Transforming an HR Department into an Effective Human Experience and Wellness Department

Research has shown that work engagement significantly impacts both organizational outcomes and individual workers' well-being. Factors such as employee performance, productivity, health, and presenteeism are all influenced by an engaged workforce. However, the level of work engagement and happiness in many organizations often falls short of optimal standards. If a company struggles with this issue, it might be a sign that the current HR department is failing to meet its responsibilities.

Given this, the natural question arises: should the HR department focus solely on administrative and operational tasks, or should it prioritize enhancing employee engagement and well-being? This article explores the transformative journey of a company that reevaluated its HR department and repositioned it to focus on human experiences and wellness.

The Importance of Work Engagement

Work engagement is a critically important factor in organizational performance. Engaged employees are more likely to be productive, healthier, and present at work. However, many organizations fall short in terms of employee engagement, leading to lower productivity, higher turnover, and increased absenteeism. This issue is especially concerning when considering the competition for top talent in today's market.

Outsourcing Administrative Tasks to a Service Provider

To address this, we decided to outsource administrative and operational tasks to a specialized service provider. These service providers have domain expertise and are better equipped to handle HR matters. They provide superior service and cost-effectiveness, leaving the HR department free to focus on more critical functions.

Focusing on Employee Engagement and Well-Being

The most crucial role of an HR department is to ensure that employees are engaged and happy at work. At its core, this involves more than just recruiting and retaining top talent. The HR team should foster an environment where employees experience purpose, meaning, and fulfillment in their work. Additionally, it should promote overall wellness, encompassing various dimensions like physical, mental, and social well-being.

The Disconnect Between HR and the C-Suite

A significant issue is that HR departments are often not integrated into the C-Suite, leading to a disconnection between strategic business operations and employee well-being. If HR professionals view employees merely as resources rather than as human beings, it can lead to a dehumanizing approach to management. This can transform employees into mere business digits or a part of the cogs and wheels in an economic machine.

Repositioning the HR Department

To address these issues, we repositioned our HR department as a Human Experience and Wellness Department. This shift places a greater emphasis on enhancing work engagement and happiness levels while ensuring the overall well-being of employees. By doing so, we aimed to create a more holistic and human-centered approach to management.

We realized that improving work engagement and happiness is a collective effort. Every employee should have the responsibility to be a people manager, sharing the burden and responsibilities of managing and developing human talent. We adopted a comprehensive approach that includes top-down, bottom-up, and peer-to-peer strategies to ensure that employees are supported in their professional and personal growth.

By repositioning the HR department in this way, we created a culture where employees feel valued and supported. This not only improves individual well-being but also enhances organizational performance. We now compete for the best talents in the marketplace to achieve sustainable success by continuously recruiting, retaining, retraining, and refining our human capital.

In conclusion, transforming an HR department into an effective Human Experience and Wellness Department requires a strategic shift in focus. By prioritizing employee engagement and well-being, organizations can create a more productive, healthier, and happier workforce. This, in turn, leads to better business outcomes and a more sustainable competitive advantage.