Applying Tech Innovations in People & Organization: The Delicate Balance of Automation and Human Interaction
Introduction
The role of technology in modern People & Organization management is a subject of endless debate. As departments are faced with understaffing and a push towards innovation, tech solutions like chatbots and employee self-service platforms are rapidly being adopted. However, a critical question arises: Is technology helping People & Organization become more efficient, or is it eroding the essential human element? In this blog post, I’ll try to dive deeper into this dilemma and discuss how to strike the right balance.
The Allure of Efficiency
People & Organization departments are often understaffed, leading to a natural inclination to automate tasks. Automation technologies like chatbots and self-service platforms are proving to be popular choices for this very reason. These solutions promise efficiency and offer immediate answers to common employee queries, freeing staff from answering the same questions and filling out the same information.
The Double-Edged Sword of Employee Self-Service
While the advent of employee self-service portals has streamlined many People & Organization functions, from leave applications to benefits enrollment, it comes at a cost. Such platforms, although highly efficient, reduce the opportunities for People & Organization professionals to interact with team members, and feel the pulse of the Company. As a result, departments are resorting to sending out engagement surveys to gauge the workplace environment. Unfortunately, in the absence of a trusting relationship with the human beings behind these surveys, employees are less likely to provide honest, meaningful feedback.
The Importance of Human Touch
In my opinion, the primary focus of People & Organization tech should be on automating the routine and mundane aspects of operations. This will allow People & Organization professionals to devote their time to understanding the unique needs, motivations, talents, and potential of every employee in the organization. It's imperative for HR team to be liberated from constantly juggling Excel spreadsheets and PowerPoint slide decks so they can focus on what truly matters: people.
The Staffing Quandary in People & Organization
One significant obstacle to fostering closer relationships with the organizational community lies in outdated staffing models within the People & Organization department. The ratio of People Partners to team members is a critical factor in determining the quality and depth of engagement. If a single People Partner is tasked with managing the needs and expectations of 500 employees, for example, it becomes nearly impossible to build meaningful relationships or to truly understand individual needs, motivations, and talents.
The Call for Staffing Reform
Given the increasingly complex demands placed on People & Organization professionals—from compliance and risk management to employee engagement and talent development—it's time to reconsider how these departments are staffed. A more balanced ratio of People Partners to team members would not only improve the quality of service but also enhance the department's ability to make a meaningful impact on the organizational community.
The Road to Meaningful Work in People & Organization
Technology can certainly assist in automating routine tasks, but it should be a tool, not a replacement for human interaction. People & Organization professionals are not just administrators; they are also counselors, mentors, and strategists. They need to maintain a deep connection with the organizational community to understand its pulse and to guide it effectively. By freeing themselves from mundane tasks, they can foster a culture of meaningful engagement, employee growth, and organizational success.
Conclusion: A Balanced Future
As we march further into the digital age, People & Organization departments must carefully assess which tasks to automate and which require the irreplaceable nuance and empathy that only humans can provide. A balanced approach will enable People & Organization to utilize technology to its fullest potential, without compromising on the quality of human relationships.
After all, at the heart of every organization are its people, and it's crucial that technology serves to enhance, rather than diminish, this human element. The future of People & Organization lies in successfully balancing the efficiency of automation with the depth of human understanding, creating a more harmonious and productive work environment for all.
