HR change management best practices

Every company must be able to adapt. A typical aspect of managing a business is change. Research by Gartner shows that 99% of companies have experienced major changes recently. Managers must be good at handling change to help their companies succeed. However, there are many difficulties in making changes. Problems can range from workers resisting change to poor communication. Managers must be ready to deal with these issues. Here’s a summary of what good change management involves, along with important strategies for managing change well.

What does HR change management mean?

HR change management is when the human resources team helps employees adjust to changes in the company. These changes might involve business procedures, company structure, rules, or culture. Some activities in HR change management include doing surveys, setting up training sessions, and looking after employee well-being. HR change management focuses on reducing interruptions, keeping work output high, and maintaining employee enthusiasm even after recent changes.

What does effective change management look like?

Effective change management involves introducing new rules, steps, and plans smoothly, as stated by the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM).  The success of these changes depends on their scale, type, and the specific goals they intend to improve, known as key performance indicators (KPIs). The size and nature of the change and the key performance indicators (KPIs) it aims to enhance are among the factors that impact success. However, it’s crucial to note that successful change management involves not only metrics but also the employees. Leaders often face resistance to change, which they must address to ensure the organization transitions successfully.

When is change management needed?

The dynamic nature of the corporate environment has made change management a critical component of operations management. Here are some typical situations where organizations need to manage change effectively:

• Introducing new technology
• Dealing with mergers and acquisitions
• Changes in leadership
• Adjustments in organizational culture
• Handling crises or rebuilding trust

Using change management as an HR Strategy

Good change management techniques make sure that workplace modifications follow legal and ethical requirements and are by the organization’s goals. Over time, adding new employees and training might become more expensive due to ineffective change management.  It can also severely impair worker morale and productivity, which makes it more difficult to meet organizational objectives. Investing in good change management practices helps maintain a smooth operation and keeps everyone more satisfied.

The importance of change management in Human Resource Management

Let’s look at why change management is crucial in human resource management.

• Assisting managers during the process.HR teams can provide helpful support and guidance to managers who often deal with change or introduce new procedures. They offer the necessary knowledge, tools, and skills to manage change effectively and can advise managers on typical resistance areas and how to address them.

 

• Ensuring a seamless transition. Change that is not well-managed can disturb a company’s daily operations. For example, implementing a new CRM system may cause delays or missed deadlines in business operations. However, HR specialists can lessen interruptions and guarantee that corporate operations run smoothly with a well-executed change management procedure.

 

• Encouraging employees to support and be dedicated to new changes. Having employees support and be dedicated to new changes is very important, especially for big companies with many teams and departments. To make changes work, you need everyone to be on board. With help from HR, employees can be more accepting of changes that improve things. This can make employees more open to change over time, making the whole process easier for the company. HR is essential to managing change. It facilitates the easy implementation of changes and ensures staff involvement. By using good tools and plans, HR can help guide changes so they match the company’s goals and lead to success.

Best practices for HR change management in the workplace

It can be difficult to manage changes in the workplace, particularly when they include updating technology. It implies that workers must pick up new skills, which can be very stressful if not managed properly. But there are some important guidelines that every company should follow:

1. Set clear objectives

Each change initiative should be clearly outlined. While it’s not always simple to set specific goals for managing change, companies should aim to be as clear as possible. This helps employees and managers know what to look at when they assess how well the changes are being implemented.

2. Be open and truthful

Over thirty percent of workers believe that their managers don’t always tell the whole story.

Bosses must be transparent and truthful with their employees for changes to go well.

Many workers are not comfortable with changes, so being open and honest during the entire change process helps to build trust and a good relationship with them.

3. Train and comfort your teams

Help your employees by giving them support, providing new training, and allowing them time to get used to new ways of doing things. Showing understanding and comfort can make the process go faster and make future changes easier for the company. Additionally, be sure to establish good communication with the supervisors right away.

4. Encourage talking and keep in touch

How employees get along with each other has a big effect on how they talk about changes before, during, and after they happen. Have an open talk with your employees to learn how they feel about the new plans. Remember that real communication is a back-and-forth.

5. Pay attention to what your workers say

To make sure everyone is involved and talking, you need to listen to your employees. Let them start discussions where they can ask questions, share their thoughts, and suggest ways to improve things, preferably in a group setting with their coworkers.

6. Get your managers to support changes

Good change management helps businesses improve in many ways. However, it can be hard to explain these benefits to company leaders. Businesses need to show the actual benefits of change management and tell leaders about them to get their support for the changes.

7. Use the best way to communicate

Many people in the office want a simpler way to talk than just using emails, especially those who are good with technology. Many emails often go unread, leading to the loss of crucial information. Select an employee communication and engagement tool that your staff will genuinely enjoy using and that will continue to be valuable for the company even after the change management process is over. Ensure that your chosen tool is easy to use on mobile devices. Most people who are of working age are accustomed to managing everything on their smartphones. Therefore, company tools should be designed to work well on mobile devices.

8. Give your employees more control

Encourage your change management leaders and employees to participate in the change process by allowing them to make their own decisions and try out new ideas. If your employees don’t feel they have control, their interest in the changes will decrease, and they may resist the new changes.

9. Promote the sharing of information

Some workers may pick up new skills and adjust to changes more quickly than others. But when employees share what they know with each other, it can help everyone learn faster. Using tools like Hailo can make sharing knowledge within a company simple and enjoyable for everyone, and it also helps promote your company’s values and culture.

10. Keep records and make them easy to find

Just writing things down isn’t enough if your team can’t find the information they need. Having all the important papers and information in one central location can greatly simplify the process of managing changes. Did you know that employees hunt for information for 2.5 hours a day on average? This can be quite grating and discouraging, particularly when attempting to manage changes.

11. Acknowledge and praise

Many employees, about 77%, believe they would work more diligently if their efforts were noticed. So, showing appreciation can be a powerful way to encourage them to accept and speed up the implementation of new changes. Praise and reward employees for their achievements and for embracing new habits during the transition period. Highlight successes and important steps along the way.

12. Share it with others

If you’re introducing a new technology that you’re excited about, let everyone know! Today’s communication tools make it simple for you and your staff to spread the word both inside and outside the company. Having enthusiastic employees who support the company can also greatly assist in finding new talent and hiring.

Embrace change with UNLEASH

Managing change within a company can be challenging, but it becomes much simpler when everyone feels involved, connected, and secure. UNLEASH helps everyone understand why changes are happening and how to benefit from them by addressing concerns and being open about the process. With UNLEASH’s methods, you’ll notice teams becoming more dedicated and in sync, increased enthusiasm, and improved outcomes from these changes. At UNLEASH, we make sure your events not only adjust to change but excel at it. Whether you want to enhance safety in your culture, build team trust, or increase efficiency, UNLEASH supports you with proven strategies based on thorough research. Let’s make change not only possible but also easier and more enjoyable together!