From processing endless emails to managing job applications and ensuring compliance with regulations, human resources (HR) managers often spend too much time on repetitive, mundane tasks. This workload prevents them from focusing on higher-value initiatives that improve employee experience and drive business value.
Automating repetitive processes empowers HR teams to shift their focus from transactional duties to strategic initiatives like fostering diversity, inclusion, and employee engagement. Intelligent automation (IA) can help put the “human” back in HR by freeing up time and energy for more meaningful work. At its core, IA enables organizations to not only “do more with less” but it can also help enhance employee satisfaction and engagement in the process.
Focusing On People Through Tech
Almost half of all organizations have been able to understand their employees better thanks to technology, improving how companies can engage and support their teams. Employee expectations have shifted dramatically in recent years. Today’s workforce values flexibility, diversity and inclusivity, and employees expect the workplace to reflect those values. For companies to meet these evolving expectations, digitizing HR systems and workflows is no longer optional—it’s essential. By investing in user-friendly platforms, leveraging cloud solutions, and integrating data-driven insights, organizations can transform their HR systems to create a more engaging employee experience.
IA combines technologies such as Robotic Process Automation (RPA), artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning, intelligent document processing, and other advanced technologies. These tools work together to replicate human tasks, automating activities that consume significant time and mental energy. For instance, IA can handle tasks like resume screening, onboarding paperwork, compliance checks, and payroll management.
Imagine an HR team that no longer spends hours processing paperwork or responding to routine inquiries. Instead, they can focus on fostering a healthy workplace culture, improving employee well-being, and aligning people with business goals.
Promoting inclusivity
IA can help cut down on unconscious bias in hiring. For example, a paper in the Journal of AI, Robotics, and Workplace Automation takes a closer look on how IA can help improve communications between employees and managers. AI-driven tools can automate aspects of hiring and performance reviews, allowing organizations to assess candidates and employees based on data, rather than subjective judgment. Natural Language Processing (NLP) and Conversational AI (CAI) technologies can analyze employee performance reviews to detect biased language, providing a more objective view of an employee’s contributions. This data can be used to inform feedback, promote inclusivity, and reduce the risk of bias creeping into critical HR processes.
IA also enhances inclusivity by ensuring that processes like onboarding, performance evaluations, and employee feedback are consistent and standardized. This helps create a level playing field where all employees feel valued and supported. IA-enabled systems can track inclusivity metrics, enabling organizations to make data-driven decisions about diversity and inclusion initiatives.
By creating a more transparent and objective feedback culture, IA can encourage employees to provide input on workplace policies and practices. This feedback loop not only helps identify areas of improvement but also empowers employees to take ownership of their work environment, further enhancing satisfaction and engagement.
Embracing Digital Workers
Digital colleagues are becoming more integrated into the workforce, handling time-consuming, repetitive tasks. This frees human employees to focus on more thoughtful, in-depth work, problem-solving, and building relationships—both with colleagues and customers. Ultimately, these digital teammates will make the workplace more human than ever.
Organizations that embrace these technologies will not only improve efficiency but will also foster environments where employees feel valued, included, and motivated to succeed.
Dr. Lou Bachenheimer is the Chief Technology Officer for the Americas with SS&C Blue Prism. Before joining Blue Prism, Lou was a Senior Client Technical Specialist for IBM Watson and Cloud Platform where he was distinguished as an IBM Recognized Speaker. Lou earned his Ph.D. in computational nanotechnology from the University of Connecticut and taught graduate and undergraduate-level robotics and mechanical engineering courses. Lou also serves on the editorial board of the Journal of AI, Robotics & Workplace Automation.