In 2024, a year marked by the massive return to offices, many large tech companies are following the example of giants like Amazon and Dell, who have decided to abandon or restrict their remote work policies in favor of a hybrid or fully in-office workday.
After the pandemic, it was believed that remote work had come to stay, but it seems the labor landscape is experiencing a regression, especially in large companies that seek to restore in-person work dynamics. However, amidst this trend of returning to the office, one company has achieved a noteworthy milestone: Deel.
Deel is a fintech company founded in 2019 by French entrepreneur Alex Bouaziz, specializing in managing remote employee recruitment and payroll. From the beginning, Deel has bet on a fully remote work model, not only as a business feature but as an internal philosophy that has allowed it to thrive.
In this ITD Consulting article, we will explore how Deel has managed to become one of the most innovative companies of the last decade, keeping 4,500 employees working 100% remotely in more than 104 countries.
Who is Deel?
Deel was born as a solution for companies that wanted to hire global talent without worrying about the legal, fiscal, and administrative complications that often accompany hiring employees in different countries. Through its platform, Deel allows companies to manage the entire recruitment process, payroll, compliance with labor regulations, and tax management efficiently and simplified, all without the need for employees at a physical office.
Deel started as a startup within the fintech sector, and since its foundation, it has grown rapidly thanks to the adoption of its business model by companies around the world that need to manage distributed teams.
Deel has attracted support from key investors such as Andreessen Horowitz and Y Combinator, a startup incubator that has produced a large number of successful companies, including some of the world's largest tech companies.
What makes Deel unique is not only its business of intermediary services for companies hiring remote workers, but also the fact that the company itself operates entirely remotely, something rare even within the most innovative tech companies.
Instead of forcing its team to work from an office, Deel has managed to make remote work its structural and operational model, an approach that has turned it into a benchmark for those who advocate the viability and benefits of remote work.
The Challenge of Maintaining 100% Remote Work: A Case Study
As remote work has become established in many industries, several companies have opted for hybrid models, combining remote work with physical presence in the office. The hybrid model, which seemed to be the ideal solution after the pandemic, has been chosen by companies such as Amazon, Google, and Meta, who have required their employees to return to the office after allowing them to work from home during the peaks of the pandemic.
However, Deel has decided to keep its global team completely distributed and remote, a bet that may have seemed risky at first, but has proven to be an effective model. Deel's founder, Alex Bouaziz, has stated in several interviews that this decision is one of the main reasons for the company's success.
Through its platform, Deel manages more than $11 billion in remote employee payments, distributed in more than 100 different currencies. Deel not only facilitates remote work for its clients, but also serves as an example that this work model is not only viable, but also more efficient and profitable in many cases.
A Truly Global Company
With over 4,500 employees spread across the world, Deel has built a global workforce structure that challenges the conventions of traditional corporate work. Despite not having a central headquarters, Deel is present in more than 104 countries, allowing it to access a wide variety of markets and international talent.
This global distribution also makes it easier for Deel's teams to work more closely and efficiently with clients in different time zones, improving customer service and payment operations.
Geographical flexibility is a key aspect of Deel's value proposition. Thanks to its fully remote model, Deel is able to access a much more diverse talent pool than a company limited to a physical office would.
Unlike other large companies that require employees to relocate to work in an office, Deel can hire people from anywhere in the world, regardless of their geographic location.
This Deel model not only offers a competitive advantage by allowing it to access talent from more markets, but also enables the company to attract digital nomads—workers who seek total work flexibility and the opportunity to work from anywhere in the world.
Advantages of Deel's Remote Model for Employees
Deel's remote model has been a success, not only for the company but also for its employees. According to reviews published on Glassdoor, 91% of current employees would recommend working at Deel. The company has achieved a rating of 4.6 out of 5, an impressive score that reflects the satisfaction of its team.
Among the main reasons for satisfaction, Deel employees highlight the flexibility in working hours and the ability to work from anywhere, making the company an attractive place for those seeking a better work-life balance. Furthermore, Deel has been able to create a strong organizational culture without the need for employees to be physically in the same place.
Autonomy and trust are fundamental in Deel's work structure, which allows employees to feel empowered and productive, while offering an inclusive and diverse environment.
Global Hiring: Talent Without Borders
One of the key advantages of Deel's model is its focus on global hiring, which allows the company to access talent that would otherwise be inaccessible if it had a physical office. This not only broadens the pool of potential employees but also enables Deel to serve clients more locally and directly, as many of the people managing projects for clients in different countries come from those very countries. In this way, Deel has been able to eliminate time zone barriers, improving efficiency in management and customer service.
Another important advantage of the remote model is that, instead of being limited to a particular city or region, Deel has permanent remote job openings. As a result, anyone from anywhere in the world can apply, allowing Deel to find the best candidates without being restricted by geographical limitations. This makes Deel a global employer, appealing to digital nomads and people who value the ability to work from anywhere in the world.
Challenges and Opportunities of Remote Work
Deel's remote work model is not without its challenges. While Deel has built an infrastructure that allows for distributed work on a large scale, companies adopting this model must overcome several obstacles.
One of the biggest challenges is coordinating teams in different time zones. However, Deel has addressed this challenge by using advanced digital tools for project management and real-time communication, enabling teams to work smoothly and efficiently.
In addition, the company has learned to manage corporate culture in a distributed environment, ensuring that all employees feel included and valued despite the lack of daily physical interaction. Deel organizes virtual meetups, online integration activities, and ensures constant communication between team members to keep the corporate spirit alive, even from a distance.
The Future of Work: Deel as a Model to Follow
Deel's experience demonstrates that remote work is not only a viable option but also a successful business model. In a context where many large companies are opting to return to offices, Deel continues to prove that remote work can be a more efficient, cost-effective, and attractive option for both employees and employers.
While the return to the office may have its benefits, Deel's story reminds us that work flexibility and autonomy can be much more than a trend—they can be the key to attracting the best talent and ultimately building a successful global business.
As the global labor market continues to evolve, companies like Deel are leading the way towards a more inclusive and dynamic work model that challenges traditional labor structures. Instead of being tied to a specific physical location, companies are adopting more flexible and open approaches, driven by the need to adapt to an increasingly globalized business environment.
Deel has shown that remote work is not only possible but can be a key strategic advantage for companies looking to access the best talent without geographical limitations. This model not only offers organizations greater operational agility but also fosters a more diverse and inclusive culture by leveraging the perspectives and skills of people from different cultures and backgrounds.
The concept of a world without physical borders in the workplace is gaining ground as communication and collaboration technologies continue to advance. Current digital tools allow distributed teams to work as efficiently as if they were under the same roof, overcoming distance and time barriers.
Deel has pioneered how companies can operate effectively without the need for a central headquarters, allowing its employees to work from anywhere in the world. This model not only meets the demands of the modern employee who values flexibility, but also represents a paradigm shift in how we think about productivity and employee engagement.
The flexibility offered by remote work models, such as Deel’s, is changing the very nature of labor relations. It is no longer necessary to be physically present in a place to be productive or to be part of a solid organizational culture. Employees now have the opportunity to organize their schedules and better balance their personal and professional lives.
This autonomy contributes to greater satisfaction and retention of talent, which can, in turn, improve overall company productivity. Companies that do not adapt to this new reality could fall behind, missing the opportunity to hire high-quality employees who seek a more balanced and flexible lifestyle without the constraints of a traditional office workday.
Looking towards the future, it is clear that remote work is not a passing trend but a permanent evolution of the labor market. Deel, along with other companies adopting similar models, is redefining what it means to be a global employer in the 21st century.
As more organizations recognize the advantages of operating with distributed teams, the concept of work without physical borders will become more common. This approach not only facilitates access to global talent but also helps companies adapt quickly to unforeseen changes, as seen during the pandemic, demonstrating that work flexibility is a long-term investment in business growth and sustainability.
If you would like to learn more about Deel's work model and how to properly manage your remote operations, write to us at [email protected]. We have tailored solutions to meet your needs for optimizing remote work.
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