FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Recruitment & Hiring
The Philippines is one of the world’s top destinations for highly skilled independent contractors. With a 94% literacy rate and a strong emphasis on higher education, it ranks as the fourth largest English-speaking country globally. Each year, nearly 700,000 graduates enter the workforce – many with qualifications in business administration, marketing, communications, computer science, and programming.
Hiring offshore talent can be time-consuming and risky if you go it alone. Virtual Coworker removes the complexity by sourcing, pre-screening, and shortlisting only the most qualified independent contractors for your role. We conduct thorough reference and background checks, and handle ongoing payments, so you don’t have to worry about administrative headaches.
Beyond recruitment, you’ll have a dedicated Client Relationship Manager to oversee onboarding, check in regularly, and ensure your goals are met. Your Virtual Assistant will also have a Success Manager to guide and support them from their first day to their final offboarding call – ensuring both you and your contractor get the best possible working relationship from start to finish.
Behind the scenes, we have a specialised recruitment team whose sole focus is connecting you with the most qualified independent contractors in the Philippines. Every day, they are screening, vetting, and interviewing talented professionals to ensure we have a strong pipeline of ready-to-go candidates for our clients.
We tap into extensive resume databases, advertise strategically across multiple job sites, and actively headhunt top performers. From there, our recruiters complete detailed skill assessments, conduct reference and background checks, and personally interview each contractor before presenting them to you.
The result? You only meet contractors who are already proven to have the skills, experience, and professionalism you need. Once selected, your Virtual Assistant is supported by a dedicated Success Manager, while you work closely with your Client Relationship Manager to ensure onboarding runs smoothly, expectations are aligned, and the working relationship thrives from day one to offboarding.
With Virtual Coworker, you can contract out virtually any role that can be performed remotely. Our network of highly skilled independent contractors from the Philippines covers a wide range of expertise — from web and graphic design, software development, and quality testing, to bookkeeping, customer support, digital marketing, lead generation, and general virtual assistance.
Whether you need specialised technical skills or reliable day-to-day support, our specialised recruitment team finds contractors who can seamlessly integrate with your business and deliver results.
Our independent contractors are looking for longer-term opportunities where they can become a valuable extension of your team. We can offer roles for a minimum duration of one month, but most of our clients choose ongoing arrangements to get the most value from their contractor’s expertise and the strong working relationship that develops over time.
Your Virtual Assistant will align with your preferred time zone, so they’re working when you are. Full-time independent contractors work 8 hours per day, while part-time contractors work 4 hours per day.
All independent contractors are required to have a professional home office set-up. This includes a quiet, dedicated workspace (ideally a separate room), a reliable high-speed DSL internet connection, and a modern, up-to-date computer capable of handling their tasks efficiently.
In the Philippines, commute times can often stretch up to 2 hours each way. Working from home allows contractors to avoid this daily grind, start their shift fresh, and dedicate their energy fully to your business. It also supports better work-life balance — a factor that helps with productivity and long-term contractor retention.
We don’t supply a phone system, but there are many affordable and easy-to-set-up VoIP options available. If your role requires phone use, your Client Relationship Manager can recommend solutions that work best for your needs and help your contractor get set up quickly.
Billing & Invoicing
Your first invoice covers the remaining workdays of the month and must be paid before your Virtual Assistant begins. From the 1st of each month, you’ll be invoiced one month in advance, with adjustments made for any variations in hours worked during the previous month. Payments are processed automatically on the 5th of each month via your chosen method.
Because all Virtual Assistants are independent contractors, prompt payment ensures they are paid on time for the hours they’ve worked — keeping your working relationship running smoothly from day one.
Clients in Australia, New Zealand, and Asia are billed in Australian Dollars (AUD). Clients in the United States, Canada, United Kingdom, and all other regions are billed in US Dollars (USD).
We accept Visa, Mastercard, and American Express (minimal surcharge applies). Australian customers can also choose automatic direct debit for added convenience.
Because Virtual Assistants engaged through Virtual Coworker are independent contractors, you only pay for the hours they work. There’s no obligation to pay for sick leave or holidays, though you’re welcome to offer paid time off at your discretion.
You decide whether your Virtual Assistant works on public holidays. Many contractors are happy to work through Australian, US, or other local holidays if required, but may request leave on Philippine public holidays. Your Client Relationship Manager will help coordinate these arrangements so there are no surprises.
Managing Your Virtual Assistant
Treat your Virtual Assistant like any other valued team member – keep communication open, check in regularly, and share your business goals so they understand the bigger picture. Your Client Relationship Manager will be there to help you set clear expectations from the start, while your contractor’s Success Manager ensures they have the tools, resources, and support they need to deliver great results.
We recommend using simple, reliable online tools such as Google Drive, Google Meet, and Google Chat to keep collaboration seamless. Your Client Relationship Manager can also suggest additional platforms that fit your workflow. We will go through this with you in your onboarding call so it’s clear from day one.
Many of our clients measure performance using clear Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) that align with business goals. We can help you create KPIs that suit your role and keep both you and your contractor on track.
All Virtual Assistants are required to use our secure time-logging software. They log in at the start and out at the end of each shift, with automatic desktop screenshots captured every 10 minutes. You’ll receive a daily activity report, so you can see exactly how time is being spent.
Independent contractors engaged through Virtual Coworker are subject to our standard notice periods. During the initial six-month probationary period, you may end the contract with 7 days’ notice. After probation, 14 days’ notice is required. Your Client Relationship Manager will guide you through the offboarding process to make it smooth and professional.