Raise your hand if you’ve ever heard a story about human workers being replaced by technology. We see you there. Of course, science fiction has been warning us about the possibility of humans being replaced by machines for years, and while the horror movie versions are exaggerated, there is a thread of truth especially if you think about jobs that once existed but have long since disappeared with the passage of time and progress.
In fact, machines have replaced jobs that were once done by actual human effort for centuries. The list of obsolete roles include telegraph operators, lamp lighters, switchboard operators, and punch card operators. While it is true that progress intervened, few of us would want to return to the days before technology solutions forever changed the way we live and work.
What About My Job?
One objection we sometimes hear from HR teams when it comes to replacing outdated compensation methods like databases or spreadsheets, is “what about my job?” The question is usually asked a little tongue-in-check, with a tinge of nervous laughter. Even though the processes in use are tedious and repetitive, some may question the ways technology may encroach on the role they’ve filled for years. Change can be scary, but in this case, it doesn’t need to be.
It’s all about where we choose to exert our energy and talents. For HR Teams, this is an especially important statement to remember when addressing staff concerns about what could be “lost” by automating compensation activities.
When thinking about “going digital,” it really is more about gaining efficiencies, eliminating errors, and improving the quality of work life than it is giving up some of the tedious, time-consuming tasks that may have become all too familiar. In this case, progress can truly be a very good change for everyone involved.
Things Potentially LOST to Automated Compensation Management
- Cluttered desks.
Spreadsheets, post-it notes, employee documentation. Who knows what your staff might find when they can actually see their desks. - Overtime.
HR staff may once again know what it means to leave the office on time each day. Reports can run themselves and you can see that little league game. - Staff crankiness.
Moods often swing near the end of every month when reports are due and numbers aren’t adding up, - Fatigue, eye strain, and carpal tunnel syndrome.
Less repetitive manual data entry means fewer physical strain. - Paper.
Save on the reams and reams of paper used to print, distribute, and manage employee compensation information. - Lost time.
No more chasing down employees to obtain benefit election details. - Adding machine repairs.
As attached as you may be to your 10-key, it just won’t be used all that much anymore. - The need to explain and correct payroll errors.
Your employee who didn’t get paid appropriately doesn’t really care that a “9” looks like a “4” in your manual-entry spreadsheet.
While that list is a bit “tongue-in-cheek,” we are hoping you see where we are going with this argument. While automation may replace certain tasks within these roles, it can also create new opportunities and demand for skills related to managing and optimizing compensation technology solutions.
Outdated manual compensation procedures might seem budget-friendly initially, but over time, they lack the adaptability essential for contemporary organizations. Depending on manual methods not only reduces efficiency but also exposes organizations to potential risks linked to inaccurate or outdated data. HR technology provides a remedy, allowing HR teams to save time, minimize errors, and establish their organizations as preferred employers through robust compensation strategies.
What Do You Have to Lose?
Are you ready to learn more about automating compensation management activities for your organization? CompLogix would love to show you how losing those tedious, repetitive, and error-prone processes you may have used for years can be holding you back. Contact us for a free, no-obligation demo to learn more.