13 answers
Genevieve
Student
Topeka, Kansas
62
Questions
Asked
1335 views
Can you work remote as an HR manager?
I'm really enthralled by the idea of working remote. However, I feel this would put too much distance between me and the employees whom I'm trying to help.
Login to comment
13 answers
Tyler White
Medical Device Sales Associate
20
Answers
Grand Junction, Colorado
Updated
Tyler’s Answer
Great question, Genevieve. I would say it depends mostly on the type of industry you want to work in. For example, working in an HR department at a hospital would most likely mean you need to work at a physical location. If you were in the tech industry, however, you would have a wide variety of choices as far as job offerings working remote.
I see what you mean about putting too much distance between you and the employees your trying to help; however, it today's work environment, virtual meetings and conferences are increasingly becoming the norm. Working with employees virtually will still allow you to make the impact you would like to make.
I see what you mean about putting too much distance between you and the employees your trying to help; however, it today's work environment, virtual meetings and conferences are increasingly becoming the norm. Working with employees virtually will still allow you to make the impact you would like to make.
Cool! Thanks for info Tyler! :-)
Genevieve
Sallie Young
payroll specialist
28
Answers
Canton, Georgia
Updated
Sallie’s Answer
Hey There! Working virtually is certainly an option in the HR industry / HR Management. If fostering a good relationship with your employees might be a concern, I highly suggest looking for a remote position in a company that really values and outs effort into their company culture. This can certainly change how both you and your colleagues view working, even remotely. Another good thing to note is the opportunity to organize team building or team exercises. There's plenty of ways to remain remote without remaining isolated :)
Cool! Thank you for taking the time to answer my question! :-p
Genevieve
Lucy Graham
HR Specialist
3
Answers
Newcastle upon Tyne, England, United Kingdom
Updated
Lucy’s Answer
Hello Genevieve,
I hope you are well!
The possibility of remote contracts can vary based on the field you're in and the specific policies of your employer. However, rest assured, there are indeed opportunities for remote work available.
A popular approach these days is the hybrid working model. In this setup, you might find yourself spending 2-3 days a week in the office, and the rest of your time working comfortably from home. This blend of in-person and remote work is becoming increasingly common, offering a great balance for many professionals.
I hope you are well!
The possibility of remote contracts can vary based on the field you're in and the specific policies of your employer. However, rest assured, there are indeed opportunities for remote work available.
A popular approach these days is the hybrid working model. In this setup, you might find yourself spending 2-3 days a week in the office, and the rest of your time working comfortably from home. This blend of in-person and remote work is becoming increasingly common, offering a great balance for many professionals.
Thank you so much Lucy!
Genevieve
Michelle (Shelly) Quirk, PHR
Human Resources
2
Answers
Pleasant Prairie, Wisconsin
Updated
Michelle (Shelly)’s Answer
It will depend on your employer and industry - I feel that hybrid and remote working is more commonly embraced these days. I am an HR Professional that has operated 100% remotely for the last 4 years. The communication technology is super helpful (Zoom/Teams/Slack/Outlook/etc), however there are some of the difficulties at times, such as technical issues. It's important to have reliable internet and be available via cell phone, if needed. Being able to interact via video is helpful, but I believe that nothing beats that face-to-face interaction. In a hybrid work environment, you'd have the best of both worlds - being able to see people face-to-face, engage in team building, really experience the culture but also have the flexibility that remote working allows. To each their own, but HR roles can be remote!
Thanks Shelly!!
Genevieve
Michelle Mosmeyer Sellers
Communication, change management
5
Answers
Montgomery, Texas
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
The world is more open to remote work than ever before. I've worked remotely for 10 years, after working in an office for 13 years. With Zoom and Microsoft Teams/Slack being used more, it's easy to build a rapport with your coworkers. I work every day with a colleague in Florida and consider her a great friend and partner, and we've never met in person - not one time. Remote work does require you be more intentional about staying in touch with your manager and your employees, but technology makes all that easy now. Just invest in your relationships and manage your stakeholders.
Thank you so much!
Genevieve
Yasmine Agyekum
Human Resources Generalist
7
Answers
Atlanta, Georgia
Updated
Yasmine’s Answer
Hi, great question! In my experience, I've found it really beneficial working on a hybrid model. I work fully remote, but I'm close enough to a company office that I'm able to come in whenever I want. So on the days where I'm feeling a little lazy or the commute doesn't look good, I can stay home. On the days where I'm feeling social or want to meet up with employees, maybe get lunch, we can make plans to meet in the office. Otherwise, I can come in and collaborate with employees that are also in the office.
Great point Yasmine, I've never considered hybrid before! Thank you!
Genevieve
Shelby Clingen
People & Culture Specialist
2
Answers
Denver, Colorado
Updated
Shelby’s Answer
Hi Genevieve,
This is a great question! With COVID-19, many workplaces have moved to partially and fully remote models of work. This means it is certainly possible for you to work remotely as an HR Manager! I myself work primarily remote and with employees across different states, so it can be awhile before I meet people in person. If you are working remotely, it is important to lean into digital tools (Zoom, Google Hangouts, Slack, etc.) to build relationships with employees. The best HR Managers have built up trust and strong relationships with their employees. This can be done remotely, but can take a little more effort. If you are remote, it's a goof idea to try and meet in person occasionally, even if it's just for social events.
This is a great question! With COVID-19, many workplaces have moved to partially and fully remote models of work. This means it is certainly possible for you to work remotely as an HR Manager! I myself work primarily remote and with employees across different states, so it can be awhile before I meet people in person. If you are working remotely, it is important to lean into digital tools (Zoom, Google Hangouts, Slack, etc.) to build relationships with employees. The best HR Managers have built up trust and strong relationships with their employees. This can be done remotely, but can take a little more effort. If you are remote, it's a goof idea to try and meet in person occasionally, even if it's just for social events.
Thank you Shelby! :)
Genevieve
Marissa Halper Shuster
Human Resources Recruiter
2
Answers
Morristown, New Jersey
Updated
Marissa’s Answer
Hello again Geneveive,
I agree with others comments that it depends on the industry if the position is remote. As a general statement, it is very common since the pandemic that companies have a hybrid work policy with a mixture of work from home and going to an office. In the case of hybrid, companies are communicating the expectation and specifying the expectations of going to the office vs working from home.
Marissa
I agree with others comments that it depends on the industry if the position is remote. As a general statement, it is very common since the pandemic that companies have a hybrid work policy with a mixture of work from home and going to an office. In the case of hybrid, companies are communicating the expectation and specifying the expectations of going to the office vs working from home.
Marissa
Thanks again Marissa! ;)
Genevieve
Amanda Kishfy
People in Deals Senior Associate
13
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Amanda’s Answer
Hi Genevieve,
That's a valid question! As others have said, it depends on the company (including size and culture) and the industry that you would be working for.
Due to the pandemic, a lot of workplaces have encouraged hybrid approaches (a mix of remote and in-person work), which gives employees the flexibility to go to an office or work from home whenever it works best for their schedules. Some teams have also encouraged certain days of the week to go to an office to work (such as only on Wednesday's, or Tuesday's and Thursday's). Is a hybrid model one that sounds interesting to you? If that is the case, then I don't envision that there would be problems for you being in an HR role and feeling disconnected from the employees. Some days you would be available in person, and others days you would be available through a video meeting.
If you are looking for an entirely remote position, I also don't think this would be a problem. Some companies promote video meetings, where you can engage with those you are working with from your home, but still be present via video for the employees. The pandemic transformed the way that employees connect and communicate - anything is possible!
That's a valid question! As others have said, it depends on the company (including size and culture) and the industry that you would be working for.
Due to the pandemic, a lot of workplaces have encouraged hybrid approaches (a mix of remote and in-person work), which gives employees the flexibility to go to an office or work from home whenever it works best for their schedules. Some teams have also encouraged certain days of the week to go to an office to work (such as only on Wednesday's, or Tuesday's and Thursday's). Is a hybrid model one that sounds interesting to you? If that is the case, then I don't envision that there would be problems for you being in an HR role and feeling disconnected from the employees. Some days you would be available in person, and others days you would be available through a video meeting.
If you are looking for an entirely remote position, I also don't think this would be a problem. Some companies promote video meetings, where you can engage with those you are working with from your home, but still be present via video for the employees. The pandemic transformed the way that employees connect and communicate - anything is possible!
Cool! Thanks for the informative answer!
Genevieve
Erich Stolz Spencer, MBA
Human Resources / DE&I
1
Answer
Minneapolis, Minnesota
Updated
Erich’s Answer
Hello Genevieve,
I agree with @Tyler White. It really depends on the role, the industry, and the company you want to work for. For example I work in the global space so whether I am sitting in an office or working remotely I am interacting with colleagues across multiple states and countries. It also matters the culture of the organization and how easy it is to develop and maintain relationships virtually. If the organization that is mature in working in a hybrid space, or a virtual space it will be much easier for you to navigate and be an effective HR practitioner than one that is primarily driven in face to face interactions.
I would recommend asking questions about the culture of the organization in the interview process and as part of your evaluation when choosing where to begin your career.
I agree with @Tyler White. It really depends on the role, the industry, and the company you want to work for. For example I work in the global space so whether I am sitting in an office or working remotely I am interacting with colleagues across multiple states and countries. It also matters the culture of the organization and how easy it is to develop and maintain relationships virtually. If the organization that is mature in working in a hybrid space, or a virtual space it will be much easier for you to navigate and be an effective HR practitioner than one that is primarily driven in face to face interactions.
I would recommend asking questions about the culture of the organization in the interview process and as part of your evaluation when choosing where to begin your career.
Thanks Erich!
Genevieve
Racheal Noble, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, NCC
Mental health, education, research, care coordinator
92
Answers
Oakland Park, Florida
Updated
Racheal’s Answer
Hello,
Yes, there are positions to work from home as an HR manager. When you are looking for employment, you should identify which companies have a position that is work from home and the criteria for that position as well. Work from home positions may require a different set of standards and rules, so be sure to think about this along with the travel /distance concerns you have regarding employment.
It is also vital to ask the employer if they offer work from home position, when doing an interview, as oftentimes, some companies may list a job, and not update the job analysis or job descriptions, which can be a turn-off; however, they may have had to change the standards give the recent hype of the pandemic along with understanding how much has changed with employee satisfaction and performance. Be open to discussing and negotiating hybrid situations as well. Although distances is a "con" for you, being flexible is a valuable trait that gets you in the door.
Good Luck.
Yes, there are positions to work from home as an HR manager. When you are looking for employment, you should identify which companies have a position that is work from home and the criteria for that position as well. Work from home positions may require a different set of standards and rules, so be sure to think about this along with the travel /distance concerns you have regarding employment.
It is also vital to ask the employer if they offer work from home position, when doing an interview, as oftentimes, some companies may list a job, and not update the job analysis or job descriptions, which can be a turn-off; however, they may have had to change the standards give the recent hype of the pandemic along with understanding how much has changed with employee satisfaction and performance. Be open to discussing and negotiating hybrid situations as well. Although distances is a "con" for you, being flexible is a valuable trait that gets you in the door.
Good Luck.
Thank you!
Genevieve
You're welcome Genevieve!
Racheal Noble, Ph.D., LMFT, LPC, NCC
Greg Dristas
3
Answers
Updated
Greg’s Answer
You can definitely be a remote manager in HR. The advice that others have given is all really good so I won't repeat them. What I will say is that you shouldn't look at the role from a "Can I do this remote?" and change it to a "How can I do this in the most effective manner as a remote employee?"
As the world is changing and more roles become remote (Even HR roles) we need more people coming in to the workforce that are thinking about how we improve remote management in general. Good luck with your future endeavors!
As the world is changing and more roles become remote (Even HR roles) we need more people coming in to the workforce that are thinking about how we improve remote management in general. Good luck with your future endeavors!
Thank you!
Genevieve
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
842
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Genevieve,
You absolutely can be a manager from a remote location. My last three bosses have not even been in the same state as I am. Your challenge is that you cannot manage a remote experience the same as an in-person one. Geography means that you have to learn to see in different ways. In the office you can see if someone is in the office, working or not working. How do you see that online? You see less of the day-to-day way some people manage people, through watching and talking daily. When your people are remote, you often have to plan communication to connect with your people. You also need to know what the results of work done mean. I work in a role where deadlines are important and the quality of work is expected to be high. So my boss is very aware of deadlines and asking along the way if there are any problems. He also expects to review some of my work before it goes out. He has to have a plan to be able to monitor me remotely - through reporting tools and planned interactions. From time to time, he even attends my meetings with our clients to see my "in action". In the past, I have had a boss who I never met in person. That means that we only have phone calls, virtual calls, and emails to learn about each other. This can be difficult for some people who through on in-person communication. It makes sense a high percentage of communication is non-verbal, through body language. Most of those methods that I just listed take away your greatest tool in communication.
Gloria
You absolutely can be a manager from a remote location. My last three bosses have not even been in the same state as I am. Your challenge is that you cannot manage a remote experience the same as an in-person one. Geography means that you have to learn to see in different ways. In the office you can see if someone is in the office, working or not working. How do you see that online? You see less of the day-to-day way some people manage people, through watching and talking daily. When your people are remote, you often have to plan communication to connect with your people. You also need to know what the results of work done mean. I work in a role where deadlines are important and the quality of work is expected to be high. So my boss is very aware of deadlines and asking along the way if there are any problems. He also expects to review some of my work before it goes out. He has to have a plan to be able to monitor me remotely - through reporting tools and planned interactions. From time to time, he even attends my meetings with our clients to see my "in action". In the past, I have had a boss who I never met in person. That means that we only have phone calls, virtual calls, and emails to learn about each other. This can be difficult for some people who through on in-person communication. It makes sense a high percentage of communication is non-verbal, through body language. Most of those methods that I just listed take away your greatest tool in communication.
Gloria
Thank you Gloria!
Genevieve