Remote Work Realities for Nonprofits: What You Need to Know

The Nonprofit Show

As remote work settles into the nonprofit landscape, what does the future of flexible staffing really look like? Dana Scurlock, Director of Recruitment at Staffing Boutique, returns to unpack this pressing issue—and she doesn’t shy away from the complexity.

Dana brings clarity to the evolution of work-from-home (WFH) culture. Initially a crisis response, WFH has now become a defining workplace feature—but not without its complications. “There's that last 20% that is still kind of missing when I have every one of my staff working from home,” she notes, identifying a growing tension between productivity and presence. Her insight? A hybrid future, tailored to roles and individuals, is the most sustainable path.

“People realized how much work could actually be done from home—and how much they saved on commuting. But now the challenge is recapturing the good moments from the office without giving up the freedom we’ve gained.”

Dana highlights the value of defining expectations early in the recruitment process, especially in a labor market where job candidates expect flexibility—and employers risk losing top talent if they can't deliver. She shares how Staffing Boutique remains nimble in supporting nonprofit clients with both temporary and direct-hire roles, ensuring cultural fit, skills alignment, and strategic placement.

The conversation peers into overlooked topics: professionalism in Zoom culture, generational challenges in remote onboarding, and the need for virtual branding consistency. Dana encourages nonprofits to take remote work as seriously as in-office dynamics: “Maybe as an organization, everybody has the same background… there’s no reason branding can’t extend to Zoom.”

Dana’s expertise shines in offering practical solutions: shared in-office days for hybrid teams, clear time zone and availability protocols, and setting up accountability systems before remote work begins. And she makes a compelling case for investing in younger or less experienced hires who may lack foundational office experience.

Dana leaves us with a new lens on what it means to manage talent, connection, and output in a decentralized world. If your nonprofit is still navigating remote staffing, this is the conversation you didn’t know you needed.

00:00:00 Welcome and guest intro

00:02:00 What Staffing Boutique does for nonprofits

00:04:30 Nonprofit-specific recruiting: temp vs. permanent

00:06:45 Hiring in a crisis vs. planning ahead

00:08:00 How WFH reshaped staffing needs

00:10:20 The missing 20% of productivity

00:12:30 Why hybrid might be the best compromise

00:14:30 Who thrives in remote work—and who struggles

00:18:00 Structuring roles for remote success

00:20:00 Zoom professionalism and expectations

00:23:00 Branding consistency in remote meetings

00:26:45 Final tips for managing remote teams

#NonprofitWorkforce #RemoteManagement #HybridStaffing

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