Compensation Insurance
• Pay Federal and State Unemployment Taxes
• Comply with OSHA
• Comply with the Federal Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) including Minimum Wage and Overtime Payment
• Comply with Employee Retirement Income Security Act (ERISA)
• Possibly pay medical benefits, dental benefits, vision care benefits
• Possibly pay vacation time, sick time and holiday time
• Possibly pay for other employee benefits such as 401K, retirement plans
• Pay someone to administrate the above

In addition you have legal responsibilities that include employee policies on working hours, sexual harassment, vacation time, sick time, leave of absence, holidays, benefits, performance reviews, grievances, terminations, substance abuse and training.

Also, if you hire someone and lay them off, your unemployment rate may increase for years to come. If you have the unpleasant experience of needing to fire an employee, make sure you have legal grounds or you may face a lawsuit. In contrast, hiring a virtual assistant is simple.

• No extra office space is required
• No extra rent
• No need to buy an extra desk, chair, phone or supplies
• No need to buy additional computer equipment or fax machine
• No computer training needed
• No time wasted on breaks or personal issues
• You only pay for "Time on Task" or by project
• A VA is an Independent Contractor - no employee complications
• Works only when you need services
• Convenient when your current staff gets overloaded
• Frees up your time to focus on more important matters
• Handles your seasonal or periodic projects
• Is a sounding board if you need one
• Helps you stay on track and on schedule

A virtual assistant knows the value of the opportunity of working with you. They have dreamed of being in business for themselves. Many of them work from home which they treasure. For these reasons, they will work very hard, be loyal, dedicated and prove to be a great resource.