My timezone post got some heat.
Many a Virtual Assistant from the Philippines said: “We do overnight work successfully. You’re WRONG.”
You’re right.
But you’re also proving my point.
The Philippines has an entire BPO industry built on working overnight.
Nurses work night shifts. Doctors work graveyard. It happens. It works.
But here’s what those examples have in common:
They get PAID for it. I did a 6pm-6am weekend shift once. Got paid a small fortune for doing so.
Night shift differential exists for a reason.
BPO companies don’t just throw people into US hours and hope for the best.
They pay MORE for those shifts.
They build infrastructure: 24-hour food services, transportation, healthcare, community.
They recognize working opposite your circadian rhythm is HARD and compensate accordingly.
Here’s the real issue I see for business owners in the USA:
The clients getting burned aren’t paying premium rates for timezone flexibility.
They’re trying to get US-hour coverage at rock-bottom prices.
They want someone to work 9-5 EST for $800/month.
No night differential. No graveyard premium. No support.
Just “Can you work US hours?” → “Yes” → Hired at the cheapest rate.
That’s the setup that fails.
“Burnouts don’t happen because of graveyard shifts. They happen when you DON’T give them graveyard pay.”
Exactly.
You want someone available at 2am their time?
You want them on Slack at 11pm when they should be sleeping?
Fine.
Pay them for it.
Pay them MORE than someone in a compatible timezone.
Here’s what happens:
Business owners see $1,000/month in Asia vs. $2,000/month in Europe.
They think: “Why pay 2x more?”
They hire cheaper.
Then shocked when it fails.
That Philippines worker SHOULD make more than the European worker if they are destroying themselves physically to do so. And working those hours is physically destroying yourself. There is no argument there.
But cheap business owners just see a lower number.
Hire at $1,000/month. Burns out in 3 months. Repeat 3-4 times per year. Constant recruiting. Lost momentum.
OR
Hire at $2,000/month in compatible timezone. They stay for years.
Which is actually cheaper?
Cheap, cheap, cheap. Cheap kills.
If you’re not willing to pay premium for a graveyard, hire from compatible timezones.
Stop trying to have it both ways.
To everyone who commented “I’ve done this successfully”:
I believe you.
But I’d bet you either:
- Got paid well for it
- Had infrastructure/support
- For every one of who who made it work, ten others burned out.
If you’re just trying to save money by hiring the cheapest person who’ll say “yes”?
You’ll keep cycling through people wondering why “nobody wants to work.”
If you’re a business owner who hears what I’m saying here and want to hire remote VAs/talent…
Go here to learn how HireUA consistently delivers A+ results for our clients:
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