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HR professionals are more likely to be experiencing the benefits of automation in their roles than any other professional in the UK, but more than a third think the pace of technological change in their organisation is slow. This is according to Hays’ What workers want 2019 report, which found administrative tasks had decreased because of greater automation for almost half (49%) of HR employers and 30% of HR professionals. This is compared with an average of 36% of employers and 23% of professionals across all sectors who found the same. However, 34% of HR departments still indicated that their organisation was slow to adapt to new technologies. A lack of skills from current staff was the main barrier to greater automation, as cited by 59%, while 41% said there was a lack of support for automation from employees. The survey of 14,500 people across all professions asked employers whether they had invested in anything that would help them overcome the barriers to greater automation. Fifty-six per cent of HR departments said they had adapted processes, 56% had improved staff communications and 53% had introduced internal training. Only 28% had hired a change manager or consulted an agency to help implement new technology. The report says: “To make sure the momentum gained towards automation is continued, both HR employers and those working in HR roles need to be aware of the benefits of automation and the skills required to get the most out of digital technology, not just within their own function, but the wider business too. “This will facilitate the most relevant training, improve engagement from existing staff and aid the recruitment of suitable professionals.â
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