Dive Brief:

• The latest Paychex Pulse of HR Survey shows that two-thirds of HR professionals in small to midsize firms are considered strategic partners with their organizations. The path to getting them there has been largely tied to technology.
• In companies with between 50 an 500 employees, 75% of survey respondents said their role has moved beyond the typical HR administrative functions and that they're now engaged in discussions with other leaders about their organization's direction. Only 13% of respondents said their role is still viewed as administrative. 
• The survey also shows that four in 10 HR leaders meet once a week with the CEO or CFO. And about one-third can access top management as needed. 

Dive Insight:

The survey is great news for HR professionals, who have long identified areas that showcase their abilities as top leaders in their organizations. Understanding business financials and global initiatives are two of those areas.

It's no surprise that technology helped HR land at seat at the C-suite "table." HR has lead technological transformations in organizations for some time, having automated many of its own functions to ease procedural burden. HR leaders are in a key position to utilize data and data storytelling to inform company leaders of what the organizational needs are. People are, after all, a company's biggest resource — and biggest expense. Managing employees in a way that keeps them productive and engaged matters to the future of the company.

To see what happens when HR isn't included in strategic thinking, one only needs to look at young startups that have faulted thanks to little or no HR leadership. To keep growth strong, HR and employees need to be put first.