According to research by software company Sage People recent events have impacted the role of HR, increasing their value in the eyes of the business.

Sage interviewed 1500 global HR leaders, business executives and employees, and found that 87 per cent of C-suite executives say the pandemic has accelerated changes in HR - with 72 per cent of HR leaders believing other peoples’ understanding of their function has increased.  Fifty-nine per cent said that they felt they played a more influential role in the company.

Due to the pressure on companies by the pandemic, business leaders have had to adapt quickly, and HR leaders have been at the forefront of that adaptation and transformation.

However, more than half - 57 per cent - of C-suite executives still saw HR as a largely administrative function, despite the same proportion viewing them as equal leadership partners in the organisation.

Regarding HR workload, 76 per cent of senior executives felt the amount of work placed on HR departments was acceptable, even though 60 per cent of HR professionals have experienced an increase in administrative and strategic tasks.

Sage found that six in ten employees thought that HR’s role had become more strategic and people focused, with 25 per cent saying this change had been substantial - and 54 per cent of employees also saying they now have improved knowledge and understanding of HR’s role and value.

The research revealed that the pandemic has heightened the focus on technology and digital transformation - but there is a lack of confidence amongst HR leaders about skills.  Thirty-six per cent of HR leaders feel there is a lack of investment to make this a reality and only 53 per cent believe they have the right skills and tools for what lies ahead.

Paul Burrin - Vice President of Product, Sage People - said:

“HR has taken on more responsibilities and helped guide the business through ongoing disruption and accelerated digital transformation. However, this has often created additional workloads which automation can help manage, increasing HR productivity, while enabling organisations to become more agile and resilient.

2020 marked a year where HR’s leaders became champions of change and both executives and employees alike have realised the greater role that HR has taken on. HR and People leaders can capitalise on this and use this opportunity to cast aside older, more cumbersome ways of working to focus instead on quicker, iterative cycles of work. In this way—with the help of automation, cloud technology, and self-service—HR can focus on maintaining influence and building a more resilient workforce that is more prepared for future challenges ahead.”