7CO01: Enhancing Employee Experience Through Technology Support

This report discusses how organizations can support the use of technology in the workplace to enhance employees' experiences. It highlights three distinct points: increased productivity through tools like cloud computing and AI, cooperative collaboration facilitated by cloud technology and social media, and improved security measures to protect sensitive data. The report emphasizes the importance of cost-management and communication improvements through technology, citing examples like Sainsbury's use of cloud, AI, and data management solutions to improve decision-making and customer satisfaction. Ultimately, the effective integration of technology enhances work-life balance and boosts employee confidence.

Assessment ID/CIPD_7CO01_21_01
Work and working lives in a changing business
environment
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changing business environment.
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» WORK AND WORKING LIVES IN A CHANGING BUSINESS ENVIRONMENT

This unit extends understanding of the interaction between the commercial business environment and
likely future developments in the world of work, employment and the management of people. It discusses
the range of people practices that are growing in importance, including those relating to ethics and
sustainability, employee wellbeing, equality, diversity and inclusion.
» QUESTION 2
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QUESTION2: You have been asked to advise your senior management team ( SMT)about how your
organization can support the use of technology in the workplace in ways which will enhance employees’
experiences of working life. What THREE distinct points would you make? Justify your answer.
INTRODUCTION:
Business environment is constituted of internal and external environmental factors within which changes
occur and affect the overall performance of the enterprise (Möller, Nenonen and Storbacka, 2020). This changing
business environment affects employees in both, positive and negative manner. “Technology” is one of the main
external environmental factors that is almost having positive impact on businesses. The study is based on
‘Sainsbury’s’ - the second largest chain of supermarkets in the United Kingdom. This supermarket entity utilizes
the technology to the great extent which served in managing consumers’ needs and demands by controlling the
huge data efficiently and gained customers or buyers satisfaction.
MAIN BODY:
Ways in which technology in workplace can enhance employees’ experience of working life:
Regarding technology, it can be said that in present days; employers cannot imagine their
business/professional lives without technology. Organizations whether they run at small level or large, they all
implement and make use of technologies to operate and perform their functions and get the work done from
employees in an effective manner. Additionally, it can be said that technology allows employees to be more
engaged, productive, and efficient as well.

There are several examples of technologies that companies utilize and advance to improve their business -
word processing program, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing. Word processing program allow employees
to edit with ease, and they find easier in managing big and complex data.
Some effective examples of advanced technology and ways in which it can be used for improving overall
performance and productivity include: smart card, virtual reality and cloud. By making use of cloud, companies can
manage big data in an effective manner. Along with this, virtual reality can make companies able in providing
information to remote workers and employees who are working from home. It can improve productivity and sales
as well.
The ways in which technology in workplace is increasing employees’ experience such as:
Increase productivity: One of the main advantages that employees and employers can take by using
technology is improving productivity. Competition is increasing day by day and companies are thriving hard for
being in the market and employees must work longer hours for completing a lot of work and tasks, allotted to them.
But technology is the one such as cloud computing, Microsoft word, project management apps like: Asana and
others are majorly assisting them in completing their tasks expertly but also in a timely manner (Kotera and Correa
Vione, 2020). As it is known as Sainsbury’s implement internet of things and artificial intelligence. these technologies make
employees of retailer able in increasing their performance. It makes their work easier and hence increase productivity. Technology
saves workers time as it optimizes their work routine and thus employees find it easier in focusing on important
tasks at their best. By completing all tasks on time and in an easy way, they can improve their productivity and can
increase their experience thus improve their work-life balance.
Cooperative collaboration: Cloud technology is one of the best examples of an effective technology usage
that has made work easierforemployeesandhasincreasedtheirworkexperience.Thiscloudtechnologyhasopened a
world of possibilities and led to several innovative solutions for collaborative projects. Cloud technologies, IM
systems and social media platforms have paved the way for businesses to collaborate with like-minded people
cooperatively. Employees find easier in working with collaboration. Remote workers can easily get connected to
employers from around the globe by making use of this technology where they can engage customers as well. This
collaboration makes them in improving their performance and helps in satisfying needs and demands of customers.
Employees can share their files with others, they can upload files in seconds and the colleague employees’ can edit
and make changes in the shared file, all make their work less distracting and enhance their professional skills by
staying on the same page thus provide a better work experience aswell.
Improved security: Nowadays, managing information has become the crucial part of the organizational
success.Managingsensitiveandlargedataisimportantforcompaniesasitistheresponsibletomakecustomersfeel safe,
secured, and valued. In earlier days, tech savvy hackers were always ahead of the game who could easily tap into
any company’s database with ease. Into days “Data protection and GDPR” era, employees have become smarter,
and they are taking initiative in updating their systems, to save and protect the personal data from getting hacked by
hackers and make customers feel safe and secure (Moore,2018). Sainsbury’s manage big data by making use of
cloud and by using this it can make customers sure that their data is safe with them. It can improve its image and
customers;’ experience as well. Computer security software and algorithm are main examples by which employees
are protecting themselves from data breaches and theft of privacy thus increases employees work experience as
they can provide better services to customers and gain ethical sustainability and corporate social responsibility.
Improve cost-management: Due to increasing competition and increasing hike, companies want to earn
more profit, and they set high profit margin, but it is possible only when they manage their money and perform all
functions in a cost-effective manner. It has become important for employers and employees to invest in the right
tools which help in reducing the workload physically. There are number of tools and technologies that are allowing
employees to save money with monitoring devices and accounting software. Some companies such as - Mint and
XpenditurehavetakentheleadinthefinancialITsectortoprovidegroupaswellasindividualswithviablesolutions to cost
management issues (Igwe, Mohamed and Azwarie, 2020).
Increase communication:Communication is another main key for organizational success. Poor and unclear
communication create several problems and barriers for employees, as workers may find hindrances in completing
their tasks with unsure information. It can increase errors and create lower self-esteem in employees. But
technologies have solved this problem and allow employees to communicate and interact with each other in an
effective and clear manner. By utilizing technologies and appropriates sources of communication, local employees
can even interact with remote workers and can provide them with detailed information that they require for
completing their jobs. It decreases errors and improves their work performance and boost confidence as well. So,
based on this, it can be said that technologies at workplace play a vital role as it increases employees’ experience
and satisfaction.

Thethree mainaspectsaswellaseffectsoftechnologiesthatare beingusedwidelybycompaniesincluding
Sainsbury’s for increasing customers’ satisfaction and experience include: Cloud, AI, and Data management
solutions. All these three main technologies are making easier for employees and retailers in managing large and
complexdata.Analysingbigdatacompetentlythroughtechnology,theycanimprovedecision-makingprocess(Vyas and
Butakhieo, 2021). They find easier in solving problems in an effective manner. By doing so, they can take
competitive advantages and can become the market leader as well. In addition, it is also found that artificial
intelligence handles repetitive work and employees can focus on creative solutions, problem solving and impactful
work. Hence, it can clearly be said that technology increases employees’ experience to the greatestextent.
CONCLUSION:
It has been determined from the above reflective study that technology in workplace provide efficient results
extraordinarily, also it improves quality of work and employee get to learn new things from it. This study has been
clarified that technology involvement in business develop new working experience mainly under the guidance and
involvement of senior authority or experts’ who have intellectual skills to provide appropriate and essential
knowledge in various aspects thus boost workers’ professional experience and working lives.
» REFERENCING AND BIBLIOGRAPHY

Use the space below to cite any external sources used in your question.
Kotera, Y. and Correa Vione, K., 2020. Psychological impacts of the New Ways of Working (NWW): A systematic
review. International journal of environmental research and public health. 17(14). p.5080.
Moore, P.V., 2018. Tracking affective labour for agility in the quantified workplace. Body & Society. 24(3). pp.39-
67.
Vyas, L. and Butakhieo, N., 2021. The impact of working from home during COVID-19 on work and life domains:
an exploratory study on Hong Kong. Policy Design and Practice. 4(1). pp.59-76.
Igwe, U.S., Mohamed, S.F. and Azwarie, M.B.M.D., 2020, July. Recent Technologies in Construction; A
Novel Search for Total Cost Management of Construction Projects. In IOP Conference Series:
Materials Science and Engineering (Vol. 884, No. 1, p. 012041). IOP Publishing.
Question 2 - wordcount: 1143
» QUESTION 6

QuestionswillbereleasedinlinewiththeCIPDmoderationwindow.MOLwillnotifyyouofthechosenquestionsyou need to
answer within the assessment focus area of your course for your selected submissiondate.
Useful guidance
l Look carefully at the question and spend some time identifying exactly what isrequired.
l Setoutsomebriefnotesthatprovideyouwithastructureforyouranswer.Ifyouhavecompletedyouractivities, you can
use your original work to buildon.
l Refer back to these notes and to the question as you write youranswer.
l After writing your answer, check carefully that every part, both within and between the question isanswered.
INSERT YOUR ANSWER IN THE SPACE PROVIDED BELOW. Please ensure you include the question and
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(Please provide your word count at the end of your answer.)
QUESTION 6:In what ways and to what extent does government policy in the field of education affect HR and
L&D practice in organizations? Illustrate your answer with THREE current examples.
INTRODUCTION:
Government policy can be defined as the set of rules and regulations that guide decisions at workplace. This study
willdiscusssomework-relatedpoliciesthatareaffectinglearninganddevelopmentaswellasHRpracticesandtheir impact
on field of education and educationalorganizations.
MAIN BODY:
The extent and ways in which government policy in education affect HR and learning and development practice in
organization
Federal government plays a vital role in increasing knowledge of people and changing human resource
department within organizations. There are number of governmental policies in educational field that are affecting
organization’s HR team and other departments to the greatest extent. Some general principles to education that are
affecting learning and development and HR include - general education for citizenship and specialized vocational
education (Yong and et.al., 2020).
National government assumes a crucial part in expanding information on individuals and changing human
asset office inside associations. There are number of legislative arrangements in instructive field that are
influencing association's HR group and different divisions as far as possible. A few general standards to instruction
are influencing learning and advancement and HR incorporate - general training for citizenship and particular
professional schooling.
Government provides fund for thosestudentswhocomefrombelowpovertylineandcannotaffordeducational and
other needs. Government ensures that children within the society are attending school compulsory by providing
funds to them and thus solves their financial problems. This policy and general principle to education increases
knowledge of children and/or people of society as it encourages them to go to school and gain knowledge. By
completing educational qualification, they make themselves capable in getting into employment. Students get an
employment opportunity after acquiring the knowledge through education provided by government policies and
principles. They utilize their knowledge within organization to help companies in accomplishing their goals and
improve overall business performance. Knowledge and creativity, used by employees through ‘learning and
development programmers’aremakingcompaniescapableofgainingcompetitiveadvantage,increasingprofitmargin and
sales (Subramony and et.al., 2018) and thus improve economic condition of the country and increase living

standards of people. Consequently, it can be said that governmental policies in the field of education affect HR and
L&D in organizations.
Government plays a vital role in increasing skills of employees as it provides fund to organizations and encourage
them to provide training to employees. Along with this, there are number of programs that have been developed by
government for educating people and society members. Government makes sure that everyone has easier access to
education as by attending classes and making themselves educated, they can increase their knowledge and can
make themselves able to get advantages of employment opportunities. There are some programs that have been
developed by the UK government for increasing skills and knowledge of people such as: grants and bursaries,
learners’ support, advanced learning loans and loans for work related training from employers.
Human resources within organisation play a vital role. One of the main functions on which organisational
success depends include - recruitment, selection, motivation, and training & development to employees. HR may
findeasierinrecruitingskilledemployeeswhenthereisavailabilityofskilledemployeesonly,andthisisachievable when
children and students gain knowledge and enhance their skills by attending via education as this has become
possible by government policies for personnel people in educational field. As per government policies like ‘right to
gain knowledge’ through ‘continuous professional development courses’ for example, have encouraged people to
gain knowledge and work experience thus improve creativity, innovation and job satisfaction. Employees use their
knowledge and creativity within organisation and make HR’s functions easier. HR finds easier in recruiting skilled
employees and they do not need to invest much in training and development as employees they recruit are skilled
when HR provides learning and development opportunities to employees within workplace according to the
governmentpoliciestogainknowledgeandrighttoattendingfoundationlearningmakesemployeeslearnnewtalents that
are essential for performing their work tasks and functions competently. Therefore, it is understood that
government plays an important role in making companies accomplishing their goals and profits, foster operational
performance, increase productivity and customers’ satisfaction along with improving the economic condition of
society.
Government has launched number of programs that have increased skills in national market and businesses
have made themselves able in taking competitive advantages by increasing skills via these programs. Government
has made compulsory attendance for students and students are being encouraged to attain classes on regular basis,
It is believed that by increasing knowledge and making easier access to education, government can make positive
changes and can make them able in becoming successful, career development and getting employment
opportunities.
Some positive impacts and benefits of L&D/Training and development programs that help businesses and
employees’ work life such as:
Improves workers’ performance: When employees are being offered with proper training/learning and
development opportunities then it boosts their confidence thus rise in work expertise. They learn better ways of
performing functions in a safe and effective manner which helps them in decreasing errors in their tasks (Karabag,
2020). L&D benefit job satisfaction and high-level performance thus promote better work-life balance and further
helps in employee retention for HR managers, because those workers are more likely to help company in
accomplishing business goals and objectives.
Improve quality of products: When employees learn better ways of performing functions through L&D
practices then it improves their cognitive development. Employees find easier in completing their work and create
an output in an innovative style which leads to high quality of products. By providing qualitative products and
servicestocustomers,theycanattractmorecustomersandcanretainthemwithinthebusinessforthelongrun.Thus improves
the brand of the company where HR’s may find easier in recruiting more skilled employees and therefore training
employees is one of the main keys of education’s success and image in themarket.
Aids in company’s competitive advantage: When employees participate in learning and development
programmes and take advantage of government educational policies then it makes them organised and competitive.
Employees can make themselves up to date with information that they gather or knowledge that they gain through
training sessions, make them confident to take initiative in industry competition productively (Darling-Hammond
and et.al., 2020). They are more likely to bring initiation and ambition into business. Companies that are innovative
and provide unique features of products and services to customers are more likely to become competitive. Hence, it
can be said that learning and development practices and government educational policies play a vital role in
increasing knowledge of employees in making them productive and maintain social responsibility.

CONCLUSION:
Thereupon, it can be said that government policies and training or learning and development practices not only
playamajorroleinmakingHRprofessionalsineducationsectortobeorganised,competentandproductivebutalso
helpemployeestolearnandbeskilled,consistent,andgrowprofessionallywellintheircareerstothegreaterextent. Thus,
serves in best function of educational organisation to maintain sustainability and expand innovation and creativity
with their business activities whilst maintaining socialresponsibility.
» REFERENCING AND BIBLIOGRAPHY

Use the space below to cite any external sources used in your question.
Yong, J.Y. and et.al., 2020. Pathways towards sustainability in manufacturing organizations: Empirical evidence on
the role of green human resource management. Business Strategy and the Environment, 29(1), pp.212-228.
Subramony, M. and et.al., 2018. Leadership development practice bundles and organizational performance: The
mediating role of human capital and social capital. Journal of business research. 83. pp.120-129.
Karabag, S.F., 2020. An unprecedented global crisis! The global, regional, national, political, economic and
commercial impact of the coronavirus pandemic. Journal of Applied Economics and Business
Research. 10(1). pp.1-6.
Darling-Hammond, L. and et.al., 2020. Implications for educational practice of the science of learning and
development. Applied Developmental Science. 24(2). pp.97-140.
Question 6 - wordcount: 939
» QUESTION 11