Current workflow issues are leaving UK HR leaders overworked and unable to embrace major trends surrounding an increasingly digital workforce and AI-driven technologies, finds new research from aconso.
aconso commissioned a survey of 250 senior HR leaders to temperature check the state of HR in the UK, following its recent expansion into the market through its partnership with Veritas Prime. The findings are part of the report, Transitioning from Manual to Meaningful: Unlocking HR’s potential through AI and Digital Transformation, which surveyed 650 global senior HR leaders overall.
The data finds that 73% of UK HR leaders are struggling to align their strategy with rapidly changing business objectives, while maintaining a focus on employee needs. They admit the sheer volume and complexity of HR responsibilities are leaving their teams overwhelmed (43%); feeling stuck in a constant cycle of implementing layoffs and managing employee performance issues (47%) and uninspired by the sprawl of manual processes they’re managing (47%).
Manually managing work such as policy and process changes means their teams are not only making more errors (54%), they’re losing time that could be better spent on initiatives that drive business value (53%) and, critically, are at risk of burnout and decreased morale (48%).
HR workflows and workloads are stifling innovation
Understandably, there is little room for UK HR leaders to direct their teams to focus on the innovation needed to keep pace with the major trends they anticipate heading their way.
In the next three to five years, HR leaders say four trends will significantly impact the function and broader workforce:
- AI and automation (63%)
- More focus on employee well-being and experience initiatives (60%)
- The reskilling of the workforce to embrace new technologies (59%)
- A need to demonstrate the measurable impact of HR initiatives (58%)
Compounding the issue of an over-stretched team is that HR professionals are also being failed by a ‘tech overload’. HR leaders indicate that fragmented and ineffective solutions are increasing the workloads of their teams (53%) and not enabling them to meet the specific needs demanded by HR because the tools are too generic (64%).
For example, HR leaders say their teams are spending too much time on ensuring compliance with policy changes and addressing employee concerns (70%), maintaining HR materials including employee documents (60%) and securing employee signatures (49%).
How HR leaders plan to use technology to unlock HR’s potential
The strain on HR is evident and leaders know they must rapidly overcome current issues to relieve workloads and improve the experiences of their team. The research identifies four key areas that HR leaders see as having the biggest impact on improving current workflows and frustrations:
- AI and automation: 61% outline AI as their top investment, with 99% already using it in recruitment, and automated document management, payroll and benefits.
- Self-service tools: 58% see value in fully digitising employee documents and making them accessible via self-service applications to boost employee engagement and reduce demands on HR teams.
- Dedicated HR solutions: 56% would rather invest in dedicated HR solutions rather than generic tools to navigate the issue of technology falling short of their needs.
- A new tech stack: 54% say building a new tech stack would reduce current problems with ‘tech overload’ and disparate solutions, processes and data that lead to errors.
Joanne is the editor for Workplace Wellbeing Professional and has a keen interest in promoting the safety and wellbeing of the global workforce. After earning a bachelor's degree in English literature and media studies, she taught English in China and Vietnam for two years. Before joining Work Well Pro, Joanne worked as a marketing coordinator for luxury property, where her responsibilities included blog writing, photography, and video creation.