In recent times, the Human Resources (HR) industry has seen major changes. Traditionally, HR was mostly a paper intensive, structured area. The rapid change in technology has had a huge impact on the workplace in recent times. The incorporation of recent technological advancements has completely redefined the role of HR all over the world and the way they conduct their operations.
This shift in the use of available technology has allowed HR to be more strategic. Mobile phones, social media, AI (Artificial Intelligence), etc have helped reduce administrative tasks, so that HR professional can be more focused on the issues that require a more hands-on and personal approach.
Recruiting new talent is getting easier. Between social networks like LinkedIn and pre-employment screening tests, HR departments can now reach a wider audience and more efficiently evaluate the suitability of the candidate’s skills and personality to determine if they are the right fit for the job. It is already known that social media is widely used for recruitment and it appears that up to 92% of employers use these channels to identify and validate candidates.
According to Forbes.com, technology giants such as Google, Facebook, Amazon, Microsoft, Apple and others are focused on creating smarter products using AI. There are now over 1,000 AI vendors globally supporting all types of companies. Nearly 20% of companies have deployed chatbots (programs that facilitate text conversations) in the workplace. Companies are using chatbox as personal assistants and customer supports that answer general employee questions. This is definitely changing the way in which HR departments are doing business. For instance, Intel uses HR virtual assistants to answer questions about pay and benefits, and lets managers know when employees are sick. By 2021 it is estimated that 57% of companies will be deploying chatbots.
Below are some key areas that are changing the way HR are conducting their work and strategies that we can use to keep up with the technological shift:
- Mobile Apps: The use of the smartphone is most likely the most dominant influencer in HR in recent times. As the workforce is increasingly seeking to access their information via their mobile devices, companies are considering adapting their HR systems into these platforms. A trend towards creating applications that streamline the basic HR functionality through mobile apps is becoming more essential.
- Social Media: Social media plays a very active role in HR today, particularly when it comes to recruitment. Facebook and LinkedIn are some of the more popular platforms used to recruit staff. These social media channels are also considered a prime source for companies to achieve their goals in terms of targeting an audience and sending out information relating to the organisation. We are also learning to build relationships via social media by sharing our information and knowledge.
- Cloud based applications: Cloud based applications are inevitable in today’s HR business environment. Cloud technology has enabled information such as recruitment documentation and other important information to be easily stored and accessed online.
- BYOD: Bring Your Own Device is a newish trend and many organisations are embracing it for the purpose of bringing convenience to the business. However, one must ensure that security is at the forefront of the agenda relating to BYOD. HR needs to ensure that stringent policies are in place regarding protecting confidential information and that strict measures are also in place in case of lost or stolen devices.
https://talentculture.com/5-ways-technology-is-changing-the-face-of-hr/
https://financesonline.com/6-technological-trends-redefine-human-resource-management/