Don't fall behind with outdated practices...
At Red C, we see the benefits of technology in the workplace every day, from tracking internal tasks using Trello, to communicating instantly using Slack.
Having been a mobile-first company for over 15 years, we understand that now more than ever, the benefits of using digital products in the workplace. Technology is now a way of life for all of us. We wake up to a smartphone alarm, organise plans using a digital calendar, and share information with a tap on social media platforms. Everything is instantaneous. So why have we been so slow at introducing this efficiency to the workplace?
If your company is still using paper-based forms or an internal intranet, this is for you. It’s time to lose outdated practices and engage employees with a bespoke digital platform that can connect people and improve employee performance.
We’ve put together 5 tech trends that we see as a key for your HR strategy in 2018.
One major HR tech trend to introduce to your employees this year is allowing them to work remotely. Employees love working from the comfort of their homes or even a local coffee shop, as this shows that you trust them to produce what is expected, outside the office. Furthermore, providing a flexible working environment shows employees that their wellness beyond the office is important to you, thus providing them with a renewed focus on productivity and commitment to the business.
This is where technology is key. In order to provide a flexible working environment, employers must ensure that employees can access all the documentation they need to carry out their day to day tasks from anywhere with an internet connection. All client files, company policies, proposals, contracts and more should be stored securely on an internal database that can be easily accessed.
In fact, some mobile apps for larger companies have different user levels that hold information that is specifically relevant to that person. For example, user level, admin level, super admin level etc. This simplifies the process of accessing information for any given user.
In the past two decades, the volume of employees who have worked at least partially by telecommuting has quadrupled. With video conferencing and collaboration tools evolving every year, this trend will only continue on the upswing. And with this comes a boost of job satisfaction through a better work-life balance.
Another HR tech trend for 2018 is encouraging employees to learn through online training. Not only does this allow employees to expand their knowledge and acquire qualifications in their own time, but it reduced the amount of time that is taken out of their working hours. Therefore it is a win-win situation for both employer and employee.
Most recently, Red C created a database for Barts Health, the largest NHS trust in the UK, serving 2.5 million people. Busy NHS staff at Barts Health staff were struggling to take time off the front line in order to complete mandatory training. Barts chose to work with Red C to develop an app to work on iOS, Android, and Windows, with the aim of saving valuable time taken to attend training courses.
The development of an app has provided NHS staff with flexibility overtraining, enabling them to complete modules anywhere and at any time. This improved accessibility has seen compliance with statutory training reach a record 93%. Find out more here
This is just one example, in one industry of how an internal digital solution could improve employee efficiency and satisfaction. This solution can be applied to any role that needs any specific training.
With GDPR on the horizon this May, it is essential to protect and manage customer and employee data.
All businesses must ensure they receive permission from individuals to store their personal information, keep them updated on what you will be using it for, and provide them with the option to opt out.
This year, individual’s private information is being taken much more seriously, thus HR departments need to start taking steps to become GDPR compliant. Without realising, many businesses accumulate personal data that is no longer required. Therefore it is important to have policies in place that implement the destruction of old data. In fact, Red C are currently working with a team of lawyers to become GDPR compliant and help our clients do so too.
This is a huge tech trend for 2018, meaning that HR departments must keep track of information that would usually be difficult to locate. And of course, there are lots of different pieces of information that HR Managers hold concerning each individual, from their sick leave pay, holiday requests, travel expenses and more.
Investing in an online tool to help you keep track of this information and when it becomes outdated could be the answer to your company’s privacy policies.
Surprisingly, email is still the most common form of communication the workplace. However, with the rise of online tools Facebook for business, employees and clients can now share and receive information instantly. Like most popular communication platforms, users can create their own channels and add others. For example “X Project” This means that every person involved in X project is kept updated with what is going on with all aspects of that project.
As well as this, if you are a larger company, it may sometimes be difficult to share information across different departments efficiently. With an internal digital platform, information can be shared much more easily with a push notification if it is urgent or regulatory.
Another HR tech trend this year to keep up with is introducing an employee benefits scheme. As previously mentioned, employees are much more likely to be productive if they feel like their work is appreciated.
All companies offer a pension scheme, but what about other benefits such as offering a corporate gym membership, private medical insurance or a travel scheme such a ‘Cycle to Work’. These examples all show employees that you care about their well-being outside the office.
Having an internal digital platform means that employees can see what is being offered and how they can claim benefits. It also allows HR Managers to manage benefit claims.
Overall, HR is changing to please a new generation of employees. Those now beginning their careers have high expectations for their work-life balance and will not hesitate to jump ship if they are unhappy. Good employees expect to be rewarded for their efforts and what better way to do so than to introduce a mobile app that allows efficiency and recognition.
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Red-C's ability to take our brand and creative drive and run with it was ultimately what they delivered on. The expectations were set high and they nailed it.