We've gone from a box-ticking function to a strategic business partner
The rise of technology has been as unprecedented as it has been innovative. Consider how we used to work just five years ago, and where we are now is still a world apart. HR has been impacted more than most other sectors. We’ve gone from a box-ticking function to an intrinsic business partner – one which was leant upon disproportionality throughout the pandemic.
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With that in mind, HRD recently released their Most Innovative HR Teams report – part of which was an in-depth study looking at the core components of HR in the past year. Throughout HRD Canada’s research, one point was consistently reinforced: technology. There’s no denying that without tech, companies wouldn’t have survived the repercussions of COVID. While digital tools were always out there, the pandemic acted as a catalyst for their adoption, with the C-suite finally investing in much-needed HR software. Now, as organizations move into a hybrid way of working, employers are left wondering what role this new tech will play in 2022 and beyond – particularly around changing compliance rules.
ADP’s HR Survey Series with HR Outsourcing found that nearly 20% of US companies with 25 to 99 employees admit they were facing challenges with compliance and regulatory issues, which might increase as regulations change. To navigate forward, leaders will rely more heavily on real-time data to tackle compliance proactively and guide decision-making.
Check out the list of Canada's top HR innovator in HRD's special report.
“Organizations have had no choice but to be more open to tech since remote work has become the norm across many industries,” added Yvonne Tellis, manager, HR systems at North York General Hospital, another recipient of the Innovative HR Teams accolade. “It started with online meetings, digital signatures, calendar apps, and virtual assistants. Every people process is now ripe for evolution. What we see in consumer trends inevitably spills over to HR tech and we see that happening more now. We’ve used chatbots to book appointments with our dentist or hairdresser for some time. Now, HR is embracing chatbots for all sorts of people interactions; to answer questions, screen candidates, follow up on tasks, and maintain connections with employees and candidates. With greater technology embedded in our processes, we also have access to more data than ever. Intentionally investing time to gather insights will only drive further innovation in HR.”
From chatbots to AI, from digital onboarding to the employee experience – it all revolved around the use of innovative technology. Organizations that were quick to adopt new tech, or perhaps already had them in place pre-pandemic, undoubtedly weathered the COVID storm better than their more ‘traditional’ rivals. A recent report from ADP found that greater innovation is expected to lead to organizational growth in 2022, with more and more businesses turning to tech to drive efficiency and close the skills gap.
In the near future, HR’s reliance on authentic innovation is expected to deepen. One area that HRD Canada’s research found to be growing in popularity was innovation’s role in employee upskilling and – by association – retention.
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“There’s a need to facilitate further employee development,” said Iman Masud, of ADP Canada – a winner of our recent accolade. “According to ADP Research Institute’s ‘People at Work: A Global Workforce View’ report, 28% of staff have taken on new or changing roles as labour markets have shifted and business priorities have evolved. Now, many staff members want to continue their journey by adding new skills and certifications to help broaden their horizons. While this makes employees more valuable, businesses can only reap the benefits if they provide ongoing opportunities for skills development and career growth.”
The truth is that the pandemic changed the very idea of innovation in the HR field, and what was once a generic buzzword is now an integral part of organizational strategy. What the future holds for HR and the employee experience is still unclear. The only thing we can be certain of moving forward is that innovation will be a part of it.
Take a look at who made our exclusive Innovative HR Teams list here.