Your Double Is in the Building

For years, one of the reasons some have been shy about using remote contingent workers is the inability to connect with them visually.  How do you know the workers are actually working?  And how can you know their attitudes about the job without being able to see those facial cues we all rely upon?   

But as of today, there is a way around that problem, and I am not talking about high-speed travel. Welcome to your double.

The double telepresence robot provides a physical presence at work for those who can't be there in person, explain the makers of this technology. At Staffing Industry Analysts’ HQ, our just-acquired robot has been named Sam I Am (SIA... get it?) Our colleagues located in Europe and throughout the U.S. are able to log in and roam the halls to talk with/see those of us at our HQ, giving them an opportunity to be physically present at meetings, etc.

The robot is definitely a step in the right direction. Suddenly, the pool of people you could be engaging has just multiplied. Now, using remote workers becomes a very real option for both staffing firms and their clients as there is the opportunity for human contact that is vital to many positions.

Remote workers aside, employees can cut down their commuting time, being that much more productive. Reducing travel costs is another big benefit. There are employees that have used the “double” to attend trade shows which they may normally not have. All you need to do is log in to your laptop and drive.

A few years down the road, a staffing agency could send you a “double.”

Temp worker’s location: San Miguel De Allende, Mexico,

Staffing Firm Location:  Boulder, Colorado.

Client Site: San Jose, California.

Star Trek, anyone?