Technology has the capacity to help everyone improve task efficiency. This is no different for employers, who can enhance the employee experience while increasing productivity and retention rates with the right technology. Read along and watch our webinar to learn how your company can use these tools to take your culture to the next level.
Understanding the link between technology and the employee experience
Attend this webinar to learn how self-service technology lifts your employee experience while minimizing costly payroll errors.
As the digital transformation continues to shape the workplace, choosing the right tech has become more important than ever.
Employees want personalized tech that makes life easier, and your organization should want it, too.
Ernst & Young (EY) reports 1 in 5 payrolls contain errors. Each error costs a business $291 on average and costs employees even more. The importance of meeting employees’ basic needs and keeping them engaged has never been clearer.
In this webinar, hear from an HR expert as they discuss how to have a satisfied workforce by:
- identifying what your employees need from HR tech
- prioritizing digital transformation for employee well-being
- creating better experiences to meet evolving employee expectations
Meet Steve Boese for an Expert Take on How Technology Shapes the Employee Experience
Steve Boese is co-founder of H3 HR Advisors, the program chair and host of the HR Technology Conference and a columnist for Human Resource Executive® magazine. He is also a frequent speaker and author on topics in human resources, HR technology and the workplace. Boese co-hosts the At Work in America podcast, part of the HR Happy Hour Media Network and the longest-running and most downloaded podcast in the human resources field. In 2022, he co-created and launched Workplace Minute, the evolution of the HR Happy Hour show on Alexa, the first HR podcast for Amazon Alexa-enabled devices.
HRCI and SHRM Recertification Credits
This webinar has been approved for recertification credits through HRCI and SHRM. Recertification codes will be provided at the end of this program. Candidates are responsible for documenting and manually entering their attendance into their records.
What is employee experience technology?
The employee experience encompasses all interactions and emotions an employee has during their time with an organization. This includes an employee’s experiences with recruitment, onboarding, peer relationships, career milestones, company processes and tools as well as their overall impression of their time at the company. Employee experience technology includes the tools and systems employees regularly interact with that impact how they feel about their job and their employer.
How does technology help improve employee experience?
Modern technology has reduced the time required for mandatory processes. But how exactly can employers measure their employee experience and improve it with technology?
Here are some tools employers can use to provide a positive and productive experience for their employees.
Employee engagement tools
Employee engagement tools promote engagement, feedback and collaboration across the organization. By providing valuable insights into the workforce through regular pulse surveys, these tools help employers identify gaps and take appropriate measures. Engagement tools can also include technology facilitating feedback, praise and celebrations of important achievements. When used intentionally, employee engagement tools improve morale while aligning with a company’s values, vision and mission. Paycom’s engagement surveys, for example, can be customized to capture the information needed to support employee retention at your organization.
Data management tools
Common types of data management systems for HR include human capital management systems (HCMs)/human resources information systems (HRIS), enterprise resource planning (ERP) solutions and customer relationship management (CRM) tools. If managers, HR and leadership closely monitor the adoption rate of these tools by tracking usage, they can target areas where employees need support, reminders and additional training. By continuously seeking feedback from users regarding these tools and their functionality, employers identify and make needed improvements to boost employee satisfaction related to these tools.
Time management tools
Tracking time and productivity with time management tools impacts how employees feel about the company. If they aren’t user-friendly, employees may experience undue stress or feel as though their employer doesn’t value them enough to invest in a proper solution. Employees’ performance may also suffer if they must constantly spend time escalating system issues and requesting corrections on their hourly or project-specific time sheets. By providing employees with an intuitive, accurate time-tracking system and taking the time to train them on its use, HR facilitates the best possible employee experience as it relates to time management tools.
Communication tools
Internal communication tools such as instant messaging applications play a large role in the employee experience. These popular applications keep stakeholders in the loop on project-specific, team and general communications. They also facilitate social channels for sharing personal interests and achievements and even photos of kids and pets. Many companies have instant messaging channels dedicated to positive vibes, kudos and important industry updates. Other helpful channels share job-related resources and fixes for customer problems. Making sure your onboarding checklist includes an overview of these important tools and employees are provided with access on their first day is also critical to a positive employee experience.
Workforce management tools
Workforce management tools help employers recruit the right talent for organizational success. They also help track employee performance accurately to ensure optimal resource utilization. Tools that manage 360-degree performance reviews, for example, can keep employees feeling connected, heard and appreciated. When used correctly, workforce management tools keep everyone aligned and improve company outcomes.
Why does technology matter in employee experience?
Almost everyone uses technology for one or more of their daily tasks. Employers in particular are trying to find the right technology to elevate their employees’ experience, which in turn can help increase productivity and retention rates.
Here’s how employee experience technology can benefit the organization:
Enhancing employee engagement
With technology, employees and employers can stay more connected. This provides a positive, well-rounded experience for employees throughout their time at the company.
Supporting a positive work culture
When processes are streamlined, employees are less likely to burn out or have excessive workloads, creating a healthy and positive work culture and environment.
Promoting communication
Many employers have teams spread out globally, but with modern technology, many communication platforms can help them connect with fellow employees instantly, regardless of their location.
Improving retention
Technology makes life easier for both employees and employers. When employees are happy with their workplace, it increases their retention rate.
Enabling data-driven decision-making
Technology and tools help employers gather feedback, data and insights into what’s happening in the workplace, which in turn helps them make better decisions.
Elements of the employee experience
Let’s examine the different elements of employee experience that shape an employee’s path within the organization.
Work culture and environment
Work culture and environment have a huge impact on employee well-being. Employers need to make their organization a place where employees can feel safe. If an employee is surrounded by a positive culture and work environment safe from harassment, bullying, etc., they’re more likely to give their all and stay with the organization long term. Positive work culture improves employee satisfaction, productivity and morale.
Company mission and values
It is important for employers to have a clear understanding of their company’s mission and values and convey them to their employees so everyone can be well-informed, share a sense of purpose and collectively work toward organizational success.
Work-life balance
Employers should understand the importance of providing the right work-life balance, which will ultimately help them retain their top talent and keep their employees happy. With the right work-life balance, employees can feel at ease at work and avoid burnout.
Professional development and career growth
Every employee has an ambition to grow within the organization and develop professionally. Employers should work to create a well-thought-out plan for employees on how they can grow from one level to the next and achieve their professional and financial goals.
Employer relationship
Fostering good relationships with employees can lead to a productive work environment and successful business. Employers should encourage employees to come to them if they’re facing any issues so they can be addressed with open communication.
Team relationships
Relationships with colleagues and other team members are important in building and maintaining a positive work culture. To help lift the organization’s employee experience, employees should make an effort to be supportive of their colleagues.
Professional recognition
Being recognized for achievements plays an important role in keeping morale high throughout any organization. Employers should encourage managers and leaders to recognize achievements and give shoutouts to employees, as this positively contributes to morale, productivity and workplace satisfaction.
Total compensation
Offering only a positive work culture is not enough. Every employee works hard to afford the best quality of life possible. Employers should offer a competitive package of total compensation that includes benefits, PTO, etc. All of this can contribute to an enhanced employee experience.
Technology adoption
Technology improves employee experience and makes work easier by reducing the time taken on tasks, making processes seamless and promoting transparency.
How technology relates to employee experience
Modern technology has made it easier for employees to perform their duties, receive assistance, deliver faster turnaround times and have greater satisfaction and happiness with their employers. Let’s look at a few ways technology improves the employee experience.
Lower turnaround time
Technology helps employees get work done faster and improve their experience, which also helps create smoother processes. For example, using Excel allows employees to apply formulas to all relevant cells at the same time instead of repeatedly doing manual calculations.
Better communication
Using modern technology is a great way to promote a positive employee experience while bridging the gap between employees working in physically separate locations.
Reduced errors
Using technology helps reduce errors by simplifying manual or repetitive tasks.
Encouraging self-service
Technology has made administration easier by allowing employees to add and amend their own information within the systems used by their organization. For example, HRIS systems allow employees with their self-service feature to onboard themselves by adding their personal information and banking details.
Increase productivity
Using tools that help reduce the burden on employees directly affects productivity and contributes to organizational success. Productivity increases in a workplace where employees are treated fairly and enjoy a positive, nurturing experience.
Increased retention and satisfaction
When technology is used correctly, it gives employees control over the information they work with. When they have a sense of ownership, they are more likely to find satisfaction in their work, directly increasing the retention rate for the organization.
Improved employee feedback
Quality employee feedback is critical to understanding what’s happening in the organization and dealing with potential issues before they become actual problems. Technology allows employers to gather feedback with questionnaires and surveys so they can make better decisions.
