OCTOBER 2019HR TECH OUTLOOK8In MyOpinionAs the demands of employees continue to evolve, new and emerging technologies are driving the way businesses engage with the workforce. From on-boarding to collaborating, analysing high performers' characteristics, and communicating, the way we engage with our employees is changing at a fast pace. Historically when people went into companies, there were stacks of documents to read, sign, and hand over to the HR department as part of their on-boarding process. But that is all changing, and businesses are now facilitating the whole on-boarding process through new technologies. It is now possible to give new employees the most up-to-date policies and receive their documents back with a digital signature even before they physically start work. Companies are now using Robotic Process Automation (RPA) tech to define workflows for the on-boarding of employees and can use bots to automatically set-up directory accounts, order company laptops, and set-up phone numbers and email addresses for their new starters. This all means that on day one, not only do new employees know about the organization, but they have all the tools required to let them get started.Improving CollaborationBusinesses are now looking to bring a sense of community to the workforce; and for contractors and employees who work in teams spread across the world, apps can do that. People can now share their experiences and knowledge about their field of expertise through these platforms. It not only means that they can come to work and perform their roles, but they can also learn from and inform their peer groups. Many contractors and employees work from remote locations and can be based on-site with clients, which means in the past engagement and making them feel part of the company has been a lot tougher. Using mobile apps allows employees and contractors to know exactly where they will be going, as well as providing customer contacts, phone numbers, instant messaging, and access to the back-end systems so they can view timesheets and pending approvals.Driving employee engagement through techIt is not about becoming `Big Brother'--business leaders are very conscious of protecting customers, candidates, and employees while leveraging data to help them all succeedJason Borstal, Chief Information Officer, SThree [LON: STHR]ByJason Borstal
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