Dynamic HR management: Digital, Remote, and Automated

When the pandemic broke, remote work rose to the top of the HR agenda, prompting the need for accelerated digitalisation.

In the post-pandemic landscape, employers must stay on top of the latest trends and consider how a digital solution could make work easier for employees, because it is becoming increasingly clear that productivity is not dependent on working in the office.

Workers are no longer bound to a specific location

The past year brought sweeping changes, not least in work culture. In Singapore, 49% of the workforce worked remotely in 2020, according to the Ministry of Manpower. What’s more, 90% of the workforce wish to continue working from home to some degree, according to The Straits Times, since it means flexible hours, better work-life balance, and less time commuting.

There have also been important implications for employers in Singapore. Many took the opportunity to downsize their physical office space and lower costs, improving scalability. With jobseekers no longer bound by location, some local employers are also hiring from new job markets, giving them access to a wider talent pool. This marked a clear shift towards digitalisation and virtual workplaces.

Agile HR onboarding

Facilitating a remote workforce means implementing decentralised onboarding, since some remote workers might never enter their employer’s premises. Having the right infrastructure in place is crucial, including equipment and remote access to the right tools. Many Singaporeans reported that being unable to effectively communicate with senior management and not being equipped with the right tools to work from home affected their productivity. According to the Workforce Mindset study carried out by Alight, 8 out of 10 respondents require a fast and reliable internet connection and access to all of their work tools in order to work efficiently from home.

Interpersonal relationships between colleagues are also suffering, especially with virtual onboarding. According to The Era of Agile HR, also by Alight, many respondents preferred meeting face-to-face over video conferencing. This is where a policy combining both office and remote work might be good for both structured routine and a good work-life balance.

Greater focus thanks to automated HR data management

Digitalisation and automation have transformed the way many traditional jobs are carried out. Our The Era of Agile HR report shows that It is estimated that at least a third of these tasks will be automated in 60% of workplaces by 2025, leaving employees in need of new skills. Accordingly, around 40% of today's qualifications are expected to change.

In Singapore, HR teams spend about 50% of their time processing data and answering queries. Automated HR systems could help cut down on paperwork, reduce errors and give employees control over their own personal data and leave allocation. They also empower employers to make data-driven decisions in terms of staff development and training. 

New communication tools facilitate remote work

Telephone and email are no longer enough in the modern workplace. During the pandemic, 80% of working Singaporeans relied on telecommuting for work, with digital platforms like instant messaging, chatbots for general inquiries or video conferencing and collaboration tools becoming the new norm.

The pandemic saw many companies introduce new remote communication tools. Meetings are being replaced by virtual conference rooms, and cameras are the new facilitator of interpersonal connections. This is particularly important for fostering team cohesion with new employees who onboarded remotely. Even so, the switch to completely virtual communication was challenging for many members of the workforce during the pandemic.

Digital innovations for virtual employee management

Companies with cloud-based HCM (Human Capital Management) systems have the advantage. These incorporate tools for easily managing personnel and tracking their qualifications, training and professional development.

• HCM tools can also be used to identify appropriate training for specific positions. This enables HR to control the effective positioning of employees for a greater competitive edge.
• Continuous Performance Management (CPM) tools also make remote management easier for companies, enabling employees and managers to regularly view or change their goals. They also allow for goals, training and development offer to be constantly optimised. These tools are particularly useful for employers transitioning to remote work, generating invaluable data that will allow companies to identify HR needs and respond with agility through training and recruitment.

The future of HR is digital

Automation is here to stay. The way we build employee experiences is shifting, and many companies are moving away from traditional employer-employee relationships towards greater personal autonomy. COVID-19 could prove to be the catalyst for these changes, if not the driver of digital transformation.

The coming years will see a greater demand for remote work experience and virtual management skills in leadership positions. HR systems are also playing an increasingly important role in helping team leaders manage employees. Companies struggling to manage their employees virtually will need to upgrade their IT infrastructure and digital tools in order to keep up with remote work and automation. New technologies like VR (virtual reality) will also play an increasingly important role in the future of corporate communication.