Knowing that it is impossible to create a formidable workplace relationship without trust, your employees must trust your company processes. A way for companies to implement an effective process where employees and employers can maintain constant and open communication is through the application of HR systems.
Such access to HR technology can facilitate everything employees need to know about such core HR aspects such as people management, onboarding and lifecycle, absence management, performance management, recruitment, and career development.
With employees being kept informed about all of these aspects, they’ll then be able to develop a relationship of trust with their HR department. But how can this specifically be the case? Let’s take a look at some of the reasons why.
Staff Want to Understand That Their Data Is Safe
A new survey conducted in 2021 consisting of 1,000 employees in the UK and Ireland was developed to identify whether employees trust their HR teams and to understand and learn what HR departments could be doing to foster greater trust in their organisations.
A key suggestion on how the relationship levels between employees and HR can be improved upon is through the use of HR systems. Organisations can use these systems to assess employee trust and determine what they can do to address the issue through honest and open communication. It is not a pleasant experience when your staff cannot get information swiftly.
We’ve all seen privacy violations result in the publication of employee personal data or information, and such incidents will constantly erode your employees’ trust in your HR department.
It will force them to look outside, considering how hard it is for management to guard their information. As devs design and load most HR solutions with security measures that protect confidential material, this may well become a relic of the past with Human Resources Management Software.
Data protection will not only boost their trust but will also increase productivity by eliminating paperwork. According to the study, 31% of employees are sceptical or distrustful of the HR department’s ability to regard and preserve their private information.
Because instances of cyber-crime have been all over the news, your employees will want to know that you care about their privacy and that it is protected.
Transparency
Just 34% of workers trust the HR teams to notify them about internal promotion chances, and only 33% trust their HR teams to limit and resolve workplace issues. In comparison, only 32% believe they will set favouritism aside and focus more on impartiality.
As an employer, make sure your HR department is open and honest, as this is one of the most efficient strategies to gain workers’ trust in their work. We may accomplish this by informing employees on the firm’s present state, current issues, benchmarks achieved and missed, and so on; in this way, employees can become more innovative and collaborate effectively to reach higher yields.
This also implies that the HR department has a better understanding of employees and can see potential problems because employees are more eager to discuss their concerns.
Lack of Trust at the Workplace
The survey reported that only 34% of workers trust their HR team to inform them about internal promotional opportunities when they lack confidence—32% trust HR to carry out their responsibilities without bias, favouring senior employees over junior employees.
Only 33% of employees believe and trust HR to be efficient in solving workplace problems.
Flexibility ensures a fair and just workplace. You must ensure that employees support the HR department and that excellent staff is duly recognised and rewarded when necessary.
You may utilise the HRM systems to improve how you handle employee incentives so that the right people don’t miss out and their faith in HR doesn’t deteriorate.
You’d also need personal or objective input to determine whether a manager’s approach to work promotes or undermines employee trust. If the feedback is unfavourable, HR might focus on behaviours that managers can improve. To prevent making workers feel intimidated or unsafe, do not overly criticise their character.
Improve Recognition
Even though trust in HR rose throughout the pandemic, there’s still plenty to be done to improve relationships. With HR’s administrative duties, it’s easy to lose sight of people taking priority, and that promoting work justice and developing trusted connections should be at the heart of HR’s mission.
Staff members who said they could identify a member of their company’s HR team were more likely than those who said they couldn’t trust HR to resolve conflict amongst coworkers.
66% of employees who recognise members of their HR team believe HR can assist them in resolving issues.
Employees who don’t recognise an HR staff member are 37% more likely to trust HR to resolve issues. Human resources teams will be in a great position to foster trust among employees and establish common values thanks to their technical knowledge of what they need to do and their understanding of HR Systems.
Fairness & Equity
Just about half of employees trust their human resources department to act impartially. When asked who HR prefers more, 12% of respondents stated that HR likes junior staff more, while 43% believe HR favours senior employees more.
Junior employees may feel sidelined and have contempt for senior employees because they believe their superiors are reaping the benefits of collective hard work alone. Acts like this, however, are entirely dependent on your HR department’s operating procedures.
A perception of unfairness or discrimination will damper your employees’ spirits, harm the workplace’s reputation, reduce motivation, and, most importantly, erode any trust in the HR staff, which will eventually show how they carry out their responsibilities.
Although it is a continual process, HR can resolve discrepancies reasonably and ensure that all employees receive worthy treatment regardless of their position. The aim is to gain employees’ trust and ensure that they can find solace in their bosses rather than keeping their problems to themselves.
Conclusion
All connections revolve around people, and creating a fair and inclusive workplace is critical for fostering trust between you and your employees. HR systems can help your company focus on establishing relationships, reducing bias, and ensuring no discrimination.
Also Read: Healthcare: How Companies Ensure Their Cybersecurity During Rapid Digitalization
