The use of HR Tech has escalated in the last couple of years. The pandemic forced organisations into the 21st century in order to keep in touch with, motivate and engage employees, in what was unprecedented times. As we come out of the restrictions of lockdown, we need to continue to look to the future in terms of what’s next for technology in the workplace.
In previous blogs we have looked at the HR trends we will see in 2025 and 2030. This time we are looking at how HR technology in particular is going to be even more important in the future:
- Recruitment
- Wellness
- AI
- Gig employees and freelancers
- Remote working
- Upskilling
- Next Generation performance management
- Self-service tools
Recruitment
HR tech, in terms of recruitment with the great retention crisis, is going to be a hot topic in the coming months and years. Whereas traditional tech (from a recruitment perspective) focused on a platform to manage the vacancy, advertising to sifting, inviting for interview, informing of outcome and job offer. This is a process that many organisations still use, but recruitment in the future is going to be a lot smarter. The use of applicant tracking systems is likely to increase.
An applicant tracking system (ATS) is a software application that enables electronic hiring needs. An ATS is similar to a customer relationship management system but used for recruitment tracking purposes. In many cases they filter applications received automatically based on a given criteria, such as:
- Keywords
- Skills
- Former employers
- Years of experience
- Schools attended
With the automation included, it can enable CV’s to be sifted more quickly and efficiently. In the future this will increase and get smarter, as you will likely be able to filter based on strengths, behaviours, and personality traits (like in many ways dating apps do!), to match people better with jobs available.
Wellness
As we wrote in another blog, wellness initiative and programmes support employee engagement. Healthy employees support your business, and being able to evaluate moods, provide mental and emotional support help organisations in the long run. For those based in the UK, evolve workplace wellbeing have developed a workplace toolkit, which features a cost effectiveness calculator, which demonstrates the value added against initiatives put into place. This online toolkit has a guide, case studies and a workplace wellbeing course which is a useful refresher or for those who are new to developing a wellness strategy or if your organisation has wellbeing champions who need to be upskilled.
AI in Human Resources
AI is already being used by HR in a number of ways:
- Workforce planning
- Onboarding new hires
- Engagement
A common misconception about AI is that it replaces the need for human workers – but this is a myth. AI is about helping people get the most of their role.
Here are some ways other ways that AI can be used:
Using robotics in HRM to improve products for customers
Through the use of automation and data mining we can provide products that our customers need. Amazon for example, used AI to recommend books and other things based on your purchases. Netflix does the same by recommending movies and TV shows, by how you have rated things you have watched. As does Graze, when you rate a snack box to say what you like and don’t like, you’ll receive the items you like more regularly and never receive the ones you don’t like at all.
Solving problems through data analysis
Machine learning algorithms can be applied to large amounts of data to find patterns and trends over time. Predictive analysis is used to help identify issues before they occur to avoid wastage (and this is not limited to inventory, it includes people and skills waste and time too).
Better customer service
Chat bots offer a personalised experience for customers with routine issues. They do make you feel like you are conversing with a person (I am sure I am not the only one who says hello and goodbye, then remembers it is not a person but a bot!). The data collected can help improve service on the feedback provided.
Automation
Automated process helps us do things faster and more effectively. Amazon is one of the worlds most popular ecommerce platforms. Their automated delivery system delivers packages within hours of purchase.
Recruitment
We have already mentioned this, but recruitment really benefits from the use of HR tech. When done right it can create a great first impression which helps create a great employee experience from day one.
Efficient performance management
Tech can help companies collect a wide number of detailed metrics from each employee to track performance. In HR we can also measure skills, knowledge levels, review attendance and ensure governance and compliance is in place. More can be automated freeing up valuable talent for the more important, complex, value-added tasks.
Improving time management
We can improve productivity by using scheduling tools, project management software (such as Trello, MS Planner, Monday.com) and task management apps (such as clockify). These applications are not about keeping tabs on people as a form of micromanagement – they enable employees to work better by giving them access to information and provide real-time visibility to help them manage their time effectively and enable a better work-life balance which can positively impact their wellbeing and employee experience.
Finding new ways to generate revenue
AI can be applied to sales, marketing, and advertising. It can be used to sell more items and make ads more appealing as target audiences change.
Gig employees and freelancers
The pandemic helped organisations to realise that everybody doesn’t need to be in the same physical space everyday in order to get work done. Gig workers or freelancers can help fill temporary skills gaps on a long terms basis for hard to fill positions. This helps to promote diversity and inclusion in the workplace as it gives the change to hire people globally.
Remote working
Although many companies have returned to the office, others have moved to permanent remote working (Twitter for example). Others are trying a hybrid approach (see our blog – hybrid 2.0). The use of video conferencing tools like Google meet, Zoom or MS Teams help people connect and engage. Employee engagement is a big challenge in a remote working environment, but HR tech such as self-service portals, and remote access to things like pay slips, help alleviate some of this challenge.
Upskilling
The ability to be able to update skills & knowledge, enabled organisations to survive during the tough times. In the future it will continue to be important to focus on providing learning and development programmes. This will help employees to grow and thrive, and we know that this is a key part of a great employee experience at work.
Next Generation Performance Management
Many organisations over the next five years are expected to face a skills gap. Using HR teach is one way that organisations can focus on measuring employee performance. A robust performance management system will help managers set company goals and performance objectives (meaning and impact) and promote rewards and recognition (appreciation) – which are also key themes of a great employee experience as set out in our MAGIC-CA model.
Self – Service tools
The last item is another of our universal themes of employee experience in the work place – autonomy. People want autonomy, and so the ability to be able to self-service will continue to be important. Such as:
- Access and update personal information via a self-service employee portal
- Access payslips online
- Manage annual leave requests
Self service tools can also help leaders communicate changes in policies, make announcements and deliver time – sensitive information.
All the trends in HR tech that we’ve looked at today will continue to impact and re-define the way HR functions.
Organisations that support workforce administration, as well as wanting to optimize workforce management, and create more good days at work, need to look now for tools and solutions to help them.
If you would like to talk more about HR tech, creating a good employee experience or the MAGIC-CA model, we’d love to hear from you, so please send us a hello!
@Karen
