What Does the HR Toolkit of the Future Look Like?

The current dynamic workplace that can sustain the impact of the future of work demands a vibrant and layered HR toolkit. We explore this ever-evolving space with Tanya Staples, VP Product, Learning Content at LinkedIn, covering 10 technologies that will shape HR toolkits of the future.

With a tightening labor economy and the increasing demand for specific skill sets, the spotlight is now on HR to lead teams into the future of work. An effective and robust HR function supported by leadership is critical to organizational success. As a result, HR practitioners must look toward adopting the latest tech, simplifying existing processes on the one hand and opening new paths for value addition on the other. 

We spoke to Tanya Staples, VP Product, Learning Content at LinkedIn, to explore how HR can navigate this shift and what the HR toolkit of the future should look like. 

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“To retain a successful workforce, it’s important to create an environment that gives employees a sense of purpose, where the organization flourishes because people are recognized for what they are best at, and are given the opportunities to learn and grow,” Staples explained. 

Future work environments will depend on the following technological tenets: 

• Software-as-a-Service (SaaS) products on the cloud: HR practitioners are looking for more efficient and scalable models of adoption. Instead of on-premises and licensed software, SaaS enables a flexible, monthly subscription alternative. This is why SaaS adoption in HR is expected to doubleOpens a new window , going from 13% in 2018 to 26% in 2020. 
   
• Data as a key driver of digital transformation: Tomorrow’s HR practitioners will leverage data to inform every decision. Employee experience, learning impact, performance management, and candidate relationships will all hinge on data-driven insights. “This is where technologies like GlintOpens a new window [a people success platform], that empower companies with the actionable data they need to understand what their employees think and feel, and online learning tools, such as LinkedIn Learning, become even more important,” mentioned Staples. 

So, what are the components that should feature in every HR toolkit in 2020 and beyond? We believe that a combination of automation, artificial intelligence, and human-centric innovations is on the cards. 

10 Elements that Will Define the HR Toolkit of the Future 

Technology adoption is directly linked to employee engagement, productivity, and retention. “Providing technologies such as online learning not only attracts, retains, and engages employees but it helps them build the skills for the future of work,” said Staples. For instance, a Glint studyOpens a new window found that 94% of employees would stay in an organization that invests in learning and development (L&D) technology. 

Apart from this, organizations must look at a variety of rapidly evolving (and some still nascent) technologies to re-envision HR for the future. Together, these elements are poised to create a game-changing HR toolkit.

1. Robotic recruiters will share HR responsibilities

The recruitment automation trend has been around for a while now, and robotic recruiters will take this to the next level. Recently, an AI robot, TengaiOpens a new window , was unveiled that enables automated and unbiased interviews. This is an industry-first, pioneered by Swedish staffing experts and robotics engineers. 

2. Everything will include an analytics layer

As mentioned, data-driven decision making is integral to the modern HR toolkit. Built-in analytics converts raw data into comprehensible business dashboards, enabling better decisions in recruitment, employee engagement, recognition, and even collaboration. So, from recruitment to engagement to offboarding, expect to have it all driven by analytics.

3. Remote-native HR toolkits will take center stage

The global distributed workforce is steadily growing, with at least 16% of companies now fully remoteOpens a new window . Solutions that help to simplify life as a remote team manager Opens a new window will become part of every organization’s tech stack. This includes digital workplaces, collaboration tools, and remote worker-specific engagement platforms. 

4. The HR toolkit will span a broader workforce demographics

As organizations open their doors to talent outside their immediate payroll, HR must adapt accordingly. Tools for external workers such as flexible payroll, outcome-based compensation, and alumni engagement will become part of the standard HR toolkit. 

5. AR and VR will reshape employee experiences

We have already seen instances of augmented and mixed reality in the workplace. VR can help in unconscious bias trainingOpens a new window , AR can help to onboard remote employees, and L&D in specific sectors such as manufacturing and retail can be reimagined. Tomorrow’s HR toolkits will position these mixed reality solutions as key drivers. 

6. Chatbots will offer meaningful conversations

Chatbots have immense potential in the HR space. They can be used to screen and shortlist candidates, at least at the first level. When used alongside SaaS products, bots can guide the adoption and ease the learning curve. You can also imagine coaching bots that take employees through an entire L&D module, acting as one-on-one tutors to some extent. 

7. Document management systems will offer centralized visibility

As organizations move towards a digital, paperless future, document management systems will be essential for HR practitioners. This can be linked with employee self-service portals, empowering the workforce and reducing HR workloads at one go.   

8. Video conferencing will become smarter and seamless

Video conferencing is already a vital component in most HR toolkits. However, the rise of distributed workers means that video will become more important than ever before. Video on mobile, rich collaboration capabilities and on-demand analytics are some of the elements that define the HR toolkit of the future. 

9. IoT-ized products will unlock new areas of value

The Internet of Things (IoT) is among the top technology trends changing how businesses operate. For HR, a wearable linked to smartphones can help optimize employee health and wellness. Biometrics embedded time & attendance systems can accurately track productivity, curbing tardiness in the workplace, Opens a new window and instances of poor work-life balance. 

10. Real-time interactions will be the “new normal”

Interactions such as performance reviews, employee feedback, and recognition will become close to real-time. Employees are rapidly looking for alternatives to annual/biannual reviews and milestone-based recognition. Future HR toolkits will let employees share a quick pat on the back for a job well done, immediately highlight gaps in performance, and support employees in their quest for sustained and consistent performance.

Learn More: The Future of Virtual Reality in the WorkplaceOpens a new window

The New Workplace Is Primarily Employee-Focused 

The modern workforce is eager to find purpose and meaning in what they do every day. So, HR toolkits are now beginning to comprise solutions that pay attention to the holistic employee experience, including learning, development, wellness, and satisfaction – beyond just compensation. This is critical in the digital era. 

As Staples mentioned, “As the impact of automation looms and skills gaps grow, it’s more important than ever for HR to help employees build the skills they need for the future.” On this roadmap, we will see HR tapping into innovations like IoT, mixed reality, analytics, AI, and chatbots to deliver informative, engaging, and enriching employee experiences. 

What is the unique composition of your HR toolkit? Share your thoughts with us on FacebookOpens a new window , LinkedInOpens a new window , or TwitterOpens a new window . We would love to hear from you