Virtual HR

What Is Virtual Human Resources?

Virtual human resources (also known as virtual HR) is the process of connecting employees to a range of technologies and HR services when they need them. This allows employees to go straight to resources through a self-service platform, rather than always going through an onsite HR representative.

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What’s the Difference Between In-House HR Management and Virtual HR?

Depending on the organization, one system may work better than the other. Common distinctions between in-house and virtual HR management include:

HR Team Location

The main difference between onsite and virtual HR is where your HR team resides. In-house HR professionals usually have their own office space. Virtual HR teams telecommute to their companies.


In-house teams typically work in their company’s headquarters or a branch office. Virtual HR professionals can work from the comfort of their own homes, their favorite local coffee shop, or anywhere with a reliable internet connection. A remote-friendly environment can give teams more autonomy to decide where and when they’ll work best.

Communication Style

The location of HR departments influences how employees interact with them. While emailing is an option for both in-house and virtual teams, in-house teams can communicate with employees face-to-face.

Virtual HR teams can maintain open communication with employees in many ways—even if they're distributed across the country or the globe. Whether it’s through instant messaging programs like Slack, video calls through Zoom, or virtual office hours, remote HR professionals can easily address employee questions about payroll, benefits, and more.

Availability of HR Resources

In-house HR resources are only available during their operating hours, which can fluctuate. Meanwhile, virtual HR resources are available 24/7 through the organization's HR software. This complements remote HR professionals who likely have specific office hours, as well.

Flexible options for team locations, communication methods, and access to HR resources can improve employee satisfaction and foster a more self-sufficient company culture. By offering employee self-service, you can lighten the load for your HR teams while empowering your employees and managers to monitor their time off, access reports, and more.

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Can HR Work Remotely?

The COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing work-from-home trends have spearheaded the rise of remote HR jobs. Since the amount of job postings offering the ability to work remotely has doubled after the pandemic, it stands to reason that employers building remote teams need remote HR leaders to source and onboard new hires.

HR software and communication applications like Zoom and Slack make it convenient for remote recruiters to onboard new employees and support current workers. Plus, their position as a telecommuter allows them to relate to your remote workforce in meaningful ways.

Why Is HR Technology Important?

HR technology is crucial for HR departments. New software and systems allow HR professionals to efficiently perform the following actions:

Without technology, HR professionals would have to rely on time-consuming manual processes for sorting through employee documents and insurance policies. Technology eases that burden, encouraging fewer errors and improved efficiency.

What Are the Advantages and Disadvantages of Virtual HR?

When managed properly, virtual HR services offer more advantages than disadvantages:

Advantages

Disadvantages

What Services are Offered by Virtual HR?

Companies using virtual HR can still enjoy the same services and features of an in-house HR team, such as:

Launching a virtual HR program is a win-win for your HR department and employees. By freeing HR professionals from manual and time-consuming tasks, they’re better able to focus on what matters most—supporting your people.

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