It is no news that the outbreak of coronavirus has accelerated the pace of change in workplace operations and brought into focus the ‘human’ aspect of the human resources function. Of late, businesses in India have learned some vital lessons such as employee engagement and motivation are key to business growth.
As business environments are becoming more complex, human resources departments are harnessing technology to improve and maintain a great employee experience. Every company out there is making considerable efforts to leverage technology to create a vibrant as well as inclusive ecosystem.
The entire human resources community has undergone several evolutions over the past few decades and the year 2020 came with another change. The global pandemic, COVID-19 that hit the world impacted every life in myriad ways and workplaces were also not devoid of it. Both employers and HR leaders had to find ways to sail through this crisis and it undoubtedly changed the way we work, communicate, and learn. Right from the beginning, HR managers have been at the forefront driving every transformation that happened in the last nine months. All thanks to technology. Technological advancements have not just helped HRs to face every challenge but also solve a multitude of WFH problems.
In this blog, we will discuss how companies can blend technology into human resources.
Automation
Automation is slowly but steadily becoming the operational norm across operational areas and human resource is no exception. For instance, a good number of recruiters have started integrating digital technology into the hiring process. If Artificial Intelligence tools are considered, they are also being widely used for screening candidates, shortlisting the right people, and Client onboarding process them. HRMS software is one such AI technology. Now, we all know what is HRMS. For people who do not know, it is an automated software tool that assists HR managers to streamline and optimize their day-to-day operations.
Also, human resources departments have made peace with the fact that conventional employee engagement practices and conservative motivation techniques can no longer be applied in a corporate world that is becoming highly volatile. As a result, the tremendous rise of emerging technologies such as the Internet of Things (IoT), Artificial Intelligence (AI), and Machine Learning will be equally important to strengthen the functional competencies of human resources by analyzing employee behavior, providing feedback, and building up a conducive ecosystem for increasing employee morale in the long run.
Chatbots
Human resources technology, undoubtedly, plays a key role in promoting robust as well as seamless communication between the management and employees through messaging tools and the internet. Especially chatbots allow companies to make their communication more collaborative and informal. If a business makes chatbots a core component of its internal communications framework, it can effectively convey its objectives to employees and help them to be their best selves in every situation.
Most importantly, using chatbots in the learning programs of a company is one of the efficient ways to improve employee skills and knowledge through automated training modules and digital courses. When every employee will have access to chatbots on the phone, he or she can set their own learning schedules and complete training at their own convenience. Using such features, companies can completely eliminate the need for classroom-style learning and a separate Learning Management System (LMS) that usually waste a lot of time and money. Furthermore, digital technologies can reap ample advantages to a company while working remotely.
Need to mention, the impact of cloud computing on human resources processes is also profound. Not many know that the cloud plays a key role in centralizing information comprising large quantities of data, from income tax details to performance reviews. Also, it even provides employees with autonomy to check and update their personal information. A transition to a cloud-based computing system makes work processes error-free and easy for HR managers along the way.
Digital tools
As the government of India engaged with the task of flattening the COVID-19 curve with extended lockdowns and stringent social distancing mandates, there emerged a hybrid working model that in turn changed conventional workplace dynamics and employee-management relations. Even as business leaders are thinking about the phased opening of their offices, the Work from Home (WFH) policy continues to remain in force. We are witnessing a scenario where the virtual workforces have become the new normal.
In such a situation, one of the biggest necessities for a company, be it small or big, is to implement smart technology to create inclusive online work setups to ensure efficiency and improve the remote employee experience. Employers should take a step ahead and provide their employees with digital tools and ensure that there are no communication gaps.
Conferencing applications can be utilized for holding regular team meetings, delegating duties, and carrying out periodic performance reviews of employees with the provision of timely feedback. This way, HR professionals can take a proactive lead in strengthening employee satisfaction levels and maintaining team relationships, with his team management skills.
Another area that has gone through a transformation in the post-pandemic era is employee engagement. As productivity and profitability are back in focus, HR technology will not just provide a positive and exceptional work experience to employees but also make them stakeholders in achieving the company’s vision.
That is it, we have come to the conclusion.
We hope this blog helped you to understand how to make use of technology in human resources.
We feel that the coming year shall see a unique focus on employee productivity as well as well-being, with a foremost objective to help businesses succeed. Engaging employees and sustaining workplace culture in a post-COVID world will definitely be a big challenge and hence, every HR leader is supposed to reinvigorate their performance and learn some new rewards strategies as long-term goals may not be sustainable.
Lastly, employers should decide to leave behind outdated tools and replace them with technologies such as HRMS software in India. Such systems will not just allow HR departments to stay ahead of the curve but also help companies to improve their bottom line in this difficult time.