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The topic of AI is something many HR professionals will be aware of. But it’s important to understand how AI chatbots in HR are improving the employee experience. This will help you decide if you want to include the tool within your HR system.
In this article, we will explore:
- Three different types of HR chatbot
- How they can enhance the employee experience
- The future of chatbots in HR
What are HR chatbots?
HR chatbots are virtual assistants that answer questions relating to HR matters. Using AI, they respond to questions in an automated and human-like manner. Topics covered can include company policies, best practices and role-specific queries.
By utilising a HR system with HR AI chatbots, you can streamline your HR processes and improve employee experience.
Types of HR chatbots
Some different HR AI chatbots organisations may wish to implement include:
- Recruitment chatbots
- Used in the initial stages of recruitment, these chatbots can answer candidate questions.
- Onboarding chatbots
- This will provide new hires with the information they need to settle in, such as company policies
- Helpdesk chatbots
- These chatbots are more holistic. They answer all types of queries that employees may ask, such as “What are my statutory rights regarding paternity leave?”
Why you should use an HR chatbot
HR departments are often inundated with requests. From employees asking where certain documents are or if they have annual leave left, SMBs resources can be stretched thin.
The best AI HR chatbots take some of the pressure off HR. They do this by providing the answers to these questions quickly and easily, without the team having to step in at all.
They can also rest assured that the information provided is accurate, as it pulls from their own documents, while being secure.
It’s also important to be aware of the disadvantages that old HR systems have. By utilising current technology, you can ensure you have efficient processes in place.
4 ways HR chatbots improve employee experience
Let’s explore how HR chatbots can improve the employee experience.
Improved accessibility
Improving employee engagement should be a goal of any organisation. HR AI chatbots can help with this initiative by ensuring accessibility. By providing employees with 24/7 support, they can respond to any issues quickly.
Chatbots can also be designed with accessibility features included, such as text-to-speech options and adjustable font sizes.
Greater efficiency
When an employee requests certain information, it may take a while for HR to respond. This can be due to both time restraints and because the requested detail may take a while to locate.
The issue is removed when HR chatbots are used. The chatbots source information instantly, with access to HR information to ensure accuracy.
Employees receive personalised support
An unhappy workforce is often one of the leading causes of employee absenteeism. This is often due to employees feeling like they cannot progress. For those seeking internal career opportunities, HR AI Chatbots provide specific, helpful responses.
Improved onboarding experience for new employees
New employees are often overwhelmed in their first couple of weeks. This is due to the large amount of information they are expected to take in.
Onboarding is a key stage of the employee lifecycle, so it’s important to make the process as simple as possible. Chatbots can answer questions regarding a new hire's role and show them the tools they may need. This ensures the transition is a smooth one.
Challenges with implementing HR chatbots
There are many ways that HR AI chatbots can benefit help your company and improve employee experience. But it’s important to also consider the challenges that may come with implementation.
To Implement a HR chatbot, you must have company buy-in and get users onboard. This often includes building a case study and introducing it in a phased way.
Let’s explore three challenges that can come with this process.
Technical issues
HR chatbots offer a lot of potential. But their capabilities can be limited by technical factors. These limitations could include:
- Challenges with natural language processing (NLP), leading to misunderstandings
- Difficulty integrating with existing HR systems
- Limitations in handling complex inquiries
Employee feedback
Encouraging employees to adopt and trust a HR AI chatbot can be a hurdle. Employees may be hesitant to share sensitive information or find the chatbot frustrating. Building trust and ensuring a smooth user experience are crucial for successful implementation.
Data concerns
HR chatbots collect and store employee data. This can raise concerns about privacy and security. Ensuring data is protected and used responsibly is critical.
Transparency about data collection and usage will be key to building employee trust. It's important to ensure they feel comfortable and know their data is secure.
The future of HR chatbots
Utilising chatbots in HR is just the starting point. There are many ways that AI is transforming HR departments for the better. Thanks to natural language processing, we can expect chatbots to become more sophisticated. This allows for more nuanced conversations and accurate responses, saving HR time.
Fosway Group recently reported that 72% of HR professionals plan to expand their use of AI. This shows just how impactful the tool can be.
In the future, HR chatbots may continue to streamline workflows and empower employees with 24/7 access to information.
Improve employee experience with an AI assistant
Getting to grips with HR Chatbots might not be easy, especially if you’re a small company.
However, you can improve the employee experience and save precious HR resources with the help of an AI assistant.
PeopleHR, our suite of HR and payroll solutions, is now powered by Copilot, the AI HR assistant. Find out how we can help you speed up processes and improve your employee experience today.
