Many companies are now recognising the benefits of a healthy and happy workforce more than ever before. If employees feel positive about their jobs, they are likely to perform better and take less sickness leave, costing less money and providing less work for the HR department. In the past, however, it has been difficult for companies to determine what changes are needed and how to implement them, in order to improve conditions in the workplace for employees. This is why HR data analytics are being used by an increasing number of organisations.
Facts reveal feelings
HR data analytics, in conjunction with employee feedback, can be used to gain a picture of holistic health within the workplace. Healthy, stress-free employees are more motivated, more productive and less likely to be absent due to sickness. By analysing HR data, organisations can discover vital information about the mental and physical wellbeing of the workforce, flagging up any causes for alarm or gaps in healthcare provision and other employee benefits that, if addressed, could improve the levels of staff satisfaction and retention.
HR data analytics can also help limit costs and at the same time help in maximising the performance of the workforce by highlighting any training and development needs and helping with the management of absences due to sickness.
Implementing positive change
Technology has become highly useful in creating better connections between companies and their employees by helping managers understand their staff’s needs better. HR data analytics can reveal previously undiscovered facts about processes, and practices that could be harming workplace culture, such as lack of stress-management measures or even bullying and intimidation between employees.
This enables the company to put policies in place to deal with factors that are making the workplace a negative environment. By learning how to analyse HR data, organisations can create an environment in which employees feel safe and valued, which in turn will make them more productive.The ways in which employees can be made to feel valued don’t always have to involve putting policies and procedures in place. HR data analytics can reveal less obvious stress-causing factors such as the employees’ needs for better work-life balance, which can be addressed by making changes to the distribution of workload and implementing a management culture that is more sympathetic to staff issues.HR data analytics can also reveal the elements of the workplace culture that employees feel the company is getting right.
According to a report by the Human Capital Institute, organisations that rate themselves as “proficient” at workforce data analysis are far more likely to rate their business leaders as “satisfied” with workforce data than those who rate themselves “deficient.” This illustrates how the ability to analyse HR data and implement changes as a result can have a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of employees, to the point where CEOs are much more satisfied with staff performance.
From HR data analytics to holistic health
For companies new to studying HR data analytics, the thought of analysing facts and figures and turning them into positive changes in workplace culture can seem complicated and overwhelming. This is why many companies need third-party help in order to use HR data analytics to their best advantage.
Leading wellness companies have devised a series of group wellness programs that use technology to create engagement and identify risks to the mental, physical, and nutritional wellbeing of the staff. This allows employers to find ways of overcoming problems relating to achieving holistic health in the workplace, which will have a positive impact on employees and their productivity.They also boasts advanced, connected wellbeing engine available. It combines data analytics software with the latest fitness wearables such as Fitbit, Garmin, Misfit Apple Watch and many more, providing deidentified, aggregate data on the activity, mood, productivity, and even sleep habits. Programs can be tailored to suit the individual needs of each business, helping employers achieve a holistic health culture in the workplace and creating an increased understanding between employees and managers.
Caring about their wellbeing makes employees feel more valued and engaged with the company, and improvements to their mental and physical health will show in their performance at work. Learning to use HR data analytics leads to increased productivity and a less stressed, more positive workplace culture.
