HR (Human Resources) is critical to maintaining employee satisfaction within a company. Back in the day, employees had to walk the length of an office floor or change floors a couple of times to contact HR for complaints and solutions. Today, the rising popularity of remote work makes it imperative for companies to invest in virtual HR to ensure their workforce's continued satisfaction.
Virtual HR meaning and definition
Virtual HR is the modern take on in-house (conventional) HR departments. It connects employees with the resources, services, solutions, and assurances they require via technology. In other words, employees are encouraged to share issues using technological tools rather than scheduling appointments and having face-to-face discussions. In many cases, this involves the use of self-service platforms.
What is the difference between virtual HR and in-house HR?
The primary difference between the two concepts is the location of the HR team. The latter implies that HR has an accessible office where company employees can reach them. On the other hand, the former involves remote access with the HR team. Besides the location of the team, the mode of communication of employees with HR doesn't change drastically. Sure, there would be no scheduling of meetings, but communication via email/instant messaging services would proceed as usual.
What are the advantages of virtual HR?
Quick resolution of issues: employees can share problems/issues immediately they come up and receive the solutions just as quickly without leaving their desks or changing floors.
Increased productivity: Lingering employee issues lead to distractions and unsatisfied employees. The ease and quickness with which virtual HR allows the sharing and resolution of problems mean that employees stay dissatisfied for shorter times and are freed up to focus on being their best selves.
What are the disadvantages of virtual HR?
Security breaches: sharing employee and company information online leaves a company open to data hacks. Most companies have IT departments to protect against these hacks, but they still happen occasionally.
Lack of connection: this is primarily an issue when vital decisions such as promotions and terminations are to be made. Sharing such news in face-to-face meetings involves connectivity that virtual HR teams cannot recreate no matter how hard they try. As such, the impersonal nature of virtual HR can leave team members and employees feeling disconnected from the higher-ups in a company.
