In the 1980s, computers started gaining importance within offices, and for a brief period, people struggled to adapt to the digital workplace. The employee experience was one wrought with confusion and apprehension as people did their best to adapt to the new technology that suddenly became a necessary qualification for work. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts that by 2030, the millennial population, or the “digital natives,” will make up 75 percent of the workforce, the first generation to have truly lived through and embraced the digital evolution. The constant digital transformation has been picking up pace rapidly in recent years as technology keeps shifting and opening up new avenues for work just as quickly as it offers itself up as a replacement.
(Image credit – Pexels)
Now while many have worried about how technology might soon entirely replace human labor, the ever-developing future of work has not evolved quite so drastically as to leave human thought and effectivity entirely behind. HR professionals are among the many whose roles in the digital workplace become even more important as technology continues to infiltrate workspaces and complicate the roles of other professionals at work.
The Digital Workplace—What Does it Mean?
There are many components to consider while defining a digital workplace. Living in the modern world today, it’s almost impossible to run a business without at least a basic reliance on technology. Whether you use smartphones to confirm client appointments, computers to track inventories, websites to assist your customers, or media platforms to promote your business, you are a player in the digital field. Most companies rely on technology to a much greater degree, integrating tech into their services or centering their business around offering digital tools and technologies.
Even though most of us tire of this example, the COVID-19 pandemic was a masterclass for all of us, on how easily many of us were able to move our work entirely online. Now we’re surrounded by multiple variants of digital communication channels that demand attention every second of the day. And while the employee experience has been less than stellar in this regard, it’s hard to deny that the future of work is largely digital.
Pitfalls of the Digital Workplace
Yes, technology simplifies our lives in many ways and provides us access to resources like never before, whether that’s information at the touch of a button or therapy online from the comfort of your home. There are simultaneously many drawbacks to being online. Garter, Inc. found that 47 percent of digital workers struggle to find necessary data to perform their jobs effectively, likely due to the constant flood of information to sort through.
A study by Passportphoto Online found that 84 percent of respondents were very comfortable booking and planning their vacations on their smartphones, highlighting how easy it is to plan your travels these days. The study also found that 68 percent of people had to use their smartphones for work while on vacation, and 62 percent of them stated it was tough to actually relax because of the work that found them through the same device. Formulating policies and ensuring a healthy employee experience does fall to HR teams.
In another vein, a study by Global Knowledge found that more than two-thirds of IT decision-makers reported a gap in their team’s skill levels when compared to the knowledge required by them to achieve organizational objectives. The study also reported amid this digital transformation, Blockchain, AI, and cognitive computing knowledge were the top desired skill sets that were also lacking. While it will take a while for the general workforce to skill up, their recruitment and hiring still falls to HR professionals who need to assist existing employees in filling up the gap.
The Evolving Role of HR Professionals in the Digital Workplace
The digital transformation brings a lot of benefits but it also brings up challenges that the HR professionals need to tackle on a daily basis. Teams that become too lax and allow these struggles to build up might find employees burning out and quitting at much faster rates if nothing is done to actively retain them, making it clear that HR managers and members need to stay on their toes to adjust to the digital workplace. As challenging as the task sounds, there is a lot that can be done to ensure they keep up with changing technologies and trends.
- Encourage continuous learning and stay up-to-date with the latest trends and HR technologies
- Conduct continuous assessments of the workforce to assess their requirements
- Customize and provide upskilling courses for employees to help them stay on top of their game whether through digital learning or offline training
- Conduct regular training for HR professionals for the use of technological tools efficiently to ensure they can conduct their jobs smoothly
- Stay involved with the latest digital ventures by the company and its impact on employees
- Collaborate with various departments while conceptualizing digital transformation initiatives and track their impact carefully
- Develop policies for remote work and reassess them regularly to ensure they are covering necessary ground
- Use the latest hiring tools available on the market, whether that’s resume scanning, background screening, tests conducting, online interviews, etc.
- Simplify the onboarding process by creating online resources, streamlining data access, automating training tools, etc.
- Make use of employee management platforms that simplify the process of administrative tasks such as automating payroll distributions, record keeping, promotion scheduling, benefit distribution, etc.
- Feedback systems can be greatly simplified online—conduct employee assessments and track performance regularly
- Implement and enforce policies for digital communication, from appropriate language use to contacting employees after work hours
- Look into well-being initiatives that help employees better navigate the digital workplace
- Implement security measures to safeguard sensitive employee data
- Prioritize cybersecurity best practices and train employees on how to maintain their privacy
- Embrace agile methodologies for HR processes to adapt quickly to changing circumstances
- Leverage technology to engage in DEI initiatives and ensure a diverse workforce
- Experiment, innovate, and take feedback to devise a system that best works for your organization
These strategies are only the tip of the iceberg and HR professionals need to continuously assess the ever-expanding horizons of the digital workplace and the employee experience of it. By maintaining a constant line of communication with employees and senior executives alike, it is up to the HR team to ensure their organization is ready for the future of work. Attending seminars and conventions and networking with other professionals is just one of the many ways for HR managers to adapt to future digital transformations.