How the Digital Workplace is Transforming HR (and 6 Ways to Adapt)

Human resource departments, like many aspects of business, are currently undergoing intense digital transformations. The digital workplace is more than a trend, and forward-thinking HR teams are pivoting to a ‘people-first’ approach to align with the needs of today’s workforce.

How Digital is Disrupting Human Resources

HR’s function has expanded beyond employee service. Now, it is aimed to lead a digital transformation inside the business environment across human resources, the digital workplace, and employees.

• Digital workforce: New management practices, innovation and sharing, and talent practices for a network-based organization.
• Digital workplace: A working environment that facilitates productivity, modern communication tools and engagement, and a sense of purpose and wellness.
• Digital HR: Digital tools and apps to provide solutions; innovation and experimentation to take place continuously.

Progressive human resources leaders are focused on the future. Companies prefer workers who are digitally savvy, autonomous, and transparent in information sharing. HR is expected to deliver an integrated, digital workplace experience that’s designed around teams, empowerment, and productivity.

Preparing Human Resources for the Digital Workplace

Strategic planning

To realize a feasible transformation, develop a technical know-how, a multi-year strategy should be enacted based on cloud enterprise resource planning, tools, and applications. Planning on a comprehensive communication strategy, change management, and testing and training will ensure an achievable transition.

Continuous learning

HR leaders and employees should focus on continuous learning of new age tools and changing trends. A climate of constant updating of skills is an important component in the company’s program.

Digital transformation team

Organize a team of experts to strategize your transformation framework, and establish a process to monitor the project and inform the organization about progress.

Communication and Recognition

Collaboration between teams is essential and a great communication model enhances it. Fast response times, coordination, and problem-solving are the measurable benefits of a solid communication model. Involve company stakeholders to encourage participation across your organization. Involve company stakeholders to encourage full organizational participation and, ultimately, initiative success.

Create performance benchmarks and regularly recognize employee achievements. Employee recognition yields happier and more productive employees. In fact, Bamboo HR reports that 94% of employees who receive positive recognition are satisfied with their job and company.

Upgrade core technology

For a sound digital transformation, have the right digital infrastructure; have advanced tools that are easy to use, wonderful learning tools, and provide performance management and recruitment.

Implement job rotation cycles

Regularly rotate your HR team to expose employees to a myriad of job functions. This will help your employees understand how their work impacts the team as a whole. Job rotation cycles are an excellent opportunity for professional development. By investing in resources that help employees learn trending industry skills, like people analytics,  you will ensure that your team is ready for the future.

Social Capital

According to Deloitte, social capital in an organization is enhanced by empowering workers’ well-being. Organizations that prioritize workplace wellness as a business priority are gravitating a total rewards model that personalizes employee experience.

Corporate well-being programs focus on a holistic approach encompassing various health and performance realms. Employers should focus on the pillars of well-being: body, mind, purpose, and wealth to improve employee experience and increase employee retention.

To ensure that well-being programs are effective, they can be customized to what the employees value. Here are four ways to kick-start your program:

• Determine your workers’ wants and expectations. This will lead to an informed decision on their values and your planned expenditure.
• Align employee rewards with business goals.
• Communicate about these programs with workers to facilitate utilization, perception, and impact on workers.
• Assess if your tech stack meets your company’s needs, and research alternative solutions if necessary.

Again, how effective is your program? With constant changes in the world of work, it is imperative to continuously monitor and adjust rewards to maintain a continuous positive trend.

Key Takeaways

The digital transformation of HR is an inevitable component in the modern workplace that follows the advancement of technology and our understanding of the work environment. Proper restructuring, adoption, and implementation of new ideas are essential in the modern workplace and HR teams are in a unique position to influence company culture and drive business growth.