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4 reasons why a workforce management solution should be a top priority

When the Covid-19 pandemic hit Europe in the spring of 2020, HR process automation and digital transformation were clearly not a top priority, attested to in our survey: The Future of Work and People in Europe 2020. It’s not surprising, given the unknown extent of the impact on employees’ health and wellbeing, in addition to the economic consequences. Organisations had far more pressing concerns; keeping employees healthy and economic survival naturally became the immediate and main priorities.

Now that the world knows more about Covid-19 and the vaccinations rollouts are well underway, organisations are reassessing their internal systems and processes. During the summer of 2020, our poll revealed that around half of all the surveyed companies were worried about the way their digital HR was organised, and just 37% of companies believed they had reached a high level of digital maturity.

And despite digital HR initially seen as being undervalued, there is now a drive towards digital HR transformation, and an urgency to speed this up in order to respond to the rapidly changing landscape.

Many employers are now turning to external organisations to make this transformation a reality, and seeking third party support on their quest to supercharge their levels of digital maturity.

    Why workforce management?

    The changes experienced in the workplace have taken place at a rapid pace and created unique working environments. A workforce management solution gives you new ways to make work far easier for your entire organisation in both challenging and ‘normal’ times, helping you to adapt. This includes everything from improving the employee experience to controlling costs and compliance. It will help your organisation to manage and adjust to challenges like never before.

    Here are four ways a workforce management solution can help you to be better prepared for any opportunities and challenges you might face, helping you to achieve a steady balance between stability and flexibility.

      Improving the employee experience

      Retaining and attracting the best talent is of the greatest importance for successful operations, customer experience and competitive advantage. You can’t afford to ignore changing employee needs. If you’re keen to survive in a world which is no longer normal, workforce management and an employee-centred mindset are no longer optional. A workforce management solution will empower your employees to improve communications and use self-service tools that enable them to manage both their personal and professional lives more efficiently.

        Remote working arrangements

        Working from home has become the norm for many organisations and some employers may implement remote working as a permanent and flexible choice for employees. Workforce management technologies make it far easier for employees to connect and collaborate with their colleagues from anywhere. A cloud-based workforce management solution gives remote employees “anywhere, anytime” access making working from home or on the move a friction-free reality. It also enables scheduling managers to operate flexible work arrangements, make sure coverage is available, and comply with shifting guidelines and regulations.

          Buying, borrowing and building talent

          Finding the best talent across Europe is still very much a structural issue and we don’t expect this to change anytime soon. Employers must come up with new and creative solutions to optimise workforce management practices and add flexibility to their teams to enable them to work efficiently. You might need fresh talent such as contingent or non-contingent workers, while upskilling your existing employees to meet your workforce needs. Regardless of the type of expertise you need or when you need it, a workforce management solution will enhance your organisation’s mobility, through managing and supporting a variety of simultaneous or asynchronous groups of employees; from home to on-site workers and to those working in the field or at numerous geographic locations.

            Adapting to change

            Continual change is a reality for all businesses, and agility is key to helping you navigate these challenging times. A workforce management solution will help your business to overcome any new, unexpected challenges and circumstances while making sure you comply with regulations. The right workforce management solution will also grow with your organisation – for example – supporting a scale up for fast expansion due to the rapid opening of a new office, a merger, acquisition or organic growth.

              Finding the right workforce management vendor

              If you are looking for a workforce management vendor we recommend carefully assessing which solutions are the best fit for your employees, how they can clearly communicate future changes and offer your staff a voice. There are three tenets you should look for when choosing a workforce management solution:

              • Getting business value right across your organisation — from minimising overtime costs and cutting out unnecessary administrative tasks, to streamlining compliance and enhancing the employee experience.
              • Future readiness and the ability to flex to meet your specific needs today and into the future without the need for customisation.
              • Innovation that supports a forward-thinking culture of evolution and transformation.

              Critical to your success is flexible, efficient and predictive workforce management, particularly given the massive shifts we have all experienced in the past 18 months. The right workforce management solution will help, but it must meet your own organisation’s particular requirements.