Putting employee workflow solutions to work in UK organisations

Employee productivity continues to stagnate. The average value of one hour of an employee’s work in the UK economy is lower than in similar countries, such as France and Germany, according to the Centre for Economic Performance. At the root of this issue are two core challenges: laborious processes and ineffective employee experiences.

In today's experience economy, employees demand better. Organisations that recognise this new reality and choose to equip workers with the best tools for the job won't just help mitigate costs, but they can also gain an edge over competitors still shackled by complex systems and processes.

The need for simplified workflows

When employees lack access to centralised information and capabilities, they end up searching for resources or waiting for colleagues to fulfil simple requests. This impacts the high-value work that keeps employees motivated and drives the business forward.

For example, HR professionals often have to manually guide employees through simple scenarios like amending personal information, requesting time off, or enrolling in benefits. Time spent processing these requests and queries means less time spent on initiatives that can make a real difference to the business.

The more processes and systems that are overly complex, the greater the frustration for employees forced to navigate them. Nearly half of UK and Irish workers are frustrated by employers' outdated technology tools, according to research by Ricoh Europe. This can negatively affect engagement and retention.

A flexible labour market gives employees plenty of opportunities to change roles if they're dissatisfied. That flexibility is putting pressure on businesses to offer systems and processes that make life easier—not harder. Organisations that fail to do so will find it increasingly difficult to keep top talent.

Better technology for a better experience

Giving employees technology that meets their needs and makes work easier can provide better experiences. That means enabling self-service through intelligent, unified employee workflows.

Workflow solutions consolidate resources, automate routine tasks, and streamline the ‘messy middle’ of work. For employees, this equates to less time wasted and more time spent on high-impact, engaging work. Self-service capabilities and automated processes give workers easy access to what they need, when they need it—while reducing the administrative burden on internal support teams.

A ‘digital front door’ for accessing services and information, designed around employees' needs, provides a user-friendly ecosystem that employees can navigate and operate within. Routine processes that used to be arduous and draining become seamless and straightforward.

A more productive workforce for future growth

Organisations that enhance employee experiences through workflow solutions can reap the rewards of greater productivity, cost savings, and business growth. Adopting modern workflow solutions is more than an operational upgrade. It's a shift in approach to employee experience.

Organisations that actively listen to employees to invest in the right technology will enable their people to perform at their best. This mindset will in turn cultivate a more engaged workforce primed to deliver value and future growth.

Discover how ServiceNow intelligent employee workflow solutions help organisations improve productivity.