What’s Ahead In HR Tech?

Top trends and tools that every employer should be aware of

Staying up-to-date on the latest trends in HR technology allows employers and their employees to streamline everything from payroll, employee benefits, recruitment, and more - saving valuable time, money, and resources. A recent study from Sage found that 89 percent of the C-suite and 83 percent of HR leaders say HR technology allowed them to remain more flexible to changing needs of the workplace, keeping their businesses more resilient. As HR technology continues to evolve to meet the demands of the workplace, it’s important for organizations to keep a pulse on the latest trends and prioritize the HR technology that will provide the greatest return on their investment.

To understand the HR tech offerings that are shaping the current workforce and what to expect in the future of HR tech, here are the top trends and tools that every employer should be on top of

 

1. Automation and AI

With automation and AI tools on the rise in virtually every industry, including HR technology, it’s important for organizations to be educated on the advantages and disadvantages. From recruitment and selection to payroll and benefits administration, automation can enhance accuracy, reduce bias, free employees from repetitive business processes and allow employees to focus on the tasks at hand that matter most. Employers can also cut business costs overall.

With AI, many organizations may see these tools as a way to increase productivity and efficiency, but employers should keep a close eye on these tools, particularly as it relates to HR technology. The EEOC recently released guidance on the use of AI tools with HR, sharing that employers could be held liable if an AI tool results in a discriminatory impact on the organization. Without proper guidelines and safeguards, AI tools or

AI-related vendors that are used for hiring, monitoring employee performance, or determining pay and promotions could be deemed discriminatory. While the trend of AI isn’t slowing down, employers should expect that it will continue to evolve, and they will need to stay on top of these changes and how they affect the workplace and put organizations at risk.

2. Full-Service Incident Management Platforms

When handling workplace misconduct, internal policies and procedures are not always effective. In addition, managing situations internally can be time-consuming, unsuccessful and even include hurtful unconscious (or even intentional) bias - increasing an organization’s reputational risk and more. HR tech solutions like third-party incident management platforms remove these issues and the inherent risks, giving employers peace of mind that every incident is properly investigated and resolved.

Organizations can expect to see a continued increase in incident management platforms. While many provide similar offerings, it’s important to evaluate a few key factors when determining which solution works best for your organization. These factors include effectiveness and timeliness of resolving incidents, access to real-time data and analytics, and accessible reporting tools for employees (preferably 24/7). As organizations look ahead at HR tech, these factors will be important to keep in mind as organizations determine the best solution.

3. Prioritizing People Analytics

HR technology is now providing greater data to employers using people analytics. People analytics allow employers to pinpoint gaps in employee inclusion, identify immediate employee needs and strengthen business decisions. They also help organizations to streamline operations by showcasing trends in workplace issues, so employers can customize solutions instead of implementing a blanket approach across the entire organization. By having real-time access to people analytics, organizations can increase their visibility to the cultural health of their organization, allowing them to quickly streamline processes, mitigate risk, and make strategic decisions based on their people.

By understanding the trends in HR technology and what’s to come, organizations can prioritize investments that will allow them to remain flexible in the face of an ever-changing workplace.

HR professionals know the power of HR technology and understand the ROI that these tools can offer organizations. Whether saving resources, protecting reputations, mitigating risk or improving workplace culture, these solutions will remain a top trend for workplaces in every industry and will continue to evolve as we look ahead in HR tech.

Jared Pope is a Benefits and Employment Law specialist with over a decade of experience in human resources, ERISA, benefits, and employment matters. Recognizing drastic issues within the “system” for managing workplace harassment and discrimination, Jared founded Work Shield in 2018, as the first and only start-to-finish workplace harassment and discrimination solution and technology platform.