The Evolving Role of HR in the Future of Work

The world of work is changing. If you think back to just a few years ago, most people worked in one place, with the same coworkers day after day. Today, we're seeing an increase in temporary workers (which has led to new types of jobs), freelancers who work on-demand, and a rise in remote workers (a trend that is likely here to stay). The result? Organizations are becoming more flexible—and there's an opportunity for HR leaders to help lead the change.

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The rise of on-demand labor and flexible working schedules are considered the biggest changes to the way we work, and think about work. On-demand workers are not employees or contractors, but rather independent contractors who provide services to businesses or individuals as needed. Flexible work currently comes in the form of flexible working hours, working from home opportunities and 4-day working weeks in some countries. 

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The empowerment afforded by this freedom extends beyond schedules and contracts—it affects how employees feel about themselves in general. Workers who are affording flexibility are proven to be happier overall because they have more control over their lives; studies have shown that "employees with greater job autonomy tend to experience higher levels of job satisfaction."

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What does the future of work look like and how will HR be a significant part of it?

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When we talk about the workforce of the future, it's important to remember that this is a collective term. It refers not only to what we might expect organizations’ employees will look like in 10 years or 20 years, but also to how HR professionals will need to adapt their approach when recruiting and training employees for that future.

The reality is that HR has always been part of the continuously developing new world. While its role has evolved over time, it's also proven to be timeless and essential to business success. However, we’re currently in a time of major change when it comes to what work means, how it’s done, measured and managed. This means it's time for HR professionals to start thinking about how they can leverage this new potential to further strengthen their organization’s competitive advantage.

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The role of technology

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In the current world of work, technology has a lot to offer. It can help people do their jobs better, it can make business processes more efficient and it gives us the opportunity to work from anywhere at any time. But how can tech help build the organization of the future? The answer is simple: technology thrives on human interaction. 

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That’s why we should be looking beyond traditional ideas about technology in order to find new ways for HR departments to interact with their employees, customers and partners more effectively.

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The first step in building a workforce of the future is understanding what it will look like. For example, many organizations are already making changes based on their own predictions of how technology may influence certain types of jobs over time. 

Some companies have taken steps toward creating more flexible work environments by allowing employees some degree of autonomy in determining their schedules and locations within their offices; others are considering replacing office cubicles with open floor plans so workers can collaborate more easily across departments; still others have begun investing in automation software that uses machine learning algorithms—such as those used by Google DeepMind—to analyze large volumes of data quickly and keep up with any trends.

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If you're not sure how you fit into this picture, don't worry! We've got some ideas that will help you develop your own strategy for building a thriving workforce in an era:

• ‍Be flexible and agile: In order for your organization to succeed in today’s changing environment, you need the ability to adapt quickly and overcome adversity without losing sight of what matters most—its employees. These qualities go hand in hand with agility: by embracing change rather than resisting it (and by recognizing opportunities). Leaders will find themselves better prepared than ever before when dealing with today's challenges.

• ‍Focus on the future: You might be tempted to focus exclusively on what's happening now, but if you truly want to be successful in this new environment, you need to think about where things are headed and start preparing for what lies ahead. Keep yourself informed about developments in technology and other fields that could impact your business; stay up-to-date on industry trends and news; and develop relationships with other professionals who can help keep you informed of changes that affect your organization.

• ‍Be an innovator: Now more than ever before, businesses have a responsibility to innovate. If you're not constantly coming up with new ways to improve productivity or find new ways to engage your employees then you will be losing out to your competitors.

• ‍Be open to change: The world has changed, and you need to adapt. If your organization is still operating in the same way as it was 10 years ago, it may be time for a new approach. Review what you’re doing and how you’re doing it, conduct surveys to get your employees opinions on their thoughts and implement the change needed to succeed.

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HR is at the forefront of this change, and it’s ready to be part of the future. We are the ones who understand how organizations work best and how to keep them running smoothly. We can help companies grow with new technologies, but we also know that technology alone won’t solve every problem. It’s important for HR leaders to stay focused on what matters most: people. You need human interaction in every aspect of your business.

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Have you had a chance to look into employee engagement within your organization? You can book a free demo today and get to know how our platform can help you achieve your HR goals. 

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