Maximising Business Value: Why HR Analytics Should Focus on Understanding the 'Why' Behind Employee Behaviour

HR analytics is an essential tool for organisations seeking to better understand their workforce and make data-driven decisions. However, simply looking at employee data and numbers may not provide the full picture of what is happening within an organisation. To truly understand employee behaviour, HR analytics should also focus on understanding the "why" behind it. Let's look at the case of employee financial wellness.

Understanding the state of employee financial wellness is an excellent example of why HR analytics should delve deeper into the "why" of employee behaviour. Financial wellness refers to an individual's overall financial health, including their ability to manage their money, save for the future, and reduce their reliance on debt. It's a vital aspect of overall wellbeing that can impact an employee's performance, engagement, and overall job satisfaction.

HR analytics can help organisations understand the state of their employees' financial wellness by analysing data such as salary, benefits, and savings scheme participation rates. This information can provide insights into the financial stability of employees, their ability to meet basic needs, and their level of engagement with their work.

However, understanding the "why" behind financial wellness requires a deeper analysis of employee behaviour. For example, HR analytics can help identify patterns in employee behaviour that may indicate financial stress, such as increased absenteeism or requests for salary advances. By looking at these indicators, organisations can gain insight into the underlying causes of employee financial stress and develop targeted interventions to address them.

Moreover, financial wellness is often interconnected with other aspects of an employee's life, such as mental and physical health. HR analytics can help identify these connections by analysing data on employee healthcare costs and insurance utilisation. This information can provide insights into how financial stress may be impacting employee wellbeing and what steps organisations can take to support their employees' overall health and wellbeing.

HR analytics has the potential to offer valuable insights into the state of employee financial wellness and its impact on an organisation's workforce. However, it is essential to look beyond the data and understand the underlying reasons behind employee behaviour. By doing so, organisations can identify potential issues and develop effective strategies to support their employees' wellbeing. By using HR analytics to gain a deeper understanding of their workforce, organisations can create a more engaged and productive work environment that benefits both employees and the organisation as a whole.