In the ever-evolving landscape of human capital management (HCM), staying ahead of regulatory changes is crucial for businesses to maintain compliance and effectively manage their workforce.
One impending change that is poised to significantly impact HCM systems is the Australian "Right to Disconnect" legislation. This legislation, aimed at promoting work-life balance and mitigating the risk of employee burnout, grants employees the right to disconnect from work-related communications outside of their regular working hours.
For HCM systems, this presents a unique challenge in managing system notifications and approval actions within workflows. It is further complicated when companies are part of a "global" solution and owners of workflow activities are using local times as the trigger, meaning employees in other parts of the world receive notifications outside of their working hours. With employees having the right to disconnect, HCM systems must adapt to ensure that notifications are delivered at appropriate times and that workflow processes are not disrupted.
One potential solution lies in the customisation and automation capabilities of modern HCM systems. By allowing organisations to tailor notification schedules based on individual employee preferences and working hours, these systems can ensure that notifications are received when employees are actively engaged with work, thus respecting their right to disconnect during personal time.
Moreover, HCM systems can leverage automation to streamline approval workflows, reducing the need for real-time employee involvement outside of regular hours. By automating routine approval actions and providing managers with the flexibility to schedule approvals during designated work hours, HCM systems can uphold compliance with the Right to Disconnect legislation while maintaining operational efficiency.
In addition to customisation and automation, organisations can include disclaimers in their notifications, emphasising that responses are not expected outside of regular working hours, thereby further respecting employees' right to disconnect.
In conclusion, the Fair Work changes regarding the Right to Disconnect will undoubtedly impact how HCM systems manage system notifications and approval actions in workflows. However, with strategic customisation, automation, and the inclusion of disclaimers, organisations can adapt their HCM systems to navigate these changes effectively while supporting employee well-being and compliance requirements.
Blog written by Deon Van Vuuren, Delivery Director: HCM
Ethical AI disclaimer: Blog created with the assistance of AI