In Part I of this series, we discussed the challenges of too many apps and how this abundance of technology has created the need for HR teams to implement solutions with open architectures that talk to each other and simplify processes.
Too many technology solutions is not just an HR issue, but a challenge impacting most departments in most organizations, and also our personal lives. This overload of technology has resulted in learning to manage our ever-growing email inboxes, ignoring the frequent distractions of notifications and reminders, as well as having to dig through mountains of data to find those valuable morsels within. It is exhausting just thinking about it.
The advancement of technology led to an environment where employees are often expected to be available 24/7 via email, text, or phone—which may lead to employee burnout. The difficulty of attracting and retaining talent makes it even more critical for HR teams to focus on simplifying processes for employees by creating a better employee experience.
PDS understands these challenges and continues to enhance Vista by adding features and functionality to help prevent employee burnout and increase worker productivity while still engaging employees to improve their experience.
Technology has come a long way. Mobile and cloud technologies have provided access to information where and when we need it. Although it can be overwhelming, it also has enabled us to improve workflows and productivity.
Vista Self-Service is a prime example. Providing employees and managers with access to their own HR, benefits, and payroll information gives them the freedom to easily review and modify their personal data. They can do it on their own time from their phone or other mobile device, at the office or at home, without having to wait for the HR team to get the information to them or make a change. Of course, this takes a load off of the HR and Payroll departments, but it also empowers the employees.
Managers can also benefit from self-service. Line managers can more easily manage their direct reports. For example, a manager might be able to initiate requisitions, conduct performance reviews for their staff, and generate reports on-demand in Vista. Manager Self-Service allows them to take ownership of their organization and helps to improve overall efficiencies.
With today’s on-the-go workforce, Vista Mobile enables employees to easily and securely handle tasks that previously weren’t possible without help from HR—such as requesting time off, accessing paycheck details, updating personal data, and quickly performing other self-service requests right from their mobile device. And, managers can keep the process going by approving workflow requests (e.g., vacation requests, pay raises, time entry, or job openings) and quickly accessing staff phone and email information to easily connect with an employee.
Allowing employees and managers to take control and view or modify data no matter where they are, no matter what time it is, and giving them tools, such as wizards that step them through changes to simplify processes, increases productivity for them and for the HR team. This ease of use and flexibility can also alleviate the frustration that can often lead to employee burnout.
Empowering employees and managers with the tools they need to make their lives easier is a critical component for retaining them. Engaging employees for the best possible experience is another important component.
Employees want to feel like a vital part of their organization. By providing the tools to help them interact more within their departments and across their organizations, both employee productivity and engagement will increase. Vista provides an engagement feature called “My Groups” that allows companies, organizations, and teams to share relevant content with their group or more broadly with their peers. This simplifies communications and broadens organization networking.
One of Vista’s employee engagement feature is its “wall,” similar to a Facebook wall. Employees can manage daily tasks and share profile information on the Vista Wall. They might post information such as FAQs, resources, what they are working on that day, etc. It provides a platform for employees to learn more about each other and connect to each other no matter where they are located. Additionally, a “Feedback“ tool can provide an informal way for co-workers to complement each other and feed into a more positive corporate culture.
There is no stopping the growth in technology, which means the increase in emails, data, and distractions will continue; however, HCM solutions today can empower employees with information at their fingertips and improve productivity with more streamlined processes. Eliminating frustrations for employees and providing them with the tools they need to feel like a more valued part of an organization will go a long way to creating an experience that makes these employees stay loyal to your organization.
Click to read our next article in the HCM Challenges in 2020 series—Driving Diversity and Inclusion with Valuable Data.