Getting techy with it – How HR technology is revolutionising the way we do business

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The latest in Human Resources technology has been transforming how companies manage and maintain their people. 

HR technology has become essential for HR professionals to streamline processes, improve employee engagement, and make data-driven decisions.

One of the key benefits of HR technology is that it can help companies automate mundane tasks, giving HR professionals free time to focus on more strategic activities.

For example, AI-powered recruiting tools can help screen resumes, identify top candidates, and schedule interviews, cutting recruitment costs, time, and effort. Similarly, performance management software can automate setting goals, tracking progress, and providing feedback, freeing managers to focus on coaching and development.

Global giants such as IBM, Shell and Cadbury, who have executed HR Technology systems, have recognised the value of such practices in enhancing decision-making and helping businesses save money and improve their bottom line.

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HR technology provides real-time data and analytics that support data-driven decision-making. With analytics software, HR professionals can gather data on everything from employee performance to workforce demographics. This allows companies to identify areas for improvement, such as skill gaps or diversity and inclusion initiatives, and create data-driven strategies to address them. Such initiatives would greatly benefit South African labour laws and regulations regarding monitoring and maintaining employment equity and BBB-EE and avoiding the risk of non-compliance fines and penalties.

With the rise of remote work during the pandemic, companies have had to adapt quickly and find ways to manage a distributed workforce. It has enabled remote work with digital tools such as video conferencing, project management software, and virtual team-building activities. As of June 2021, around 50% of the South African workforce was working remotely.

With specific reference to the Accounting industry, there seems to be focus and priority placed on automation and digitisation of Accounting and Audit procedures, with HR processes often left on the back burner.

HR technology can be a powerful tool for companies looking to improve efficiency, effectiveness and employee experience, provided you have top management support and buy-in.

I can vouch for the immense benefits of HR technology in reducing administrative costs whilst simultaneously being beneficial at the induvial employee level. Accensis has recently ventured on a project to enhance our payroll processing and employee self-service portals.

This has subsequently increased transparency within the firm as self-service portals allow employees to manage their HR tasks, such as updating personal information, submitting time-off requests, viewing payslips, and other employment-related information. This empowers employees to take responsibility for their HR-related tasks. The reduced administrative burden on HR is most certainly welcomed, and I am excited to see the long-term efficiencies of this in the employee experience.

As technology advances, we expect to see even more innovative HR technologies to help companies stay competitive, attract and retain top talent, create a more inclusive workplace, and drive business success in an increasingly digital world. I look forward to researching and implementing further initiatives at Accensis, hoping to see employee engagement and retention through HR Technology being explored as a critical factor.