AdminLove it or hate it, HR is here to stay, and it’s still one of the most important departments for any business.
But there’s a new revolution coming into the HR department. Now that we’re in the digital age, you need to know about virtual HR.
This refers to connecting employees to your HR department via a digital infrastructure.
So what exactly is virtual HR, and how do you adapt to it for your workplace?
Here’s what you should know about virtual HR services.
What You’ll Get With Virtual HR Services
With virtual HR services, employees will communicate directly with an HR account manager online.
This is a lot more convenient than scheduling an appointment with an in-person HR manager, for instance.
Let’s presume one employee has to file a complaint against another employee. This is, obviously, an uncomfortable situation that one wants to handle anonymously.
What happens if you work in a small office? How do you file a complaint without everyone else finding out? Is it even possible to be discreet in such a scenario?
It’s much easier to do this virtually. This is just one of the few advantages of online HR services.
Another benefit is that you’ll get HR on demand. You can reach out to your virtual HR assistant 24/7.
You can check out these Phoenix, AZ HR Services to learn more about how a virtual HR assistant can help your workplace.
“Virtual HR?”
You can expect to see a few raised eyebrows when you introduce virtual HR to your workplace.
Since the pandemic, many jobs went remote out of necessity. But since we’ve opened up again, many have wondered whether working remotely allows for productivity.
Can you really allow everything to be 100% virtual for something as crucial as HR services?
It’s possible, and it’s now a necessity. This is especially important for any employee who works remotely.
Virtual workplaces often seem impersonal. It also makes it easier for issues to be swept under the rug – away from the watchful eye of the management team.
As remote work becomes more popular, you must allow these services for your workplace.
How to Succeed With Online HR
So you’ve decided to make the switch to online HR services? Before you do, you want to ensure you’ll succeed with this exciting but challenging transition.
Communication Protocols
The first step is to set up a variety of communication protocols. Employees will have different levels of comfort with different modes of communication.
You have to start by creating a dedicated email address. This should be for general HR inquiries.
You can also consider creating a separate email address for serious issues such as complaints.
Other communication protocols can include the following:
- Slack groups or channels
- Phone messaging apps (Telegram, Signal, etc.)
- Online help desks and forums
- VoIP apps (Zoom, Skype, etc.)
Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs)
The next step is to prepare SOPs for your team to understand. Your employees, old and new, must understand and agree to these SOPs before resuming their work.
Your SOPs should be outlined in a detailed instruction manual. Make sure this manual is saved as a PDF.
Make it available through an online reader. Uploading it to Google Drive is often the simplest way. Your employees should also be able to download it for offline reading.
You should also make short videos discussing some of the key points of your SOPs. These videos can discuss the following:
- How to use HR on-demand services
- How to file complaints
- Saving files
- Ensuring data security
- Code of Conduct for Remote Work
You’ll also have to update your SOPs on occasion. Revise them at least once per quarter to see if updates are needed.
Your Employees as Customers
One of the major changes in HR has been the “people ops” approach. This approach treats your employees as if they were your customers.
In other words, you’ll offer customer service to your employees. This is an important aspect of virtual HR services.
While this service existed before virtual HR, it’s now much easier, thanks to it! Virtual HR services make it easier to organize employee information and directly communicate with them.
Your virtual HR assistants will keep in touch with employees. They’ll reach out once in a while to gather feedback from them.
For example, they’ll ask them if they’re satisfied with their work. They’ll ask your employees if they feel comfortable with their colleagues.
This information will be stored in a database. Your HR team can use this to enhance and improve the workplace experience for your team.
Online HR can also help with other services regarding your employees. For example, you can use it for virtual recruitment.
Virtual HR assistants will collect resumes and can help arrange interviews. They can also play a vital part in onboarding new employees.
Why Make the Switch to Virtual HR
Still not convinced? Let’s make some final quick arguments on why now’s the time to switch to virtual HR services.
It’s often less expensive as you’ll be able to delegate tasks. For example, virtual HR services can handle payroll. You won’t have to hire a payroll manager for this task.
Virtual HR assistants also work via their own computers and services. They’ll be responsible for their work setup, so it’s less stressful from your end.
Making the switch to virtual HR is going to make one of the biggest impacts on your workplace. Now’s the best time to get started!
Start With Virtual HR
Now you know how much of a game-changer virtual HR is and can use it for your business.
It’s one of the best ways for employees to connect directly with HR professionals. It helps facilitate many business processes, from conflict management to virtual recruitment.
It’s especially crucial for a remote workplace. You’ll also find that it’s a lot more efficient than traditional HR departments. This is how your company will stand out.
Ready to use virtual HR? Make sure you check out our other business tips as well!
