More businesses are bringing HR and IT closer together, sometimes merging them, as organisations chase faster digital transformation and the operational promise of AI.
The change is being driven at board level, but it raises questions about how it will impact workplace culture.
Anyone considering blending HR and IT should consider the full scope of the decision before it is too late.
Why are firms combining HR and IT?
Companies have begun to believe that the move removes friction between people, strategy, and the technology that enables people to get on with things.
As AI becomes increasingly involved in the management of people, it does seem only logical that these two departments would find a lot of common ground.
It is hoped that a joined-up operating model can accelerate decision-making and streamline digital investment.
However, while many focus on the positives of faster decision-making with better data, the change requires disciplined leadership to avoid treating people as numbers on a spreadsheet.
To avoid this, HR must retain control over people policy and recruitment standards to better ensure fair treatment while apportioning the responsibility for tech management to the IT team.
If those boundaries blur without clear governance, then it could cause a mess of compliance issues with no one in the organisation being quite sure where the limits of their responsibility end.
How can I approach a merger or tighter partnership between HR and IT?
As with most new things, it is best to start small and purposeful.
Pilot a joint team focused on one clear outcome, whether that is optimising existing procedure or trying out something new.
You should also review and update policy regularly to ensure that everyone is aware of their rights and responsibilities as things begin to change.
It is imperative that you run a Data Protection Impact Assessment before introducing any AI or people-analytics tool, and set explicit rules on algorithmic transparency and human oversight.
Ultimately, giving a human the final say over any decision will always be the safest strategy as AI can be biased in its decision-making in ways that are not always apparent.
Keep in mind that AI is a tool designed to help people do their jobs, rather than a method of replacing them.
