“Mobile-First Approach To All HR Processes”: RIL's Shan Mohammed

Shan Mohammed, Lead - Group HR Digitisation, Reliance Industries (RIL), describes how HR Tech is impacting workplace dynamics for the better in his organisation. RIL was among award winners in ‘Excellence in HR Technology’ as part of HR Excellence Awards 

How is your organisation making optimum use of technology for HR issues and what have been the most significant transformations as a result of HR Technology?

Our organisation has been at the forefront of leveraging technology to address HR challenges, driving significant transformations in the process which are as follows: 

• Data-Driven Decision Making: Our organisation has adopted HR analytics tools that allow Business & HR leaders to make informed decisions based on real-time data. For example, capability building and talent mobility data helps in identifying skill gaps and improving talent management strategies. 
• AI-Powered Learning Recommendations: With the help of AI in our internal learning platform we are transforming the way employees engage with learning and development. By leveraging artificial intelligence, the learning platform can analyse job role requirements, individual learning patterns, preferences, and performance data to deliver personalised learning experiences.
• Wellness & Inclusion Initiatives:Our organisation has harnessed technology (Jio Events) to launch wellness programmes that cater to the physical and mental wellbeing of its employees. Additionally, the use of a digital platform for diversity and inclusion awareness has helped create a more inclusive workplace culture. 
• Mobile First Approach: The organisation has taken a mobile-first approach to all HR processes. A mobile-first HR platform allows employees to access HR services anytime and anywhere, e.g. checking payslips, applying for leave, accessing training modules.

What difference has AI made in the HR domain?

Artificial Intelligence has revolutionised the HR domain, and Reliance has been at the forefront of leveraging AI to enhance its overall employee experience. Here's how AI has made a significant difference:

• AI proctored employee assessments: PeopleFirst's Assessment Proctoring Tool utilises advanced AI and machine learning to monitor the behaviour of examinees. It employs facial recognition, eye movement tracking, keystroke analysis, and detection of unauthorised objects like mobile devices. By analysing these behavioural patterns, the tool can detect and flag suspicious activities in real time, ensuring the highest level of integrity during assessments.

• Enhanced Visibility of Talent Pool: The digital Talent Marketplace (TMP) has significantly improved the visibility of the internal talent pool, enabling effective identification and utilisation of existing talent. This facilitates the swift assembly of cross-functional teams for critical business demands, rapid resourcing, and team augmentation for short-term projects, ultimately fostering agility, efficiency, and enhanced business performance.

• Improved learning engagement: AI enhances personalised learning experiences via AI-driven Learning Management Systems (LMS), which suggest courses tailored to employees' roles, career goals, and previous learning activities. This focused approach ensures that employees receive training relevant to their career growth, resulting in a more skilled and motivated workforces.

While it is widely believed that technology eliminates biases in recruitments and promotions, how are human aspects like empathy taken care of? 

Technology helps reduce biases that the subconscious may create while evaluating a candidate’s profile. Though we have employed technology in the HR domain, human intervention at various stages of an employee lifecycle is an absolute must.

HR Tech can integrate tools that assess emotional intelligence and soft skills, but it is the HR professionals who interpret these results and apply empathy in decision-making. 

Be it the first day’s excitement for an employee to join a new team, key milestones such as service anniversaries, recognitions or promotions, unfortunate events such as illness or the last day’s mixed feelings, HR technology enables HR professionals to do the best for their employees while being efficient and effective.