HR technology is key to employee experience

A study of 500 human resources executives across 12 countries and 20 industries suggests that providing excellent employee experiences, enabled by technology, are becoming the new way to win the never-ending war for talent – and in the next three years, almost half (48%) of CHROs will use an HR platform – not applications – that systematises automation of HR process and collaboration, up from just 14% today.

“The best talent today expects great digital experiences at work,”said ServiceNow Chief Talent Officer Pat Wadors.“Top talent can work anywhere, and they are choosing companies that embrace advanced technology to make work simpler, faster, better. A fundamental shift is underway, and top human resources leaders are creating a new employee experience realising that great benefits and cool office perks are no longer enough. Employees want great digital experiences that make work, work better for them.”

Insights into this digital transformation of the employee experience were released today in “The New CHRO Agenda: Employee Experience Drives Business Value.” The global survey of 500 human resources executives(315 of them based in Europe) was commissioned by ServiceNow and announced today in Las Vegas at the company’s Knowledge®18 annual customer conference.

Employee experience stats

• More than half of CHROs surveyed (56%) say the ability to create a digital, consumerised employee experience will define their roles in three years
• 66% of CHROs say the employee experience will drive quantifiable productivity gains across the business
• Three out of five CHROs say HR is now a driver of digital transformation
• 68% of CHROs say that their HR technology allows them to improve employee experience
• 70% say the use of technology to foster a sense of community and healthy corporate culture is a goal they have
• 44% and 59%, respectively, say they are “ineffective” or just “somewhat effective” at applying technologies to personalise HR interaction and predict employee needs
• In the next three years, almost half (48%) of CHROs will use a HR platform – not applications – that systematises automation of HR process and collaboration, up from just 14% today

The New CHRO Agenda survey showed that US-based companies are accelerating digital transformation faster than peers in Europe and AsiaPacific. Almost one-third of CHROs in the US (32%) say that their primary role is shifting toward making human resources more digital and efficient, compared to 20% in Europe and 15% in AsiaPacific. An even higher percentage say they are increasing investment in digital technology(38%),compared to 19% in Europe and 21% in AsiaPacific.

Improving the employee experience with personalised, predictive and seamless digital technologies is at the core of this digital transformation. And the future is clear: more than half of CHROs surveyed (56%) say the ability to create a digital, consumerised employee experience will define their roles in three years, compared with only 6% who say their role will continue to be defined by traditional human resources activities.

The survey report details trends across North America, Europe and Asia, as well as looking at specific industries such as finance and health care. It also illustrates a road map for digital transformation of the employee experience.