Virtual reality is a technology that creates a simulated environment for users, offering an immersive experience that makes them feel present. Rather than viewing a screen, users can interact with the virtual world with tools like virtual reality headsets.
It is interesting to mention that virtual reality has diverse practical business applications, and the Human Resources field has one of the most promising prospects. In this article, you will learn how VR can positively impact HR tech in several ways.
Difference between Virtual Reality and Augmented Reality in HR Tech
Virtual reality(VR) and augmented reality(AR) present exciting prospects in several fields like gaming, e-commerce, marketing, Human resources, etc. These two technologies should not be confused with each other because they play diverse roles.
Virtual reality produces a simulation of a non-existent world with equipment like headsets, sensors, etc. VR, which enhances a fictional reality, is fully controlled by the system.
In comparison, Augmented reality is an improved version of the real world attained through sound, digital visual elements, etc, via devices like glasses, tablets, or smartphones.
An Overview of Virtual Reality in Human Resources
Virtual reality is one of the technologies gradually finding its way into diverse aspects of business. It has several practical business applications with promising benefits that can be leveraged, especially in Human resources.
Concerning an insightful study by PWC, VR-trained employees were about four times more focused during training than their classroom and e-learning peers. This suggests that the training is more productive when employees are immersed in a VR experience. They are often less distracted and find it quite faster to return to their tasks.
Importance of Employee Training and Onboarding
When new employees join an organization, onboarding is one of the effective ways to get them accustomed to their roles and the company as a whole. During onboarding, employees are assisted in building confidence and participating in diverse team-building exercises.
A positive onboarding experience sets the tone for an exciting career, as the new employees feel welcome and motivated to contribute to their roles quantifiably.
Here are some reasons why onboarding is important for new employees
- Reduced Turnover
Onboarding goes beyond clarifying job roles; it entails introducing new employees to the company’s values, norms, and culture.
When employees feel a sense of alignment and belonging with the organization’s culture, they are more likely to remain and thrive within the company.
A supportive network within the organization contributes positively to job satisfaction and provides a sense of community. This reduces the prospects of employees leaving because of isolated feelings.
Onboarding sets clear expectations for performance standards and goals. Therefore, when employees clearly understand the organization’s expectations, they are more likely to remain dedicated to the organization.
- Improved Productivity
Enhanced productivity is a crucial outcome of efficient onboarding for new employees because it embodies diverse elements that make up the efficient performance of employees in a company.
When employees undergo a well-structured onboarding program, they quickly understand their job roles and overall organizational process, reducing the time frame to become fully productive.
Onboarding often includes effective training sessions custom-made to the job’s requirements. These training sessions ensure new hires have the necessary knowledge and skills, empowering them to execute their tasks competently and confidently.
Employees are introduced to the tools, resources, and systems that will make their jobs easier and more efficient. This access eliminates obstacles that prevent employees from being effective from the beginning.
- Increased Revenue
When new employees are more efficient, their impact can positively contribute to revenue-generating duties, helping the organization’s financial performance.
In roles more remotely related to revenue generation, like customer service, sales, and marketing, onboarding helps employees understand services, products, and customer needs.
When well-trained, employees can effectively engage prospective clients, leading to more sales, customer satisfaction, and continued company growth.
Onboarding facilitates collaboration between diverse teams, ensuring that new hires work seamlessly, thereby contributing to incorporated solutions and strategies that positively affect revenue.
- Boost in Employee Engagement
During onboarding, new employees are introduced to the company’s mission, vision, values, and culture. When they properly understand the organizational culture from the start, it produces a sense of pride and belonging, which improves employee engagement.
Effective onboarding helps new employees to better understand criteria, job roles, and performance metrics. When new hires have clarity on what is expected, they develop a sense of direction and purpose, which can positively impact their engagement levels.
Employees who see the bigger picture in a company and understand their roles are more likely to be engaged to contribute meaningfully to the organization’s growth.
- Higher Employee Satisfaction
Improved employee satisfaction is one of the vital outcomes of effective onboarding for new employees because it influences their overall experience within the company.
Onboarding activities promote social integration with colleagues, making them feel accepted within diverse circles in the company.
Interestingly, a good onboarding program communicates various prospects for career development within the company. When employees can vouch for the company’s interest in supporting their professional growth, they will be encouraged to contribute positively.
Difference between Onboarding and Orientation
Orientation and onboarding are both important processes for every organization. However, it is important to distinguish between these concepts to enable their proper leverage.
What is onboarding?
Onboarding involves the introduction of a new employee to a company through a series of incorporated processes. These processes help new employees understand their duties and responsibilities within the organization clearly. Onboarding typically extends over a long period, spanning weeks or months.
What is orientation?
Orientation is the process of orienting new employees to their new professional environment. The primary purpose is to create awareness about the organization’s culture and what new hires are expected to do. During orientation, employees are equipped with skills, tools, and knowledge to perform their duties effectively.
| Onboarding | Orientation |
| A more comprehensive process involving the integration of new hires | An initial introduction of new hires to the organization and its fundamental policies and procedures |
| It extends over a period, usually weeks or months | Usually short-term, and takes place on the first few days or week of employment |
| It is a broader concept, delving into the specifics of job responsibilities, roles, and expectations | The focus is on helping new hires assimilate the basic workplace information |
| Mostly at the individual level, as they focus on their specific roles and responsibilities | Usually takes place in a classroom or group setting. |
| They learn more about their specific roles | They garner more information about the company’s need-to-know ground rules |
| Focus is on long-term organizational success | Focus is on mastering the basics to begin working |
| Follow-up is continuous, involving assessments | Follow-up is usually brief |
| Extensive interaction with team members, managers and other important stakeholders | Limited interactions often facilitated by the HR manager |
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The Virtual Reality Advantage in the Workplace
Like other technologies challenging the modus operandi of several traditional work processes, Virtual reality is disrupting the workplace and helping businesses achieve their goals.
Virtual reality(VR) has several benefits for organizations regarding employee engagement and satisfaction, cost savings, etc.
- Safe and Practical Learning Environment
VR provides employees with a realistic and safe way to train without getting injured or causing damage. With immersive VR, employees can experience situations that might not be safe in reality. Therefore, they might need to experience those situations to feel prepared and build confidence.
Employees can leverage VR to make mistakes and learn from them without fearing failure. The immersive nature of virtual reality improves engagement and retention, ensuring that users are more likely to recollect and practice in the virtual world.
- Cost-effective Training
While traditional training in the workplace might seem effective because employees are physically present, it has some downsides.
Firstly, employees have to be at a designated place, which translates to more expenses for commuting, stress, time costs, etc. However, the immersive learning provided by VR removes these hindrances, ensuring that employees can learn from the comfort of their location.
Companies can save costs and time associated with commuting when they incorporate VR for training. This enables employees to dedicate more time to work, increasing their efficiency and productivity.
- Enhances retention
When individuals pay attention to what they are learning, they will likely remember it effectively. Virtual Reality in an organization engages multiple senses by creating immersive experiences, creating a long-lasting impact on memory.
Employees can leverage VR’s interactive environment to practice and experience scenarios connected to their roles. This approach facilitates active learning, enabling individuals to retain information better. Employees are more likely to recollect actions and experiences than passively consume information.
- Separation from distractions
Unlike traditional training, where employees are likely to be distracted, it is easier for them to be motivated with the virtual reality option.
During traditional training, employees find it hard to remain motivated because of various factors, making them lose focus. However, with the VR headset, their attention is fully captured via the audio and visual stimuli.
They become fully immersed in the virtual environment, free of distractions. VR’s ability to provide customizable and controlled learning spaces enables them to be more focused at work, making their training more effective.
- Remote Collaboration
Virtual Reality fosters teamwork and communication among employees not in the same geographical location.
Organizations can create virtual meeting spaces for their employees to interact in real-time, enabling them to engage in discussions and presentations like they were physically present.
These spaces can be customized to accommodate the remote work needs of the employees, facilitating a more intuitive experience. VR enables employees to collaborate and interact on documents virtually, making changes visible to every participant.
In Conclusion
The incorporation of Virtual reality in the Human Resources space suggests a transformative leap in the right direction, particularly in employee training and onboarding. The immersive nature of VR provides solutions to some of the traditional challenges of training and onboarding.
With VR, employees can participate in hands-on practical experiences that build confidence and competence. This helps with effective knowledge retention, enabling them to apply their skills in reality.
