Technology has always played an integral role in business operations—and even more so now that many of us continue to work remotely. With this, organizations across industries are over-inundated with technology applications, services, and products that claim to streamline operations. From Microsoft® Teams to Zoom to Slack, these technologies offer benefits for many but at what cost?
For many, this influx of collaboration, messaging, and video chatting apps has caused employees to feel the need to be “always on,” which can ultimately hinder employee engagement and productivity and lead to burnout.
But it doesn’t have to be this way. A 2020 survey found that 47.8% of global HR leaders predict technology will continue to enhance and streamline the employee experience. So how can your organization get it right and reap the full return on investment (ROI) of HR technology?
Remote work provides a vastly different employee experience than being in an office or on the front lines, and with this, it’s important to approach technology in a way that can facilitate our best work. Companies building their HR tech stack are looking for ways to improve and scale how they connect, recognize, and support their employees—and the right technology can help. When employees feel supported, motivation and productivity improve in turn, ultimately boosting overall employee wellness. Here’s how.
The Right HR Technology:
- Cultivates connection with impactful communications. While remote and hybrid work tempts us to over-communicate, this can do more harm than good. Rather, intentional check-ins and consistent messaging are key.
- Celebrates employees. Through sharing stories of employee success and accomplishments, workers feel seen and valued, and others are shown what to strive toward in their own careers. The key here is to reinforce company values and culture while maintaining a consistent approach.
- Offers practical support for a remote or hybrid workforce. Regardless of shrinking operational budgets, there’s greater pressure for HR teams to do something for employees experiencing burnout. This can be done through financial programs (e.g., discounts) to reduce financial stress or peer-to-peer support to foster social connection.
Beyond the benefits of HR technology like an employee engagement platform, it’s integral to source and integrate the right technology for your needs, fighting the urge to offer employees access to different technologies that are incompatible together. This simple step can make the difference between streamlining and excess. Having minimal logins and one fluid location to get information will help keep employees in touch with the organization without being bombarded.
The future of the office as we know it is still uncertain, and remote work is likely here to stay, so technology will continue to play a crucial role in optimizing work for all. When executed thoughtfully, technology has the potential to fill the gaps of remote work—like communication and engagement—rather than being a barrier to business.
Will Tracz is CTO at Reward Gateway.