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Technological innovations are changing the industrial landscape. As technology transforms the world, the HR function needs to focus on embracing automation and other technologies that promise efficiency, service effectiveness and cost savings. Deployment of robotic process automation (RPA) can help (a) to offer better service to employees and managers (b) ensure compliance of HR processes with standards and regulations (c) facilitate rapid initiation and completion of HR processes (d) enhance efficiencies by digitizing data and auditing process data (e) improve HR productivity and cost savings by automating manual and repetitive tasks. A robust and structured approach needs to be in place to identify HR processes that can be automated using the RPA approach. In this paper the authors (a) suggest a four step approach – validation, assessment, evaluation and classification - to analyze processes and verify their suitability for automation using RPA (b) identify HR processes that has relevance for the RPA approach within the broad areas of HR Strategy, Talent Acquisition, Talent Development & Performance Management, Compensation & Benefits, HR Operations and Employee Relations (c) recommend a process for mapping HR RPA propensity. A case study is also presented for greater clarity on adoption of RPA in HR processes.

The rapid evolution of technology is having a significantimpact on work, workplaces and the HR function. Thefunction is under demand to address a range of questionsthat includes adding strategic value, greater use oftechnology in HR processes, and making the workforcemore agile. In the first part, the paper provides aconceptual overview of the complex forces of changeimpacting workplaces, work and HR. Next, currentliterature and industry reports have been reviewed tooffer insights on how companies could choose differentapproaches to respond to these complex forces of change -Pathfinding HR, Searching HR, and Disconnected HR.Finally, the paper makes recommendations on the fourHR capabilities - workforce shaping, passing the culturetest, employee experience by design and workforceinsights - companies need to develop to be future-ready.