Introduction

The Future of human resources is a topic that has been discussed for years. But how does it affect the HR manager? What are areas that we need to focus on in order to prepare for this change?

In the past, HR professionals and managers were the ones who focused on training employees on how to perform their jobs. However, in recent years, technology has evolved and now HR departments are investing thousands of dollars in creating effective training programs for both new and existing employees.

For example, Bank of America reportedly rolled out training programmes accessible via VR headsets from 4,300 locations.

The 2021 Gartner research reported, that amidst the cost-cutting environment due to the pandemic, 90% of the HR leaders still maintained or increased their investment in technology. Around 24% of chief human resources officers still explored how the evolving technology trends, such as Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), and Augmented Reality (AR), will impact talent acquisition and employee management processes.

How does the virtual and augmented reality affect HR?

Virtual reality (VR) and augmented reality (AR) are both emerging technologies that can be used for a variety of purposes, but they have distinct advantages in the workplace.

VR is primarily used for recruiting and training employees, while AR is more effective at engaging employees and retaining them.

Can a virtual assistant or a chatbot take over the HR manager's job?

Chatbots can be used to automate some HR tasks, but they can’t replace human interaction. If a chatbot is going to take on the role of the HR manager, it will need to be able to handle complex problems and make decisions that require more than just simple yes/no responses from users.

For example: How do you deal with an employee who has two jobs? Or one job and another side hustle? Or maybe there are concerns about the quality of service at one or both companies where this person works? If you have these kinds of questions but don't want your employees talking directly with human resources staff members—and if those staff members aren't available 24/7—then a chatbot may be able to help!

VR is used for training.

VR can be used to train employees on the job, new equipment and processes. For example, a company may want their employees to learn how to use new software or equipment before they begin working with it. This could be as simple as showing an employee a video tutorial that walks them through how the program works and then sending them out into the field with their colleagues where they will practice using it in real life situations.

Make virtual or augmented reality a part of your profession if you're a real estate broker, agent, architect, or interior designer. The obvious advantages include time and money savings, more interest in your offer, and quicker sales. For many customers, a personalized experience is crucial, which is why VR and AR in real estate help give.

VR and AR are already being used for recruitment, training, employee engagement and retention. They can also be used to improve employee satisfaction.

AR is educational.

In a study by LinkedIn and VirtualFitness, 80% of respondents said that they would be more likely to recommend their company if they received onboarding support from VR. This is because virtual reality provides an immersive experience that makes it easier for workers to learn new skills or adapt to a new environment. Furthermore, it reduces the cost of travel and accommodation when employees move between locations within the same organisation.

AR is still in its infancy, but it's already being used for many educational purposes. For example, the University of Utah has been using AR to help students learn about the human skeleton and other anatomy topics.

The same can be said for training programs—for example, there are several apps that allow you to view how to perform a task like operating machinery or driving a car safely online (without actually having to drive around). This type of content allows people with disabilities access to technology that would otherwise be inaccessible.

It's also being used as entertainment: Google recently announced plans to build an AR rollercoaster called "Street View" which will use VR headsets instead of traditional cameras so viewers feel like they're riding along with the action as if they were right there next door!

And finally...we get into marketing territory…

Augmented Reality has been making waves in the marketing industry because of its ability to be used on a smartphone, which is how most people access their devices. It's been proven that your online persona can impact your business' bottom line through augmented reality in various ways.

The ultimate goal of augmented reality is to help consumers interact with your brand on a personal level, rather than at a distance. With this in mind, it's worth considering ways that AR can boost your marketing campaigns across multichannel platforms including mobile, social media and web.

Conclusion

We have seen a lot of hype around VR and AR since their release. Everyone wants to know if it will change the way we work, but the answer is not so simple. The future of HR is going to be affected by these technologies, but you can't expect everything overnight. However, the statistics have proven that VR and AR are enough of strong and interesting technologies that they are worth trying. Even more, more and more companies are following the footsteps of business giants and investing their resources in these immersive, futuristic technologies that are leading us to success and rich, exciting unknowns.