1. The Rise of the Virtual Workforce and the New Roles of HR
Professionals
Posted on February 13, 2012 by Maya Pillai
Massive geographic expansion and the need for specific professional skills and competencies
have driven many organizations to develop virtual teams that are spread across the world. Virtual
teams can be a group of people working for you in various locations or a single person working
flexi time from his/her home office. Managing virtual teams is easier said than done. Here we
take a look at how the rise of the virtual work force is cost effective and how the roles of the HR
professional have evolved to blend and complement with the ever changing workforce trends.
Are Virtual Workforces Cost Effective?
You must understand that virtual teams and virtual workforces are not a novel idea. It has been
there for some time, but recently, it has been accepted by many organizations. Virtual employees
are those people who work from remote locations. These people are either telecommuters,
outsourcers, contractors, business partners or work on-site. Forrester Research conducted a
survey in the US and China in 2009 showing that the virtual workforce will increase from 44%
in 2009 to 73% in 2012. The report also reveals that a number of US virtual workers will
© 2012 Apptivo Inc. All rights reserved.

2. increase from 39 million in 2009 to 63 million in 2016. Some of the reasons why virtual
workforces are cost effective are listed below.
Reduction in office facility and travel costs – Many organizations are opting for a
virtual workforce or remote employees because they do not have to pay for office space
and the expenses associated with it. The employees either work from home or have the
option of coming into the office once in a while. Thanks to cloud computing and online
collaboration, travel expenses are also reduced. People have become more tech-friendly
and prefer video or teleconferencing than reporting physically.
Improved productivity- Due to the absence of the office grapevine and
micromanagement, the productivity of an employee increases. When the employee is
working from home, from a coffee shop or any location that pleases his mood, he will put
in his best work. Also remember, he may not have to commute to his office every day, so
he is likely to put in more hours.
There is work-life balance and job satisfaction – Employees are satisfied because they
get the opportunity to work flexi hours, allowing them to spend more time with their
family. When you are able to strike a balance between personal and office life, the
productivity increases as well as work satisfaction.
Reduces turnaround rates – Worker retention is one of the top priorities for HR today.
If you can cut down the turnaround rate, you are actually saving a lot in recruitment,
induction and training. When employees are given an opportunity to work in a virtual
location, they put in their best performance. Not only will they be reluctant to move away
from their current position, they are given the chance to work in their own comfort zone.
© 2012 Apptivo Inc. All rights reserved.

3. How HR Professionals can Support Virtual Teams
With the increase in virtual teams, the role of the HR managers is given a new dimension. The
traditional way of HR functioning is giving way to more complex and compassionate roles. The
HR department has to put together policies and procedures for virtual workers, providing
opportunities for e-learning and also enlighten the virtual leaders on cross-cultural functionalities
and providing training on leadership styles. Last but not least, the HR department has to be their
voice in the organization. Let’s take a look at the new roles of HR professionals.
Selection of virtual team and building teamwork- As a HR professional, one has to
actively participate in the selection process of virtual team members. It is important to
hire the right people and avoid hiring someone who is not focused on work in a normal
work environment. It is also advisable not to include anyone who needs to be
micromanaged. Hire someone who is more experienced working in a virtual
environment. But remember, this comes at a cost higher than an inexperienced one.
Building a virtual team is not an easy task. As you do in the office environment, you
should hold individual conversations and provide feedback. If team members are spread
in various locations with different time zones, then you should hold a video conference at
least once a week. Here is the chance for team members to hear what other members are
doing. Members would feel that they are a part of a group. With team building come new
solutions and suggestions, team members will start to work directly together which in
turn will show an improving output.
Maintain a schedule – There has to be a certain level of predictability. Therefore, you
need to organize your communication schedules to accommodate different time zones.
Once you have established a routine for communication, stick to it. Introducing a
calendar with a list of holidays will enable the virtual workforce to plan around holidays
accordingly.
Do not hesitate to exploit the technology – Virtual workforce is a growing trend and it
is here to stay. Therefore, make use of the technology to support your virtual team. This
© 2012 Apptivo Inc. All rights reserved.

4. includes collaborative software, shared directories, audio and video conferencing and so
on.
Recognize cultural gulf whenever they are manifested – You need to be sensitive to
cultural differences. You must understand that the style of working will be different for
people from different cultures. If working in HR, you should have an understanding
about the gestures and behavior of the people of a particular region you are handling.
Communicate frequently – You need to be proactive and the lines of communication
should be widely open at all times. Don’t replace conversations with written instructions.
There are times when instructions in an email can be misinterpreted. If such an issue ever
arises, pick up the phone and talk to the concerned team member directly.
In conclusion, you should connect with the virtual team. When you are in an office, you will pick
up small gifts and mementos for special occasions or festivities for your colleagues. Similarly,
you can use snail mail to send gifts to your virtual team members who will feel appreciated and
well-cared for. Ensure to include incentives, a reward system or promotional salary increase will
make them feel like they are a part of the company team.
It is the role of the HR professional to hold the virtual team together through innovative and
creative thinking.
© 2012 Apptivo Inc. All rights reserved.