Automation is transforming virtually every industry, and human resources is no exception.
But “human” is right there in the name! How can robots and technology have a positive impact on something that’s so people-oriented?
Automation can streamline processes and limit risks, which is why it’s critical for anyone who works in HR. In order to advance your career and ensure you’re not deemed redundant due to the adoption of new technologies, it’s important to keep tabs on industry developments.
According to Enterprise Content Management (ECM) software maker Laserfiche, here are some core HR functions that can be improved with automation:
- Timesheets: Send instant, regular reminder emails for employees to review their timesheets.
- Benefits: Track when employees become eligible for benefits enrollment.
- Health and safety: Send update emails to floor monitors when an employee leaves the organization or moves to a new floor.
- Employee recruitment: Automatically store applications submitted online in the ECM repository and assign them to a recruiter for review.
- Employee onboarding: Send confidentiality agreements, waivers and other forms to new hires and, once completed, send them to the corresponding folders in the ECM repository.
- Tax forms: Facilitate the distribution of W2s and other tax documents with employee email reminders.
- Employee records management: Retain employee records according to government regulations in the ECM repository.
Keep in mind, HR automation benefits go beyond paperwork and processes. Automation can have both quantifiable and non-measurable benefits. One example is security. HR departments deal with large amounts of sensitive data. Not only does this information have to be kept safe, it also must be handled in compliance with numerous (and ever-changing) regulatory guidelines. HR automation technology can help solve these concerns while saving time and reducing the likelihood of error.
Automation can also benefit HR departments by strengthening teams through improved collaboration. Sharing data, organizing events, developing presentations, and completing projects on time can be a collaboration nightmare, especially at large organizations. HR automation tools help with project management to ensure smoother operations and better results.
So what does this all mean for the HR professional? You probably already have experience with some of these automation tasks. If not, it’s a big opportunity to be a thought leader and demonstrate your industry knowledge by proactively bringing it up to the team. When you show you want to embrace the future rather than refute it, you’ll demonstrate a forward-thinking attitude that’s sure to make you a valuable employee.
