| A Human Resources department plays a very | | | | Okay, here's another scenario. You are tasked |
| important part in all organizations yet it is the first | | | | with recruiting 50 new customer service |
| department to be cut when times are tight. So | | | | professionals. It is the manager's responsibility to |
| how does a department keep functioning (it is | | | | do this but they really don't have the time to |
| important that it DOES keep functioning) while | | | | manage the administrative part of this particular |
| saving money – A Human Resources Virtual | | | | job. How can an overworked, understaffed HR |
| Assistant. | | | | department handle this, you ask? |
| | | | | |
| A Virtual Assistant is a solopreneur who | | | | Outsource it to a VA. They can create and |
| specializes in providing one-on-one, | | | | manage your job postings, receive all the |
| collaborative-style support to entrepreneurs and | | | | resumes (no need for you to break out in a |
| small businesses. Basically they provide an extra | | | | sweat when your email goes into overdrive with |
| hand when you need it. They pay their own | | | | all the resumes you are receiving), pre-screen |
| taxes, provide their own up to date equipment | | | | candidates using your questionnaire and schedule |
| and don't take up any office space. Sounds | | | | face to face interviews with the managers |
| perfect doesn't it. | | | | involved. Your department managers will love |
| | | | | meeting with only pre-screened candidates. The |
| Many Virtual Assistants provide a specialized | | | | VA can also conduct all background checks, send |
| service which is what a Human Resources Virtual | | | | out all information for the on-boarding process, |
| Assistant does. They have a background in | | | | once again create a powerful welcome |
| Human Resources and have decided to start their | | | | presentation and complete all new hire paperwork. |
| own business providing Human Resources support | | | | |
| to, well anyone who needs it. It won't work, I | | | | And how about all of those wish-list "someday" |
| hear you say, they must be in the office, there | | | | HR projects that you have been promising |
| are confidentiality issues and a long list of excuses | | | | yourself to accomplish "when you have the time?" |
| that you can come up with (I've heard them all | | | | Using a VA to create a newsletter, plan an event, |
| before). | | | | write new processes or training manuals, or |
| | | | | update the HR website can allow you to |
| But it CAN work and here are some examples | | | | accomplish all of those really nifty things that |
| how. | | | | never seem to make it to the front burner. |
| | | | | |
| Benefit enrollment is coming up and someone | | | | Working with a Virtual Assistant is a simple |
| needs to put the materials together, send them | | | | process- you only pay the VA for the time |
| out to employees and deliver the presentation | | | | worked, you save on bathroom breaks, personal |
| and receive and enter the new forms. | | | | phone calls and they are typically able to get the |
| | | | | job done quicker because they are not part of |
| The forms can be sent directly to the VA who | | | | that revolving HR door which is always open for |
| will put everything together, create a powerful | | | | questions from employees. |
| presentation, deliver it (if you like) and the VA will | | | | |
| follow up with employees to ensure that all forms | | | | So keep your HR department running smoothly, |
| are received. That headache is gone | | | | get that newsletter finally created and pretty |
| | | | | soon, you may even be able to take lunch! |