Beyond HR – How Human Resources Continues to Change

Human Resource departments serve as the bridge between an organization and its employees. The relationship is essential in building a healthy and productive work environment. But as the workplace continues to evolve, companies have found that their HR departments need revolutionary ways to ensure a beneficial employee experience.

In this article, we explore how HR has shifted in recent years. We argue that human resources must be more people-focused if modern companies want to remain competitive. In addition, we’ll provide a comprehensive solution that leverages technology while prioritizing humanity in human resources.  

The Evolution of HR

The industrial revolution completely changed the workplace in the late 1800s and early 1900s. Before these emerging technologies, most labor in the US and Britain were primarily agricultural, and employers were typically family, friends, or neighbors.

The rise of factories resulted in a separation between employers and employees, requiring a unifying entity to listen to grievances and ensure workers’ rights. As the 20th century progressed and with rapid social change in America, HR became a fundament part of the workplace.

Today, we are going through a change requiring human-centric HR solutions. Digitalization and corporatization have once again created a gap between employer and employee, requiring new solutions that cater to a less personal workplace.

Traditional vs. Modern HR Practices

Modern human resource practices were shaped in the early 21st century, while the internet and smartphones had yet to dramatically shift the average worker’s experience. As a result, new ways to accommodate the recent changes in the relationship are now being developed.

Below is a list of traditional and modern HR functions to provide context into how HR is evolving.

Traditional HR Practices

• Hiring
• Training and development
• Payroll
• Employee benefits
• Compliance and Safety

People-Centric HR Practices

• Continuous feedback
• Performance management
• People enablement
• Analytics
• Data-driven personal management

Traditional HR functions are still foundational to the modern employee/employer relationship. However, the field is progressively implementing a people-centric to accommodate changes in the workplace.

Revolutionizing HR with People Operations Tools

Advancements in technology have created incredible opportunities for businesses to implement a people-centric HR strategy. People Operations tools such as personalized digital profiles for all employees, PTO tracking, and integrated payroll helps companies manage personnel more efficiently. Shifting HR to a comprehensive digital platform like Zenefits cuts onboarding times by 50% and reduces time spent on payroll by 90%.

By leveraging technology, HR professionals gain a better understanding of the needs of each employee resulting in the following benefits:

• Staying compliant with tax, safety, and workplace regulations
• Hiring and retaining top talent
• Increasing productivity
• Limiting human error
• Improving the overall employee experience

Comprehensive HR Solutions from Zenefits

HR has evolved to reflect the contemporary workplace. As a result, businesses need a tool that combines the fundamental aspects of traditional HR with new human-focused solutions. Zenefits streamlines onboarding, payroll, scheduling, and benefits compensation while integrating people-centric solutions and analytics into one user-friendly digital platform.

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