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Two years after employees worldwide shifted to remote work because of the COVID-19 pandemic, businesses are slowly returning to their offices, signifying a new era of work. However, while most workplaces are recovering from the pandemic, there is an awareness that this return isn’t permanent, and things can change once again just as quickly as they did in 2020.
All these changes to the workplace have given organisations numerous opportunities to reevaluate how they conduct their business and transform digitally. In a two-part episode of the British Chamber of Singapore podcast, Ceridian's VP and Head of Sales, Asia & Japan, Rob Squires shares his thoughts on HR technology's role in the hybrid work era.
Making connections in a remote environment
Pre-COVID, HR processes such as onboarding were relatively straightforward. It was easier for employees to assimilate to the culture since their colleagues surrounded them, and in turn, managers could easily track their new hire's progress and productivity.
Nowadays, some employees have never met their managers or teammates because they were hired remotely. A lack of these connections and micro-moments, such as the day-to-day conversations between colleagues, can create cause for concern around remote work.
However, while creating real connections quickly and effectively in a remote world is challenging, it's not impossible. HR technology allows employees to have an engaging experience wherever they are. From recruitment to onboarding to talent management, employees can learn about the organisation and communicate with their team, and managers can stay on top of their progress.
Attracting and retaining employees
The pandemic brought a historic shift in the relationship between employers and their people. Employees are now in the driver's seat, taking control of their career. They know what their needs are, and if employers can’t meet these expectations, they won’t hesitate to leave. In this tight labour market, organisations need to evolve to retain their people and attract top talent.
With the return to the office, leaders can allow employees to create flexible schedules they can then track using a workforce management system. Organisations can also build a retention strategy by providing development opportunities, coaching, and creating a succession plan accessible to both managers and employees through a human capital management system.
Embracing technology in leadership
Leaders have been at the forefront of all the changes in the workplace in the past years. It is challenging to manage people they cannot see or have never met, but managers have learned to adjust their style, and technology has helped them embrace this new environment.
Besides the usual emails, chats, and video calls, modern HCM systems provide a framework to help managers connect to their teams to understand what they are feeling about their work. Engagement and pulse surveys provide meaningful data that gives an accurate picture of employees’ sentiments and can help managers identify trends and create strategies to mitigate risks.
HR technology is here to stay
The world of work has changed, and it will continue to change. Having a modern, tech-driven employee experience is paramount for success, and HR technology is here to help organisations become more agile and embrace the hybrid work era.
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