| | AUGUST 2025MANAGEHRMAGAZINE.COM8In MyOpinionHR 2.0: TECHNOLOGY, TALENT AND THE PATH TO EXCELLENCEBy Jody Joles, Director Human Resources Operations, Comfort Systems USAInsights about Professional Journey and Current ResponsibilitiesI have a strong background in Employee Relations within Human Resources, beginning my career in oil and gas, where I built HR departments by developing policies, procedures and fostering relationships with employees and managers. My experience spans oil and gas, manufacturing and construction--industries often slow to adopt new technologies, where HR struggles for a strategic seat at the table. In many cases, HR responsibilities fall to individuals without formal HR expertise, leading to outdated processes and inefficiencies. Many do not recognize the value of having a knowledgeable human resources professional within their organization. Throughout my career, I have focused on demonstrating the strategic value of HR, emphasizing that we serve as partners to both employees and managers. My goal has been to support them in navigating daily challenges, whether related to employee relations or operational inefficiencies like the absence of a payroll or time-tracking system. Implementing technology to replace manual, paper-based processes has been a key aspect of my efforts to enhance efficiency and streamline operations.Recognizing the need for modernization, I transitioned into HR technology and operations 14 years ago, specializing in HRIS implementations. I have led Workday implementations for large oil and gas companies and most recently, at Comfort Systems, a decentralized construction company with 50+ operating entities. Each entity operates independently, often using multiple, disconnected systems for HR, payroll, accounting and time tracking--resulting in manual processes, dual data entry and inefficiencies.At Comfort Systems, I was brought in to lead the selection and implementation of Workday as an enterprise solution. Rather than mandating change, we offer technology solutions at the corporate level and partner with operating companies to identify their challenges and optimize their HR processes. By consolidating systems, eliminating paperwork and automating workflows, we enable HR teams to shift their focus from administrative tasks to strategic employee and manager support.Transforming HR: A Unified Vision with WorkdayWe are currently in the process of implementing Workday across Comfort Systems. At this stage, 21 of our 50 operating Jody Joles is a highly experienced HR leader with deep expertise in Employee Relations, HR technology and HRIS. With a background spanning industries like oil and gas, construction and manufacturing, she excels in modernizing HR functions through strategic initiatives and innovative technology solutions. Joles is dedicated to streamlining processes, enhancing operational efficiency and driving transformative change that supports both organizational growth and employee success.Jody Joles
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