Trends Shaping the Future of HR with Technology

FREMONT, CA: Human resources are typically associated with managing people, with HR professionals being responsible for overseeing various processes and interacting with employees in person. Historically, much of this work has been done manually, with hardcopy files used to store important documents and company guidelines. However, this has led to a situation where HR professionals are spending more time on tedious tasks rather than engaging with employees. In addition, many HR professionals are not necessarily trained to be data collectors or analysts, which has further complicated the job.

What is Technology in HR?

In the late 90s, companies began adopting technologies such as application tracking systems (ATS), talent management, and performance management to simplify HR processes and reduce monotonous tasks for HR professionals. However, with the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a significant shift towards remote work and long-term management of employees from a distance, as individuals are encouraged to stay apart and work from home.

Human resources faced a new and unprecedented challenge due to the pandemic. However, their approach to handling the situation not only allowed them to overcome the difficulties but also garner respect from the world. HR's actions during the pandemic were effective in turning the negative situation into a positive one.

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, most companies have had to adopt HR technology and remote software tools to manage their workforce. This includes using technology for tasks like recruitment, onboarding, and performance evaluations, which helps to connect employees with their employers in a virtual setting. The use of HR technology has become a vital tool for companies to bridge the gap between their employees and the technology they use.

‍What are the top seven latest HR tech trends in 2023?

AI technology can improve both the experiences of employees and candidates, and there are several areas within HR where recent technology trends incorporating AI have been effective and are expected to remain so in the future.

‍1. Remote work made better

Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, remote work has become more prevalent and companies are turning to online HR platforms to manage their workforce. These platforms provide a range of tools such as talent and attendance management to help employers monitor their remote employees. By using these digital platforms, employers can bridge the social distance gap between employees while still ensuring physical social distancing measures are maintained.

‍2. Diverse and inclusive hiring

Automated recruitment processes can help reduce human bias in the hiring process, resulting in a more inclusive and fair recruitment process that provides equal opportunities to all candidates, including those from diverse backgrounds. This type of hiring is a representation of the future of work and can help to level the playing field for all candidates. As a result, the role of HR professionals is being redefined in the New Normal.

‍3. Aligning generational gaps at work

HR software provides a common communication platform for all generations of employees in the workplace, regardless of their age. This helps to eliminate age discrimination and allows for better employee interaction without any barriers, as all employees have access to the same HR information. This fosters a more inclusive workplace culture and promotes equal opportunities for all employees.

4. Better transparency and accountability

‍The use of AI in HR enables a more transparent performance management process by incorporating features such as 360-degree feedback mechanisms and one-on-one meetings, which provide a more employee-focused and subjective evaluation. This promotes a balanced level of trust between employers and employees while respecting each employee's privacy. Furthermore, employees feel more valued, motivated, and accountable for their contributions, which can positively impact the company's success.

‍5. Encouraging agile team building

‍The integration of HR engagement software leads to improved communication and cooperation among cross-functional teams. This algorithm-based platform helps foster teamwork and facilitates organizational agility during times of change. By leveraging AI technology in HR, organisations can effectively manage crises, recover from setbacks, and develop a long-term strategy for resilience.

6. Syncing talent acquisition with company culture

‍Automated human resource management systems simplify the process for HR professionals to understand their organisation's culture, values, purpose, and goals. This helps them to find the right talent that fits with the company's vision and mission. With the use of HR digitalisation and people analytics, the challenging task of searching for and hiring the ideal candidates for higher employee engagement and retention becomes more efficient and effortless.

‍7. Anticipating user experience

‍HR communication software is designed to bridge the communication gap between employees who are geographically dispersed. Continuous advancements in HR technology are based on predicting the future needs of users in the workplace. Regular updates to HR software enable customisation and aim to provide employees with access to a vast amount of information in an uncomplicated manner. Essentially, the primary focus of an effective HR management system is on user-friendliness and responsiveness.

‍Currently, there is a growing demand for HR software due to the rapid development and convergence of the latest HR tech trends globally. However, despite the blurring of the lines between HR and IT, both sectors need to consider each other's needs and concerns. A global solution that combines tech automation and human authenticity is necessary, allowing for the elimination of human error and the end of tedious work while still capitalising on the creativity and innovation of the human brain. To cater to both local and global employees, IT and HR must find a balance of compromise. Individuals are striving to achieve this by linking the two distinct fields and maintaining a balance between man and machine. Ultimately, the goal is to establish HR software on a mass level that respects the contributions of both sectors, making interactions between individuals and machines more seamless.