As the digital landscape continues to evolve, a recent report indicates that a staggering nine out of ten British businesses are gearing up to invest in new technology in the coming year.

While the prospect of technological advancement is promising, challenges such as attachment to traditional methods, employee buy-in, solution apprehension, and budget constraints hinder progress for some.

BrightHR’s Chief Technology Officer, Alastair Brown, encourages businesses, irrespective of size or sector, to embrace HR tech that streamlines operations, enhances productivity, and fortifies recruitment and retention efforts. As we approach 2024, here are the HR tech trends that business owners should keep a close eye on:

  1. Recruitment Dashboard

January typically brings a surge in hiring activities, but the lengthy recruitment process can cause prospective candidates to lose interest. Alastair Brown suggests adopting platforms that simplify tracking applicant progress and offer secure document storage for CVs, cover letters, job descriptions, and more.

  1. Remote Work Solutions

While the shift toward remote work may be slowing down, it remains a prominent trend. Employee productivity, whether in-office, at home, or elsewhere, is crucial. BrightHR’s Blip, available in app form, offers clock-in functionality to ensure seamless productivity, addressing the needs of both employees and organisations.

  1. Employee Wellbeing Platforms

With over half of the UK’s employees experiencing mild symptoms of depression, employee wellbeing is a top priority. In 2024, HR solutions are anticipated to include holistic platforms offering mental health support, wellness programs, counselling services, and more, easily accessible through dedicated apps.

  1. Data Security and Compliance

Data privacy and compliance take centre stage, emphasising the need for HR technology that safeguards sensitive employee information. BrightHR’s secure online document storage is highlighted as a reliable solution, ensuring data security and regulatory adherence.

  1. Benefits Platforms

Amid the ongoing cost-of-living crisis, supporting employees becomes paramount. Easy-to-use benefits platforms offering discounts on various goods and services can engage and retain employees, benefiting both businesses and their workforce.

  1. E-learning

Investing in e-learning technology is recommended for 2024. Platforms like BrightLearn provide access to online courses and training materials, facilitating skill development, productivity enhancement, and cost-effective training for businesses.

  1. Employee Recognition

Acknowledging the rising staff turnover rates and concerns about employee valuation, platforms like BrightHR’s Praise can incentivise teams through instant recognition and friendly competition.

  1. Artificial Intelligence (AI) Integration

Recognising the role of AI in boosting productivity and creativity, Alastair Brown suggests exploring AI-integrated HR software cautiously. Balancing AI with human input is crucial to maintain accuracy and human-to-human interaction, particularly in recruitment processes.

As the new year approaches, businesses are encouraged to stay abreast of these user-friendly and cost-effective HR tech trends that promise to be game-changers in 2024.

Amelia Brand is the Editor for HRreview, and host of the HR in Review podcast series. With a Master’s degree in Legal and Political Theory, her particular interests within HR include employment law, DE&I, and wellbeing within the workplace. Prior to working with HRreview, Amelia was Sub-Editor of a magazine, and Editor of the Environmental Justice Project at University College London, writing and overseeing articles into UCL’s weekly newsletter. Her previous academic work has focused on philosophy, politics and law, with a special focus on how artificial intelligence will feature in the future.