A frank, self-critical look at Tech’s pitfalls - and a few tips to tackle some major problems: the weight of collective unconscious in Tech’s mythical story, the difficulty in developing new talent from diverse backgrounds and the near-absence of women.

MOVING BEYOND RHETORIC… TOWARD CONCRETE ACTION!

In 2023, hiring developers remains challenging. This job is booming, profiles are in high demand and the market still struggles to match supply with demand.

Moreover, the field has yet to inspire vocations among more atypical backgrounds and the female population remains underrepresented.

If we want to change this situation - which hurts businesses and society - we must move past attempts to fix the digital problem at school purely by focusing on technology: for example, just loading up middle schools and high schools with gadgets.

Let’s consider other approaches - like teaching “language skills” to code, and thereby inspiring budding developers in the process…

Questions abound: how do we teach programming? Who does the teaching? How do we spark career interest? These are far more relevant issues that we need to address now.

CHANGING OUR PERSPECTIVE… TO DISCOVER AND REVEAL NEW TALENTS

This is ultimately about humans - their biases, identification needs, individual and collective imaginations, representations, and projections…

It seems logical, then, to bring in the social sciences and humanities: history, sociology, psychology, anthropology, ethnology. The idea is to bring in more unconventional profiles, to tap different learning and life journeys and thereby grow a new generation of developers.

One example is the work of Georges Balandier, who introduced the concept of “techno-imaginary” (the importance of machines in our contemporary imagination, shaped by mythical stories), and of Pascal Plantard - a digital anthropology researcher at Rennes 2 University (and, by the way, let’s not just focus on Paris for our reflections).

Plantard reminds us that techno-imaginaries form the foundational material of representations, fueling and guiding digital practices.

Studying this could help us figure out why young women self-censor. And we can move past “geek shut-in” clichés - because IT projects are often team efforts.

Indeed, research on techno-centrism encourages us to analyze these imaginary narratives, mostly shaped by Anglo-Saxon, male-dominated references. Part of our answer may lie there…

DRAWING ON REALITY… AND GIVING WOMEN THE PLACE THEY DESERVE…

Yet France - and other countries - boast numerous historical success stories and entrepreneurial models in research and industry that could match any Anglo-Saxon achievements (or those of Asia).

Take, for instance, the French company Jeulin, which, from the mid-1980s onward, offered educational solutions featuring touchscreens and robots for teaching computer science. Pascal Plantard highlights how this is rarely remembered.

Somehow, mainstream history remembers only the “great male programmers.” But if we go all the way back to the 1800s, we find Ada Lovelace - Lord Byron’s daughter and a friend of Charles Babbage - who invented the world’s first theoretical software algorithm!

Closer to our time, at Bletchley Park during WWII, pioneering women programmers cracked German codes. Alan Turing wasn’t alone - but he is the one widely featured in a movie…

And Margaret Hamilton was a key figure in the Apollo program, heading the flight software team. The term “software engineering” is hers. We might also mention African American women mathematicians in the US space program, as well as Grace Hopper, who - holding a Ph.D. in math - helped create COBOL in 1959.

…TO REWRITE TECH’S MYTHICAL NARRATIVES!

Though these pioneers were long overshadowed, the tide is gradually turning. That momentum is rewriting the grand mythical narratives and reshaping how we view both individual imagination and collective imagery in tech.

We should keep telling these big stories, much like France did with space exploration via Thomas Pesquet (another man!) and Claudie Haigneré - the first French woman in space - so young women no longer feel excluded from the digital universe.

WORKING LONG-TERM ON THE “EDUCATION, SOCIETY, RECRUITMENT” TRIPTYCH

Along with high-level changes, we must also tackle things at the grassroots. Specifically, our recruitment processes must be as open as possible: engineering schools, universities, short-track degrees like BTS…

The same goes for programming languages and Linux-type environments. That’s how we’ll find “tinkerers,” in the anthropological sense, where innovation is a process of borrowing, modifying or newly recombining existing elements, as paleoanthropologist Pascal Picq suggests.

Finally, let’s revisit how we engage with engineering schools, where faculty often fail to consider industrial concerns.

You see, shaking up the “education-society-recruitment” trio will take a major and extended effort to spark interest in every digital job (not just whatever’s hot right now).

In the end, the best way to train - and hire - more developers and especially women in this field might just be perseverance: picking up the pilgrim’s staff to inform and persuade countless people, for many (more) years to come!

Check out ACT-ON TECHNOLOGY job openings.
Got a project? Contact us.

Today, being a payroll manager no longer means (just) managing repetitive manual tasks. Thanks to the functionalities offered by management tools, payroll professionals have become data analysts within HR departments, and now play a role in providing information and advice to other departments, as well as to employees. Faced with the transformation of the profession, what are the fundamentals to follow? Here's a look at 10 best practices to help you excel!

1. ENSURE FLAWLESS, ON-TIME PAYROLL!

While the environment in which a payroll administrator works may be changing, the raison d'être of the job remains unchanged. It's all about ensuring that all payrolls are sent and received on time, and without error. This contributes to an optimal employee experience: any shortcomings in this area are likely to lead to disengagement and loss of confidence on the part of employees.

What's more, punctuality and accuracy in payroll are closely linked to job security: an essential factor at a time when more than 1 in 2 workers say they are concerned about the impact of the global economic situation on their income.^[1]

A must for payroll professionals: to provide an accurate payslip, sent on time and without errors, it is now possible to rely on management tools that avoid spending time on repetitive tasks linked to data entry, monitoring and checking data reliability.^[2]

2. MASTERING EARNINGS AND DEDUCTIONS...

Earnings and deductions codes make pay slip calculations complex. At a time when 93% of a payroll professional's time is still spent on recurring tasks,^[3] a payroll automation solution can help you carry out this task without making mistakes, and save precious time... which you can use to answer employees' questions about the calculation of their payslip.

3. PROCESS CHANGES DURING THE PAYROLL CYCLE

To guarantee the best employee experience, it is essential to be able to process hours worked and overtime in real time, so that they are taken into account in the current month's payroll.

A key point to understand when upgrading your business: the processing of modifications depends on the retroactivity capability of your payroll solution, especially with the "fait générateur" (generating event) that will be implemented in 2027.^[4] Once again, choosing the right tool can help you gain flexibility in this area.

4. APPLY THE 4-EYE RULE

When it comes to payroll, the 4-eyes rule means having a second person review and approve payroll changes made by one administrator.

As you know, payroll is the biggest expense for the majority of employers: this audit is a way of protecting the company, as well as yourself.

5. KEEP CERTIFICATIONS UP TO DATE

To guarantee payroll security, make sure your management tool is certified. By extension, you can also obtain certifications to keep up to date with best practices in your field, as well as to demonstrate your mastery of the payroll solution you're using. A great way to keep your expertise up to date!

How do you choose the right payroll solution provider?

Instinctively (and rightly), we think of selecting a tool whose functionalities help you to achieve your objectives: organization and data management, HR administration...

Another key point is that a supplier who supports you in the evolution of your business must be ISO-certified.^[5] Legal innovations have an impact on day-to-day payroll management. In this respect, certification is a real vote of confidence, and a guarantee that the solution provided is effective.

6. HAVE A BACK-UP PLAN... ALWAYS!

What's the point of having a payroll contingency plan? This protective measure makes it possible to deal with unforeseen events, while respecting the time constraints imposed by the payroll cycle.

What does a contingency plan look like in practice? For example, you could create a process for revalidating payments from the previous period and correcting errors in the next payroll cycle. For this plan to be applicable in an emergency situation, it is essential to document and test it in advance. ^[6]

7. DOCUMENT PAYROLL PROCESS STEPS

This is essential to enable other professionals to take over in case of absence. To do this, arm yourself with pedagogy and train (or have trained) one or more of your colleagues.

These 4 tips will help you fulfill your mission:

• Take a step back and map out all the steps in the payroll process. Make sure you present them in a clear, easily accessible and comprehensible document.

• Test the process with the people who will be taking over from you, in your presence and on their own.

• Take the time to explain to your replacements all the issues and responsibilities involved in payroll management.

• Regularly update your payroll documentation.

8. PROVIDE RELIABLE REPORTS TO FINANCE

The data contained in the GL (General Ledger) report must be able to be processed automatically. Setting up your payroll management tool will enable you to calibrate the format of your reports so that they can be easily exploited, as well as limiting errors.^[7] Mastering the tool that provides this data is therefore crucial: the trust placed in the payroll manager depends on it.

Finally, it's a way of streamlining work between the Finance and HR departments: as a payroll professional, you act as a link between these two business families.

9. STAY UP TO DATE WITH LEGAL AND CONVENTIONAL WATCH

Halfway between "Finance" and "HR", the payroll manager is also a legal referent: it is his or her responsibility to keep abreast of and apply current regulations.

How can I keep up to date with all the latest legal developments? While technical monitoring is essential, payroll professionals can also count on a high-performance payroll solution to apply all new legislation.

Some solutions on the market have been modeled, and legal and contractual monitoring is carried out directly by the publisher. ^[8]
Our expert payroll and payroll outsourcing can also help you with this time-consuming task 🙂

10. CREATE VISUAL, IMPACTFUL REPORTS FOR MANAGEMENT

A good analyst, the payroll manager is able to provide the CoDir, ComEx or ExCo with usable and comprehensible reports. This is a strategic mission, enabling them to pass on their expertise and support the company's development.

How can data analyses be presented so that they are fully accessible, understood and taken into account? For example, it's possible to use dashboards or graphs that can be accessed in real time, and shared with management.

THE WORLD OF PAYROLL IS NOT SET IN STONE...

In the digital age, the job of payroll administrator is gradually being enriched with new missions, going far beyond the calculation of remuneration.

Guaranteeing faultless payroll, mastering the subtleties of regulations, anticipating legal changes, documenting processes and reporting clear, reliable data: these are the fundamentals that enable payroll professionals to position themselves as an essential pillar of HR and Finance departments.

Far from being static, this role is constantly being reinvented, thanks to technological innovations and the transformation of organizations. By investing in the right solutions and adopting these best practices, you affirm the strategic role of payroll professionals within organizations, and play an active part in their evolution.

Armed with the right cards, it's up to you to play!

You want to professionalize your payroll department and...

• Adopt new practices at the cutting edge of digital technology?

• Evaluate your current tools and identify the functionalities that are essential in your context?

• Explore different ISO-certified payroll solutions to guarantee the security and reliability of your processes.

• Develop your skills through certification and specialized training.

• Call on our experts to help you implement a flawless payroll and build a genuine HR strategy.
  

Contact us!

Discover ACT-ON HRIS.

[1] OpinionWay Barometer, Confidence and well-being at work, 2022.

[2] French Ministry of Labor, Guide pratique du gestionnaire de paie, 2023 edition.

[3] Silae survey, Observatoire de la Paie, 2022.

[4] Collection reform project, Bulletin officiel des finances publiques, 2022.

[5] International Organization for Standardization (ISO), ISO 9001:2015 & ISO 27001:2013 standards.

[6] Ordre des Experts-Comptables, Les indispensables de la paie, 2021.

[7] Association nationale des directeurs financiers, Report on the digitalization of the finance function, 2021.

[8] Deloitte, Payroll digitization and outsourcing study, 2023.

Un groupe phare de l’hôtellerie de luxe en Suisse, comptant plus de 1 000 collaborateurs, a fait appel à ACT-ON SWITZERLAND pour l’accompagner dans la structuration de son écosystème SIRH et le choix de sa future solution LMS.

THE NEED…

• Carry out an HRIS urbanization study to frame all functional bricks (Core HR, Talent, LMS, Payroll, etc.).
• Define the specific needs related to digital training and integrate them into the overall HR & HRIS strategy.
• Steering the selection process through a structured approach: drafting the RFI (Request For Information), analyzing the responses, then launching an RFP (Request For Proposal) with the shortlisted vendors.
• Support the customer in the functional, technical and budgetary evaluation of the proposed LMS solutions.

OUR ANSWER…

• Ensure the coherence and sustainability of HRIS architecture, anticipating future integrations.
• Identify an LMS aligned with the standards of excellence and business needs of the luxury hotel industry.
• Guarantee a transparent and objective selection process, facilitating decision-making.
• Lay solid foundations for future integration of the LMS into the HR ecosystem.

CUSTOMER BENEFITS…

Recommendations for smooth integration during the next phases of the project.

Clear, shared vision of target HRIS urbanization.

End-to-end RFI/RFP process, with detailed analysis of market solutions.

Informed choice of LMS, meeting business needs, user expectations and the customer's technical constraints.

A project in Switzerland? Contact ACT-ON SWITZERLAND

A project anywhere else? Contact ACT-ON GROUP

According to a recent study by McKinsey, almost 40% of workers will need to acquire new skills by 2030 to remain competitive in the job market.^[1] Indeed, AI is reinventing process automation on repetitive, low value-added tasks, freeing up time for higher value-added activities. A transformation that would operate like a veritable groundswell. But beyond the fears, there are real opportunities to be seized!

Far from being a simple replacement tool, AI acts as a catalyst for redefining and rethinking human roles. It stimulates creativity, facilitates collaboration and opens up new perspectives in a variety of fields, from science to the arts, not forgetting human resources.

However, to take full advantage of these opportunities, a massive re-skilling is essential, with a focus on skills such as critical thinking, adaptability and mastery of digital technologies.^[2]

This state of affairs should now be HRDs' number 1 priority...

WHAT DOES THE MCKINSEY STUDY REVEAL ABOUT FRANCE?

A massive transformation of professions and an urgent need for retraining

It highlights several key points concerning the impact of AI on skills in France. It points out that AI could automate up to 27% of current tasks by 2030, a figure that could rise to 45% by 2035 in some sectors.

This automation will require a massive re-skilling of skills, with an emphasis on critical thinking, collaboration and technical competence.

AI is generating an increased demand for specific skills:

• Critical thinking and complex problem solving: necessary to work alongside AI in dynamic contexts.

Example. A recruiter using AI to shortlist candidates needs to analyze the system's suggestions. He needs to identify whether any biases are present in the results and adjust the criteria to ensure an inclusive and fair recruitment process.

• Collaboration and interpersonal skills: human interaction and emotional management are becoming increasingly important.

Example. An HR manager working with multicultural teams needs to use AI tools to analyze employee engagement data. He then needs to organize workshops.

• Mastering technical skills: understanding and using technological tools is becoming an imperative in almost every sector.

Example. A payroll manager needs to master AI-based HRIS software to automate complex compensation calculations and detect potential errors, while ensuring compliance with constantly changing social and tax regulations .

Macroeconomic challenges specific to France

The study also highlights the macro-economic and structural challenges specific to France...

• Productivity slowdown: French productivity is growing at a slower pace than that of its European neighbors and the United States. This has a direct impact on business competitiveness and national economic growth.

• Falling working population: an ageing population is reducing the number of available workers, accentuating tensions on the job market.

Growing tensions on the job market: companies are struggling to recruit in key sectors, exacerbated by the mismatch between skills available and those in demand.

A differentiated impact by sector

AI is positioned as a solution to these challenges. It offers powerful tools for improving operational efficiency, enhancing human capabilities and stimulating innovation. However, its adoption remains slower in France, due to a cautious approach focused on social acceptability and the gradual nature of change.

However, the situation varies from one sector to another...

• Technology and financial industries: these sectors have adopted AI at a steady pace thanks to massive investment and a well-established technology culture.

• Healthcare and retail: these sectors are progressing more slowly, but offer significant potential for automating certain functions. In the healthcare sector, AI can improve diagnostics through medical imaging analysis and facilitate the personalization of treatments. In retail, it is used to optimize inventories, predict demand and improve the customer experience through personalized recommendations.

OUTLOOK AND RECOMMENDATIONS

When it comes to AI, French companies have a central role to play. Although 80% of companies have already integrated AI into at least one function, only 8% have deployed it on a large scale.

The main obstacles? Intellectual property protection, the risk of AI-related errors and low technological maturity.

To take full advantage of the opportunities offered by AI, several recommendations can be made...

1. Invest in ongoing training: companies should organize ongoing training programs to enable their employees to acquire AI skills, such as data analysis or mastery of technological tools.

2. Rethinking work models: it's not just a question of automating, but of profoundly transforming processes. This means rethinking working methods to better integrate AI, such as adopting hybrid models blending human and machine.

3. Collaborate with the ecosystem: involve partners, employees and public institutions to ensure an equitable transition. Companies can join sector-based initiatives to pool resources, share best practices and co-develop innovative solutions.

4. Valuing human capital: transformation is not just about integrating technologies, but placing people at the heart of projects to create a sustainable and inclusive future.

ACT-ON GROUP: PUTTING OUR EXPERTISE TO WORK FOR YOUR DIGITAL TRANSFORMATION!

At ACT-ON GROUP, our leitmotiv and market positioning is "HumanTech". We are convinced that the digital transformation of companies will require AI. Our expertise is based on four business lines: HRIS, STRATEGY, DATA and TECHNOLOGY. Each makes a specific contribution to supporting our customers in this specific technological revolution:

• Help executives draw up strategic plans to align their business objectives with the integration of AI.

• Deploy intelligent learning platforms that tailor training paths to employees' individual needs.

• Offer specific tools for payroll management or time and activity management (TAM), with a pedagogical and practical approach to support companies in their transformation.

• Consolidate, structure and add value to your (HR) data for informed decision-making and smoother collaborative processes, in particular with our solution DATA for people.

• Develop specific platforms embedding AI or advanced automation tools that reduce the burden of repetitive tasks, enabling teams to focus on high value-added projects.

Artificial intelligence is much more than just a technological advance: it represents an unprecedented opportunity to reinvent the job market and meet the economic and social challenges facing France.

However, this transition requires coordinated action and a strong commitment on the part of companies, public institutions and social partners.

At ACT-ON GROUP, we firmly believe that the success of this transformation depends on a balanced approach between technological innovation and human capital development.

As a strategic ally, we offer our expertise and customized solutions to help companies meet these challenges, while creating sustainable opportunities for their employees and their ecosystem.

An HR & AI project? Contact us!

[1] L’IA et l’évolution des compétences en France, Institut de l’entreprise, McKinsey & Company, Déc. 2024.

[2] IA et RH : quels impacts sur la gestion des compétences en 2024 ?, Culture RH, Janv. 2024.