Traditionally, HR departments had an air of mystique about them. Employees knew that HR professionals were responsible for “hiring and firing” workers, but seldom had any direct contact with HR staff.
However, 21st-century HR professionals appreciate the importance of maintaining a strong relationship with employees at every level of an organization. A collaborative approach creates a strong company culture and improves morale.
This represents a fundamental change in the corporate world. Fortunately, using HR software can facilitate this cultural shift. They allow you to create an efficient system by which you can monitor employee activity and get the best from your workers.
Public domain photo courtesy of Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/en/paper-business-document-composition-3224638/
Here are 8 reasons you should implement HR software:
- It saves time
Filing paperwork is both tedious and time-consuming. Traditionally, HR professionals had to spend hours every week compiling time sheets, organizing paper copies of reports and feedback forms, and completing attendance records. These days, most HR departments use digital records instead. For instance, they may record vacation days using a spreadsheet.
HR software is the next step; it not only allows you to create digital records, but also lets you create and store them within a single, easy-to-use piece of software. You will no longer have to hunt around for important pieces of paper or work with multiple pieces of software on your computer.
- It saves money
Because HR software reduces the amount of time staff spend maintaining and updating records, it also enables you to cut back on costs. Rather than employing one member of staff per 100 employees – the standard ratio in most industries – you will be able to reduce your workforce to one member of staff per 140 workers. Over time, this could mount up to significant savings.
- It helps employees stay engaged
Over half (51%) of the US workforce are disengaged from their work. This is a significant challenge that businesses need to overcome, as a lack of engagement results in lower productivity and reduces workplace cohesion. Ultimately, a more engaged workforce improves profits.
When you implement HR software, you are taking tangible steps to make your employees’ lives easier. This signals that you take their wellbeing and job satisfaction seriously. In turn, they will be more likely to repay you with loyalty and perceive you like a more caring employer.
You can also use HR software to create company documents that are accessible to employees who don’t speak English as a first language. For example, if you have offices around the world, you can effortlessly upload multiple versions of manuals and training materials. accurate translation is essential in the workplace. Otherwise, you risk confusing and alienating employees.
- It improves the odds you will retain your top talent
These days, workers – particularly Gen Z and Millennial employees – do not blindly take orders from HR professionals. They scrutinize their employer’s approach to delivering feedback and updates on the business as a whole and, if they are unimpressed, might look elsewhere for better opportunities. Given that Millennials have already become the dominant generation in US workplaces, it is a good idea to cater to their preferences.
Installing appropriate HR software that suits your business’ needs allows you to build a sound system for delivering the feedback that the new generation of workers want and expect. This improves employee satisfaction, which in turn helps you retain your top talent.
- It improves security
We live in an age of data leaks and cyberattacks. The general public are increasingly anxious when it comes to data security, and employers are under pressure to comply with a strict set of laws and guidelines governing the safe storage and retrieval of employee information.
HR software gives you peace of mind. It lets you control who can access employee information, and generates reports that tell you when and how it is processed. In short, it provides you with a paper trail that may later prove invaluable if you are accused of failing to comply with legislation
Public domain photo courtesy of Pixabay: https://pixabay.com/en/data-security-keyboard-computer-1590455/
- It gives you the information necessary for making appropriate, timely decisions
Sound decision-making underpins business strategy, and it can make all the difference between commercial success and failure. HR software enables you to generate key data within seconds. An example will indicate why this functionality is so useful.
Suppose you are considering reviewing your company structure. Specifically, you are considering reducing the number of mid-tier managers in order to cut costs. By analyzing productivity data for each employee, you can make sound decisions when it comes to redundancies.
- It makes recruitment straightforward
HR software makes it simple to keep your job descriptions, advertisements, employee manuals, and onboarding checklists at your fingertips. Companies that hire new people on a frequent basis will benefit from a package that enables you to send job advertisements to several forums and online job boards simultaneously. This expands your reach with little additional effort on your part.
- HR software makes it easy to record attendance, reviews, and performance metrics
Employee performance and productivity is easy to measure with HR software. You can measure number of deals completed, the number of days taken sick over a given time period, and numerous other performance indicators.
When you have objective data, along with a comprehensive record of monthly or annual employee reviews, deciding who to promote and train is more straightforward. You can be sure that you have selected the right people for the job.
Why you should consult your workers before implementing new software
HR software will make your life simpler, but you also need to consider your workers’ needs. Remember, people across every department will use it at some point, so choose a package with a straightforward interface that will appeal to those with and without technical backgrounds.
Never adopt a piece of software without a trial period first. Give your employees the opportunity to provide you with feedback, and take it on board. When you pick the right solution that fits with your company culture, you will soon see the benefits. It might be one of the smartest business decisions you ever make.
Kristin Savage nourishes, sparks and empowers using the magic of a word. Along with pursuing her degree in Creative Writing, Kristin was gaining experience in the publishing industry, with expertise in marketing strategy for publishers and authors. Now she had found herself as a freelance writer. She observes with a special interest how the latest achievements in media and technology help to grow readership and revenue and shares her opinion. You can find her on Facebook and Medium.
