Role of automation in enhancing employee well-being and efficiency

Employee engagement has been the most discussed narrative for years, and yet, it’s a recurring challenge still for many organizations. High turnover, low motivation, and disengagement can have a profound effect on both employee productivity and morale.

As highlighted by  Gallup's 2023 State of the Global Workplace report, organizations that have highly engaged employees turn out to be more profitable than those with low engagement levels by 23%. This is a considerable advantage, particularly in today's challenging economic environment, where even small improvements in productivity and efficiency can make a big difference.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are key components of these strategies. Technology is poised to revolutionize not just the way we consume but also human behaviour, productivity and aid in channelizing our energies optimally.

How can automation propel wmployee well-being and efficiency?
Automation and integration of AI tools must not be viewed as a one-time event or a fad but rather as part of an ongoing process. It helps in the workplace representing a paradigm shift in how we stay relevant to the changing times & employee needs. 

* Reducing repetitive and tedious tasks
Automation can help reduce monotonous, repetitive tasks such as data entry, inventory management, or assembly line work. By eliminating these tasks, employees are freed up to focus on more complicated and creative aspects of their jobs. This reduction in repetitive work can help ease burnout or frustration from mundane tasks. 

Employees can also devote more time to tasks that require critical thinking and innovation, enhancing both their skills and job engagement. For instance, in customer service, chatbots and automated systems can handle common inquiries, allowing human agents to focus on solving complex customer issues.

* Enabling personalized and continuous learning
Organizations that cultivate a culture of continuous learning are better positioned to adapt to the changing work environment. This includes devising opportunities for upskilling, reskilling, and staying relevant and flexible in response to the evolving technologies. 

Adopting a proactive learning mindset not only boosts individual employability but also strengthens the organization’s overall resilience and competitiveness.

Further, automation can be used to create personalized learning paths for employees. AI-driven systems can track individual progress and suggest relevant training or resources, enabling continuous personal and professional development.

Removing unconscious bias
As per a research, AI is being leveraged in hiring and onboarding processes by almost 68% organizations already.

Unconscious bias can influence traditional hiring practices, where recruiters may unknowingly favour candidates who resemble themselves, share similar backgrounds, or belong to the same community or alumni network, potentially overlooking more qualified individuals. AI can help reduce these biases in recruitment, promotion, and other talent management processes. 

For example, it can challenge assumptions like prioritizing a candidate’s experience over their future potential or viewing career gaps as a negative. Many organizations are now using AI to develop people systems that address these biases.

As per Boston Consulting Group, companies with diverse leadership teams experience 19% higher revenues compared to those with less diversity.

* Streamlining administrative tasks and improving work-life balance
Automation can simplify administrative tasks like payroll processing, performance tracking, employee onboarding, scheduling meetings, email management and documents handling, etc. 

Tasks that are typically time-consuming and administrative, can be automated to ensure accuracy and save employee’s time. This allows the employees in managing time more effectively, reducing the burden of unpredictable shifts or rigid schedules. Automation of workflows and task assignments can also lead to a reduction in overtime, improving work-life balance and reducing employee stress.

* Boosting collaboration and communication
Automation tools can also improve communication and collaboration among team members. By automating certain communication channels (e.g., automatic alerts, reminders, or task assignments), employees can stay updated on important developments without constantly checking emails or missing crucial information.  

Smart scheduling helps in aligning everyone’s availabilities to meet & check-in with each other, automated meeting summaries helps save time for everyone ensuring the whole team is on track. This streamlines workflows, reduces communication breakdowns, and fosters better teamwork, leading to a more cohesive and productive environment.

* Constructive feedback and ensuring employee well-being
Technology has tremendous potential to advance gender equality, from creating platforms that enable women to connect and support one another to providing innovative tools that combat bias and promote inclusivity.

One way technology can drive cultural change is by offering platforms for women to share their experiences, connect with one another, and provide mutual support. The power of social media, online communities, and networking platforms can amplify not only individual voices, but the voices of entire communities, serving as a powerful tool for large-scale advocacy and change. 

To achieve more sustainable progress, implementing anonymous feedback mechanisms can help women and other underrepresented groups openly address concerns without fear of judgment or dismissal.

Not just them, it even allows for any employee, regardless of their gender, ethnicity etc to address their concerns anonymously and know that they will be heard. Automation and AI chatbots can help enable that and negate bias at any step of the operations allowing to maintain utmost transparency.

Conclusion
As per a 2023 report by McKinsey, organizations that properly amalgamate AI technologies see a 15% increase in productivity, a trend that will only increase as AI applications become more advanced. From talent acquisition to performance management, AI helps automate repetitive tasks, enabling HR professionals and managers to focus on strategic decision-making and rapid implementation rather than administrative tasks.

The integration of automation in the workplace holds significant potential to enhance both employee well-being and operational efficiency. It has the power to create a more fulfilling and productive work environment when used thoughtfully. 

As businesses continue to adopt automation technologies, both employees and employers can benefit from a healthier, more efficient, and more engaged workforce, and how it’s put at the core of any organizational practice befalls on the HR leadership and teams.
 
 -- Ranjini Chakraborty, People Leader, Giesecke + Devrient Mobile Security India Pvt Ltd.