The workplace has witnessed significant changes in the last two years, as has the HR department. There have been many factors which have contributed to these massive changes. Be it the onset of the hybrid work culture, to the introduction and usage of modern technology, and the importance of work-life balance that have been brought to the forefront resulting in the transition of the professional workforce, culture and environment. This has left nobody and no department untouched, including CHROs and HRs.
HRs are always at the forefront and are confronted with various challenges. The recent challenges that have been a major concern for the organization and HR include the Great Resignation, followed by Quiet Quitting, not mentioning the technological challenges that were brought to the forefront in the last two years. They have attempted to efficiently use HR technology to handle structural changes, workforce models, employee satisfaction, and workplace engagement.
To address the challenges and survive in today’s market, there are three HR essentials – productivity, experience, and engagement – are fundamental. It is also critical to recognize developments and trends. HR-related technology will promote business efficiency and employee engagement in a variety of work environments.
The findings of a Gartner survey done in May 2020 state, 17% of firms are currently using AI-based solutions to significantly improve their HR operations, with an additional 30% aiming to implement AI in HR by 2022.
To rethink & reshape the workplace structure, these potential 6 HR tech trends should be explored.
- Accepting Hybrid and Remote Work
During the Pandemic, companies had no option but to embrace the remote work model for employees. The global workforce adapted to the new set-up and built a functional structure to accommodate the teams in order to give them the requisite environment and facilities to carry on with the work.
Currently, when the offices are open; based on a recent Gartner poll, 48% of employees will want to work remotely after COVID-19, up from 30% before the pandemic began.
HR is aware of the fact that hybrid and remote work are going to stay here. The corporates & their HRMs must build a seamless strategy that caters to remote and in-office employees’ diverse needs and schedules. HR teams must utilize various remote working functionalities to strike a balance among different work models.
- Implementing AI
In HR tech trends, the AI-driven talent acquisition process has gained accelerated momentum.
According to the latest IBM survey, 66% of CEOs think AI can drive significant value in human resources.
AI can drive value in recruitment, selection, assessment, and onboarding components. AI-driven advanced analytics can help CHROs, staffing agencies, freelancers, and employees by creating end-to-end talent management solutions. AI can extract important desired information about candidates and retain the finest talents.
- Employee skill development
In today’s time, upskilling is a huge trend in the market, and HR teams acknowledge it. Consequently, HRs need to provide employees with everything they can to support them in skilling & upskilling.
This phase has put spotlight on the needs of addressing not just mental health at work, but also understanding in handling teams, situations at work, working on habits – all these contribute in improving productivity as well as keeping the employee motivated.
Gamification is a fun way of learning and upskilling by implementing learning tools supplemented with AR & VR technologies.
- Better HR communication
Various work formats have affected how employees formerly communicated and collaborated. This circumstance calls for improved HR communication.
HR teams must build seamless and have those crucial conversations with employees in order to function effectively. HR technology may serve as a communication facilitator, allowing workers to communicate regardless of location.
- Advanced HR security
HR technologies and AI are becoming an essential component of the HR system, while data security has emerged as a legitimate worry for businesses.
In accordance with IBM research done in the United States, the losses paid by firms due to data breaches was estimated to a total $4.24 million in 2021.
Because remote and hybrid work arrangements are here to stay, HR must provide cybersecurity training and persuade management of its value. All of this must work in conjunction with the company’s IT security architecture and procedures.
- Transparency & accountability
AI technology in HR assures transparency and accountability. It will make it easy to evaluate personnel using performance management solutions that include a feedback function. It promotes employer-employee trust while protecting employee privacy. These analytical tools help to increase employee engagement, motivation, and accountability for results.
HR techs – Enabling agile & inclusive workspace
The rise of AI in HR technology represents a new armament for organizations in terms of employee satisfaction and meaningful business results. Using modern technology may assist CHROs and HR executives in retaining top personnel, improving the brand, and engaging employees.
New HR technology trends will accelerate workforce transformation and increase employee retention. To enhance employee engagement and experience, accessible technology may advance the future of work in collaboration with growing HR innovation.
(The author is Mr. Anand Dewan, Group CEO, BYLD Group and the views expressed in this article are his own)
