You’ve probably noticed some big changes in how companies operate over the past couple of years. The global pandemic accelerated the move to remote and hybrid work models, forcing HR departments to adapt quickly. As an HR professional, you had to figure out new ways to onboard employees, track productivity, ensure collaboration, and support employee wellbeing from a distance.
Luckily, there are powerful HR technologies designed specifically for the challenges of hybrid work. These tools can help you seamlessly manage a remote workforce, keep culture strong across locations, tap into data for smarter decisions, and personalize the employee experience. The role of HR tech is more critical than ever in this new world of work.
In this article, we’ll explore some of the top HR technologies for hybrid work models and how they can benefit both HR professionals and employees. Get ready to discover tools that can take your company’s remote workforce management, culture building, data utilization, and employee experience to the next level. The future of work is here, and HR tech is leading the way.
The Rise of Hybrid and Remote Work Models
The rise of hybrid and remote work models means HR tech is more important than ever. With employees spread out, you need solutions to keep everyone connected and engaged.
Communication and Collaboration Tools:
Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom make it easy to chat, video call, and work together from anywhere. Using a common platform keeps remote and hybrid teams in sync. Integrations with task management software streamline workflows across locations.
About 75% of employees rate teamwork and collaboration as being very important. 56% of employers use online collaboration tools and social media to communicate with employees. 86% of employees in leadership positions blame lack of collaboration as the top reason for workplace failures.
Cloud-Based HR Software:
HR tech has moved to the cloud, giving you a single place to handle payroll, benefits, performance reviews, and more no matter where people work. Employees can access information, submit requests, and stay up to date from any device. Meanwhile, HR has full visibility and control over data and processes.
Employee Engagement and Wellness:
It is reported that 89% of employees working for companies with wellness programs are engaged and happy with their job. With less in-person interaction, technology helps keep the human element. Employee engagement apps provide a way for people to give feedback, share wins, and strengthen connections. Wellness platforms offer resources for physical and mental health. Gamification features tap into motivation and fun.
Workplaces with engaged teams demonstrated 21% higher profitability. Healthy employees are higher and demonstrate higher rates of engagement and productivity at the workplace. Teams that exhibited higher levels of engagement also showcased a 41% reduction in absenteeism and a whopping 59% in employee turnover.
Data and Analytics:
Powerful analytics embedded in HR tech delivers insights to optimize your hybrid model. See how collaboration and productivity tools are being used. Track employee sentiment and satisfaction. Get recommendations to improve experiences. The right data helps you make the best decisions for your distributed workforce.
HR tech was already transforming the employee experience. Now, it’s enabling the hybrid work models that will shape the future. With the help of technology, people can work together from anywhere. And that’s powerful.
Challenges of Managing a Hybrid Workforce
Managing a hybrid workforce comes with its challenges. As an HR professional, your job is to ensure all employees, whether working remotely or on-site, feel engaged and supported.
Communication is key:
With some staff in the office and others at home, effective communication is essential. Regular video calls, emails, and messaging help keep everyone in the loop and connected. Be transparent about expectations, priorities, and any policy or procedural changes. According to research conducted by US firm Gartner, poor communication is responsible for 70% of corporate errors.
Workplace communication statistics show that 86% of employees and executives cite the lack of effective collaboration and communication as the main causes of workplace failures. On the other hand, teams who communicate effectively may increase their productivity by as much as 25%.
Provide the right tools:
Make sure all employees have access to the necessary technology, software, and platforms to do their jobs efficiently from any location. Things like a laptop, secure network access, video conferencing, and cloud storage are must-haves. Offer tutorials or tech support as needed.
92% of employees believe that well-planned employee training programs have a positive impact on their level of engagement, and companies with strong training programs see a 218% increase in income per employee and 24% higher profit margins.
Promote inclusiveness:
It can be easy for remote workers to feel isolated or left out. Make an effort to include them in meetings, brainstorming sessions, team-building events, and informal chats. Recognize and celebrate their contributions and wins, just as you would for on-site staff.
Evaluate productivity objectively:
When managing hybrid teams, evaluate work productivity based on output and outcomes rather than physical presence or number of hours logged. Set clear expectations and metrics to assess performance objectively for all employees, regardless of work location. Offer feedback and coaching as needed to ensure every team member is contributing fully.
With open communication, the right tools, an inclusive environment, and fair performance evaluation, you can successfully lead a hybrid workforce where all employees feel motivated, valued and part of the team. The benefits of a flexible, productive, and highly-engaged staff are well worth the effort.
How HR Tech Enables the Hybrid Work Model
The hybrid work model, with employees splitting time between the office and working remotely, relies heavily on HR tech to enable its success. HR tech refers to the software, platforms, and systems that help HR professionals manage essential tasks like:
- Recruiting and hiring qualified candidates
- Onboarding new hires
- Tracking employee data, schedules, and performance
- Facilitating internal communications
Enables Remote Hiring and Onboarding:
Using an applicant tracking system (ATS), HR teams can post jobs to multiple sites with one click and screen candidates from anywhere. They can also onboard new hires remotely using e-signatures for paperwork and video calls for orientations.
Supports Flexible Work Schedules:
With schedule management software, employees can swap shifts, request time off, and indicate which days they’ll work from home or the office. Managers then have an overview to ensure proper coverage and productivity.
Streamlines Internal Communications:
Messaging platforms give employees an easy way to connect with colleagues and managers whether working remotely or on-site. HR tech also includes project management tools, video conferencing for meetings, and document collaboration software so people can work together from multiple locations.
Provides Insights Through Analytics:
Many HR tech platforms offer analytics and reporting to help optimize key processes. For example, HR can see how long it takes to fill certain roles on average or how employee satisfaction and retention correlate with different factors like manager quality or work schedule flexibility. These insights help shape better strategies and policies.
HR technology has enabled the hybrid work model and will continue evolving to support this new way of operating. By investing in the right tools and learning how to use them strategically, HR teams can facilitate a smooth transition to hybrid work. The key is choosing software and systems that fit your organization’s unique needs and culture.
Top HR Tech Solutions for Remote Employee Management
As companies adapt to hybrid work models with both remote and in-office employees, HR tech solutions are critical for managing remote workers effectively. Here are some of the top HR tech tools for remote employee management:
Cloud-Based HR Software:
Cloud-based HR software like Workday, SAP SuccessFactors, and BambooHR allow employees to access HR systems from anywhere. This means remote employees can update profiles, request time off, view pay stubs, and more without coming into the office. For HR managers, these systems provide a single source of truth for employee data.
Virtual Collaboration Tools:
Tools like Slack, Microsoft Teams, and Zoom facilitate communication and collaboration between remote and in-office employees. Video conferencing, instant messaging, and file sharing capabilities keep everyone connected. Regular virtual meetings, especially one-on-ones with remote employees, are key.
56% of employers use online collaboration tools and social media to communicate with employees.
Performance Management Platforms:
Performance management platforms enable goal setting, continuous feedback, and performance reviews for all employees regardless of location. Managers can set key performance indicators, provide real-time feedback, and evaluate remote employees through 360 reviews, self-assessments, and regular check-ins.
According to 2022 statistics, it has been noted that around 51% of employees prefer in switching their workplace. 2022 also reflected that this PM system enabled 68% of employee retention and 56% enhanced the recruitment process.
Project Management Systems:
Web-based project management systems such as Asana, Trello, and Basecamp improve visibility into workloads, deadlines, and key deliverables across locations. By centralizing task lists, schedules, files, and communications in one place, these tools help ensure remote employees stay on track and aligned with organizational objectives.
Time Tracking Software:
Time tracking software logs hours worked by remote employees for payroll, billing, and productivity monitoring. Many solutions like Clockify and Time Doctor capture screenshots, keyboard activity, and URLs visited to provide insight into how remote employees are spending their time. This type of monitoring builds trust and accountability.
With the right HR tech in place, remote employees can feel connected, engaged, and set up for success regardless of physical location. HR tools that improve communication, collaboration, performance management, and visibility are key to managing a hybrid workforce.
Creating a Seamless Employee Experience in the Hybrid Work Era
In the hybrid work era, creating a seamless employee experience is crucial. Employees working from home some days and in the office other days will come to expect the same level of support and access to resources regardless of where they’re working.
Providing Access From Anywhere:
With cloud-based HR technology, employees can access services like payroll, benefits, training, and performance reviews from anywhere. Look for solutions that offer:
- Mobile apps in addition to web portals so employees can tap into HR tools on the go.
- Single sign-on (SSO) to minimize the number of passwords needed to access different systems.
- An interface that looks and functions the same whether logging in from home or the office.
Streamlining Communication:
Effective communication is key to keeping hybrid teams engaged and aligned. HR tech should facilitate consistent messaging across locations. Things like:
- Email newsletters, push notifications and chat features to share company news and updates in real time.
- Virtual town halls, all-hands meetings and employee resource groups via video conferencing tools.
- Anonymous feedback channels where people can ask questions and provide input no matter where they’re working from.
Monitoring Productivity and Performance:
With some employees out of sight, it can be challenging to gage productivity, work quality and job satisfaction. HR technology provides insight into:
- Project progress and task completion through work management platforms.
- Employee sentiment through short pulse surveys.
- Performance and goal progress using continuous performance management software.
- Time tracking to understand how people are balancing work and personal time in a hybrid arrangement.
Using data and analytics, HR leaders can gain visibility into how employees are adapting to hybrid work and make adjustments to technology, policies and culture as needed to optimize the employee experience. Creating an equitable and seamless experience will be key to supporting a hybrid workforce in the long run.
Conclusion
HR technology plays a crucial role in enabling the hybrid work model. The right solutions can help address challenges related to remote productivity, culture, collaboration, and employee experience. Additionally, they empower HR teams to drive strategic priorities in a distributed world. The future of work relies on a hybrid approach, with technology at its core. However, technology alone is not sufficient. To thrive in a hybrid work environment, organizations must embrace a flexible culture that empowers individuals and teams. They need to redefine workplace relationships and trust their employees.
Hybrid work is here to stay. With the support of HR technology and a willingness to adapt, companies can create a future of work that is both productive and human-centered. Although the role of the office and our connection to work may be evolving, our need for purpose and connection remains constant. Hybrid work offers the best of both worlds, making it a worthwhile investment.
