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The Art of Working Smarter
18 December 2023 Workplace Culture
Story by
Rebekah Wallis Director of People and ESG, Ricoh UK
Workplace culture will undoubtedly be impacted by the technology advances of the future. Here, Rebekah Wallis, Director of People and ESG at Ricoh UK, looks at the changing workplace and considers how HR can manage the employee experience.
As 2023 comes to a close, we can look back on a year which saw artificial intelligence (AI) reach new heights and start to have a meaningful impact across both our professional and personal lives. As 2024 approaches, AI and automation will continue to rapidly transform the working landscape worldwide and significantly influence workplace dynamics – the reshaping of the future of work is coming.
This incorporation of automation across the workplace will present an opportunity to enhance job satisfaction, employee engagement, and productivity, but only if organisations equip employees with the right skills to harness this new technology.
HR teams must recognise the implications that emerging technologies will have on the future of work and understand how they will affect the workforce. As we’ve seen with the emergence of technologies like ChatGPT, this new technology is already transforming how specific individuals perform their job roles and daily tasks, with this trend only set to continue.
The Governance Gap
A recent Ricoh survey found that nearly half (48%) of people working across Europe regularly use AI tools, such as Chat GPT, with 18% of these respondents using it more than once a day.
The same Ricoh survey found that only one in six (16%) companies currently offer training on utilising AI tools. Without proper guidance on using this technology, businesses risk missing out on the purported productivity and business benefits of AI – not to mention running a range of potential cybersecurity and copyright risks.
Determining the right approach takes careful evaluation, as 67% agree they need to learn more about the benefits of these automation tools and technologies before using them at work.
As we head into 2024, HR leaders must invest in employee training and guidance on how to properly utilise AI tools. This will not only reap benefits for the wider business, but also help to close the digital skills gap facing the tech industry.
Workplace culture: automation and employee experience
The benefits of automation not only extend to business processes, but impact workplace culture and employee wellbeing.
An organisation’s culture comprises many environmental factors, all of which contribute to the overall employee experience. This can be everything from the physical workstation and office opening hours to the people, leadership styles, and access to technology.
So, it is no surprise that old and misaligned technology can directly impact the productivity and efficiency of any office.
Traditional workflow process management solutions are often expensive and complex. But, like so many other things, the steady advancement of technology has levelled the playing field and brought business processes, workflow automation, and content management into play for almost any business.
By taking a step back and looking at where your employees spend their time, companies often find that a disproportionate amount is dedicated to lengthy administrative tasks. According to research conducted by Ricoh, nearly two fifths (39%) of people’s days are occupied with administration or overcoming technology issues – meaning teams have less time to focus on projects that deliver real value to the business.
Automation can streamline repetitive and time-consuming tasks, giving employees time back for creative and rewarding projects. As a result, the implementation of automation and reliable technology can help foster a sense of purpose, fulfilment, and wellbeing at work for employees – ultimately improving the workplace culture.
Work smarter with automation
To stay ahead of (or at least keep pace with) these developments, HR teams must proactively prepare for the future by equipping employees with the necessary digital skills and confidence to effectively utilise AI, including ChatGPT and other automation tools in their roles. Through embracing automation, organisations can improve employee welfare by driving fulfilment through work, boost productivity and remain competitive in the ever-evolving digital landscape.