Virtual human resources – as a concept, what is it, and what are some examples of it? This futuristic way of managing personnel is growing rapidly. You may have even engaged in virtual HR yourself recently without even knowing it. To learn more about this sign of the times in today’s workplace, read on.
Virtual HR: The Basics
First, let’s take a look at the basics of what virtual HR really is. Virtual HR is the virtual, or electronic utilization and application of otherwise typical and human-handled human resources functions. The HR department at any business can really become overloaded with tasks – new hiring processes, vacation requests, tax status management, the printing of requested documents, benefit package management, job training, and much more. By way of today’s computer technology, HR departments can thus relegate many of these tasks to automated, computerized systems – virtual HR.
Common Examples
So, what are some examples of commonly used virtual HR today? We can start with payroll management software. This software has the capability of managing entire payrolls. This includes calculating wages earned based on hours, overtime, and other factors, the application of appropriate taxes and other deductions, and even the creation of checks or the transmission of funds from the employer’s bank account to that of the employee. This is all done virtually as opposed to via traditional, human methods of the past.
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Virtually, HR departments can also track attendance and record information with regard to that attendance. Instead of a human handling this HR responsibility, software can now handle the matter quite thoroughly. Some virtual attendance programs are additionally connected to physical check-in and check-out tracking elements at the actual workplace.
Online and on-site, computerized, new-hire application methods are another virtual HR tool. This digitally manages the application process of new employees. At one time this was new and revolutionary. Now, it can be tough to find a business that does not utilize this basic form of virtual HR.
Finally, the all-in-one HR management program is a much-beloved and highly efficient representation of virtual HR’s state today. Here, employees and employers alike can each associate with one another by way of a single program or website. No matter how large or small the request, such a forum allows any party to privately manage all HR concerns in one place. Some binding actions are able to be handled by the program directly while others are relayed by the program to the appropriate party for additional follow-up actions. The most popular and efficient of these programs are those that allow access from any location and at any time.
Upsides, Downsides, Future
A logical next query about such virtual methods is that of the upsides, downsides, and future. The admitted downside to this type of approach is its less than personal approach. These programs are actually very personal on an electronic level, but not so much for those looking for more human-to-human interaction.
This interaction, however, does not seem to be as important to most as the ability to simply facilitate an HR action or communication quickly and efficiently. This is what the virtual world of HR is all about. This is also why such virtual methods are rapidly expanding to more businesses every day, and we can expect them to be a central part of the workplace dynamic for the indefinite future.
The management of HR matters is important for both employees and their employers. Virtual HR is the modern tool that is streamlining this exact need. These are the basics of virtual human resources today as well as the continued importance we can expect it to encompass in the future.
