The workplace has changed dramatically in recent years, driven not only by advances in cloud-based technology but also by evolving employment rights, zero-hours contracts, and the rise of flexible working. To better understand these changes, Bay Tree VA sponsored a research project: Alebiosu, U., & Kore, J. (2025) A comparative study of outsourcing vs. traditional employment in support roles. The findings have been truly insightful. One area of the research was in relation to peoples’ perception of an outsourced workforce.
Workforce design within modern organisations is heavily shaped by senior leaders and business owners. Their perceptions, experiences, and cultural assumptions strongly influence whether outsourced or fractional support models are adopted. Traditionally, these leaders have favoured fulltime, traditional employees. This preference is reinforced by long-established employment norms and internal policies. Psychological contracts, such as the informal expectations of loyalty and a shared organisational identity, further strengthen assumptions that inhouse employees provide greater cohesion and reliability.
However, recent disruptions have started to challenge these long held assumptions. The pandemic forced rapid adoption of remote and hybrid working and digital transformation has further blurred the boundaries between internal and external contributors, as cloud-based tools enable seamless integration regardless of employment status. As evidence has accumulated showing positive outcomes from hybrid work, including improved satisfaction and stable productivity, scepticism has softened. Many leaders are now more open to fractional or outsourced support models, recognising their potential to increase flexibility and access to specialised skills.
The research provides evidence of growing adoption:
Despite this shift, some resistance factors remain deeply embedded in decision making including:
Bay Tree Team member, Angelica, works as an Executive Assistant with a portfolio of clients and responds to these resistance factors:
“Bay Tree takes the responsibility of online security very seriously by working within our client’s current framework as well as having our own Cyber Essentials accreditation. We make it our priority to keep up to date with technological advancements in an ever-changing environment.
Our relationship with clients differs from that of a traditional employee. We are typically engaged with a clear brief, whether for a specific project or defined support, and our productivity is transparently tracked through tools such as Harvest.
With so many teams now working remotely or in hybrid environments, we join meetings and collaborate just as any inhouse team member would. We bring our skillset to our clients in the most valuable way for them. One of the most rewarding aspects of our work is the opportunity to support a variety of people in any organisation and across many industries.
As a team, we are always working to improve our capability, continuing professional development, and applying this through the services we provide. Whether easing a heavy workload or covering for long-term absence, we provide reliable support and often a fresh perspective, which is welcomed.”
What reservations do you have in relation to outsourcing? Speak to Bay Tree VA, we can help you overcome your concerns and unlock the opportunity to add outsourcing to your resourcing strategy.
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