In an increasingly digital world, virtual reality (VR) is emerging as a powerful tool, redefining how companies recruit, train, and manage their employees.

This disruptive technology is increasingly used because it offers new possibilities to improve efficiency, reduce costs, and create more engaging experiences for both employees and prospective candidates.

According to a study by the HR consultancy Manpower, 65% of human resources managers have already adopted or plan to implement virtual reality in the coming years.

"The incorporation of this technology is streamlining bureaucracy and allowing recruiters to focus their efforts on selecting ideal talent," the report states. Virtual reality is becoming an increasingly tangible reality among companies that prioritise innovation.

A Unique Experience

The first virtual reality machine was created in the mid-1950s by American researcher Morton Heilig. It offered, through a viewer, a multisensory and immersive cinematic experience.

Since then, it has evolved to become what it is today: a technology that creates a three-dimensional digital environment, entirely computer-generated, that simulates a realistic and immersive experience.

Using special devices, such as glasses or helmets, users can immerse themselves in this virtual world, interact with digital objects, and experience situations that may be difficult, costly, or impossible to recreate in the real world.

This technology deceives our senses, mainly sight and hearing, to make us believe we are in a different place, allowing us to explore, learn, and experience in novel and powerful ways.

As virtual reality technology evolved and became more accessible, companies recognised its potential beyond entertainment.

The ability to create immersive and realistic environments opened up new possibilities in various fields, including human resources. In the early 2010s, some companies started using virtual reality for training and developing their employees.

A few years later, it was incorporated into recruitment processes, becoming an effective tool for knowledge retention, skills assessment, and employee integration into organisations.

Enhancing the Human Factor

Imagine being able to experience a day at work in a company before being hired. This is now possible thanks to virtual reality, which allows recruiters to create realistic scenarios for applicants to immerse themselves in the company’s work environment.

Thus, candidates can interact with their virtual colleagues and face practical challenges, all from the comfort of an interview room.

This immersion not only benefits applicants, who gain a clear vision of what awaits them, but also recruiters, who can assess how candidates react to real situations, beyond what their CV says.

VR is also being used in staff training, through interactive virtual training environments where employees can practise complex technical skills, improve their soft skills, and become familiar with risk situations, without endangering their physical integrity or that of the company.

From simulating surgical procedures for doctors to customer service training for sales staff, VR offers a range of possibilities that adapt to the specific needs of each industry.

It is also being explored as a tool to improve employee well-being and engagement, with programmes offering guided meditations, relaxing environments, and mindfulness exercises.

Inspiring stories

Many companies are already successfully using virtual reality in their human resources areas.

Walmart has created virtual environments in all its training centres to train its employees in managing store products, especially in the proper handling of hazardous materials.

The North American logistics and transport company UPS uses virtual reality in its training programmes for drivers, simulating challenging and dangerous driving situations without endangering employees' lives.

Deutsche Bank implements it to help its employees develop their interpersonal skills, using a simulation environment that allows them to make presentations, handle difficult conversations, and work in teams.

Marriott International is using it to offer potential guests a virtual tour of its hotels, which has helped increase bookings and improve guest satisfaction. These are just a few examples of how this technology is transforming the way companies manage their human resources in the digital age.

Technology is the Key

Implementing virtual reality in human resources processes requires robust and flexible technological infrastructure.

Organisations seeking to leverage the potential of VR for employee training, onboarding, and development need human resource management platforms that can integrate these innovative technologies.

Market-leading solutions, such as SAP HCM and its cloud successor, SAP SuccessFactors, provide the necessary foundation to incorporate these advanced tools.

Although these platforms do not natively include virtual reality functionalities, their open architecture and integration capability allow companies to connect specialised VR solutions, creating a complete technological ecosystem.

Towards a New Era

The adoption of virtual reality in the field of human resources marks the beginning of a new era in human capital management.

This technology is not only revolutionising training and development methods but also redefining the employee experience from day one on the job.

As organisations continue to explore and expand the use of VR, we will see new innovative applications emerge that will transform the way we attract, develop, and retain talent.

The potential of this technology is enormous. Companies that adopt it will be better positioned to face future challenges and maintain a competitive advantage in an increasingly dynamic market.

Ultimately, integrating virtual reality into human resources is not just about technology, about enhancing the most valuable element of any organisation: its people.