The article was originally published on Hr.com by Cognito Forms human resource manager Kaitlyn White. You can read the original article here.
Staying on top of trends while knowing what fits their specific organizations is an essential skill for human resources (HR) departments to build a happy and engaged workforce. Digital tools can be invaluable allies in this pursuit. They can help make a company’s environment more supportive and empowering. Here are some leading practices that will ensure HR’s success in 2025 and the technology to make it easier and more effective.
Reducing Employee Stress and Overwhelm Through Automation
Nobody dreams of spending their day doing repetitive administrative tasks. Outsourcing this menial labor to technology and automated workflows can benefit every department. Modern automation technology helps businesses create customizable automated processes for repetitive tasks, such as employee onboarding or PTO requests. This alleviates stress for human resources, managers, and employees.
Automated workflows ensure accuracy and consistency and reduce errors that create frustration. An organization using digital platforms for collaborative work can implement automated deadline reminders and streamline approvals.
Individually, these routine tasks may seem minor, but together, they take big chunks of employee time. Automating them will free team members for creative and strategic work – a sure way to increase job satisfaction. It will help to improve an organization’s efficiency and avoid having an exhausted, unmotivated team.
Fostering Work-Life Balance Through Remote or Hybrid Work
The topic on everyone’s minds, from human resources to the executive suite, is how remote work affects the organization and its employees. The COVID-19 pandemic showed the world that remote employees can be even more effective than those who go into the office. The flexibility that remote and hybrid work grants employees can’t be overestimated. Remote employees avoid a commute and, without traffic, can spend more time with their families. Teams everywhere greatly value this time, so why not support them?
The tools to make it possible are already here. Who hasn’t used Teams, Slack, or at least Zoom? Employees can easily message each other to schedule calls or brainstorm without being in the same room. They can also choose where they want to work, be it their city apartment or a cabin surrounded by wilderness. The freedom to choose and the balance between their personal and professional lives do wonders for employee well-being. Digital tools ensure that the quality of work stays high regardless of the circumstances.
There are several ways to increase efficiency and well-being using digital collaborative platforms. Blocking off time to do focused work or letting teammates see each other’s availability makes it easier to be a good team player while taking care of individual work tasks.
Flexibility is becoming a top priority for employees everywhere, so providing tools that can support it will help teams feel heard, valued, and trusted.
Supporting Learning with Digital Tools
Attaining new skills or furthering old ones is beneficial for both employees and their employers. Learning opportunities keep employees engaged and can give them new ideas and perspectives. Many digital platforms offer short courses or extensive certificate programs. These services make learning more accessible and encourage growth.
Companies can also develop platform-specific internal digital courses. This way, the lessons will be tailored to the needs and goals of a specific organization or a group of employees.
One of the most effective recent approaches to education is gamification. Making learning fun and a bit competitive will result in more team engagement and enthusiasm.
Continuous learning within an organization makes teams more adaptive, agile, and ready for different projects and situations.
Recognizing Employee’s Contribution in Real Time
Any employee doing a great job needs to know their contribution is seen and appreciated. Implementing recognition strategies, whether regular shoutouts in chats or over email or verbal recognition during meetings, is important. One caveat: managers need to make sure that recognition feels genuine.
Making sure that each employee is celebrated for their unique skills and wins encourages a culture of appreciation that, in turn, boosts employee motivation and supports a sense of belonging. It’s crucial to give recognition strategies enough attention and be consistent with them.
Encouraging Communication, Transparency, and Collaboration
Digital platforms for collaborative work have transformed the way many companies approach communication. Regardless of where an employee works, these tools allow for real-time exchange of ideas and updates. Teams regularly in contact with each other are more likely to have healthier dynamics and a more efficient flow of project-related information.
Effective employers encourage team communication to foster feelings of belonging and camaraderie. Who doesn’t want a workplace where they feel heard and included? Managers can support this by encouraging employees to participate in discussions within team chats.
Work management software is another tool type that makes collaboration seamless and transparent.
The Role of Digital Tools in Employee Well-Being and Loyalty
Digital practices are not only about efficiency; they can also create a happy and healthy workforce. If used strategically, technology can support employee well-being and ensure they stay with the organization and contribute meaningfully.
The attitude toward work and career has shifted. Employees prioritize their health over business goals. Employers who support these priorities will ultimately win by having teams that are motivated, energized, and ready to contribute.