Keeping The Human Element In HR
On August 22nd at the Seventh Annual Human Resources Online’s tech-driven conference in Asia, Evannah Chuah, Human Resources Director for Jewel Paymentech gave a presentation. In it, she reminded attendees that while tech is gaining ground in the field of human resources management, it’s also important to remember that there are some human elements that AI cannot solve.
In an article appearing on the Human Resources Online website, columnist Aditi Sharma Kalra covered the event that was held at Aloft Kuala Lumpur Sentral. During Chuah’s presentation, she offered her company’s perspective on the importance of keeping the human element in HR. She also urged the audience that it was essential to not only hear what is spoken but to also pay attention to things that are unspoken.
Even though her company, Jewel Paymentech, utilizes a software package that helps HR and management teams to have better one-on-one communications with workers, the human element between workers, HR and management must include real communication between people.
“Tech cannot convey emotions – we cannot tell how a person is feeling, or what tone they are using in a certain word,” Chuah said, “ and more importantly, we are not aware of the impact of our words on the other person until it’s too late.”
Chuah encouraged managers to have regular one-on-ones with workers monthly and to encourage feedback that goes both ways. This way they can enhance work experience for their employees and management teams.
She encouraged HR teams and management staff to approach human resource interactions with workers on a case-by-case basis. Chuah stressed the importance of treating every worker as an individual with unique needs. She also suggested that the approach to technology should be one of a growth mindset rather than a reactive one.
