As an HR professional, you are constantly juggling multiple responsibilities, from hiring and onboarding new employees to managing employee benefits and time tracking. With so many tasks on your plate, it can be challenging to keep track of everything, and manual processes can be time-consuming and prone to errors. That's where automated software comes in. In this blog post, we'll explore why time tracking, HR/people operations, applicant tracking systems (ATS), and benefits automation are essential for HR professionals.
Time Tracking Automation
Tracking employee hours manually can be a time-consuming process, and it's often prone to errors. For instance, employees may forget to clock in or out, or their timesheets may be lost or misplaced. According to a study by the American Payroll Association, manual timekeeping can cost companies up to 7% of their gross annual payroll. This is where time tracking automation comes in.
Automated time tracking software eliminates the need for manual time tracking. With this software, employees can clock in and out using an app on their mobile device or a web-based portal. This software also tracks breaks, overtime, and vacation time, making it easy to calculate accurate payroll.
In addition, time tracking software can integrate with other HR software, such as payroll and benefits administration, further streamlining HR operations. With automated time tracking software, HR professionals can focus on more strategic initiatives rather than spending time on manual data entry and processing.
HR/People Operations Automation
HR/People operations automation software streamlines HR processes such as onboarding, performance management, and offboarding. This software can automate tasks such as sending welcome emails, tracking progress, and sending reminders. HR professionals can customize workflows to meet their specific needs and improve the employee experience by reducing the time it takes to complete routine tasks.
Furthermore, HR/People operations automation software can improve compliance by ensuring that all HR processes are standardized, reducing the risk of errors and potential legal issues. This software can also help to ensure that employees receive consistent communication and support throughout their employment lifecycle, improving retention rates.
Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS)
Applicant tracking systems (ATS) automate the recruitment process by tracking job postings, resumes, and candidate communication. ATS software can help to streamline recruitment workflows by automating tasks such as posting job openings on multiple job boards and social media sites, tracking candidate applications, and sending automatic notifications to candidates.
In addition, ATS software can help to identify top candidates quickly by using keyword searches and ranking algorithms. This software can also integrate with other HR software, such as HR/People operations automation and onboarding software, to create a seamless recruitment process.
Benefits Automation
Benefits administration can be a complex process, with multiple plans, eligibility criteria, and enrollment deadlines to keep track of. Benefits automation software can help to simplify this process by automating tasks such as open enrollment, plan selection, and eligibility verification.
Benefits automation software can also provide employees with self-service portals, enabling them to manage their benefits, enroll in plans, and view their coverage. This software can also integrate with payroll software, ensuring that employee benefits deductions are accurate and consistent.
According to a report by SHRM, companies that use benefits automation software report increased employee engagement and satisfaction, reduced administrative costs, and improved compliance with regulations.
Conclusion
Automated software has revolutionized HR by highlighting some of the additional benefits and considerations for HR professionals.
In addition to the benefits mentioned above, automated software can also provide HR professionals with valuable data insights. For example, time tracking software can provide data on employee productivity, which can help HR professionals identify areas for improvement and optimize staffing levels. HR/People operations automation software can provide data on employee engagement, turnover rates, and training needs, which can help HR professionals identify potential issues and take proactive steps to address them.
Another important consideration for HR professionals when implementing automated software is security. HR data contains sensitive personal information, and it's essential to ensure that this data is protected from unauthorized access. HR professionals should choose software that meets industry security standards and implements strong encryption and access controls.
Finally, HR professionals should ensure that they have adequate training and support when implementing new automated software. While these tools can streamline HR operations, they can also be complex to set up and use. Adequate training and support can help to ensure that HR professionals can use these tools effectively and get the most out of them.
In conclusion, automated software has revolutionized HR operations by streamlining processes, improving accuracy, and providing valuable data insights. HR professionals should consider implementing automated software for time tracking, HR/People operations, applicant tracking systems, and benefits administration, while also ensuring that they prioritize security and provide adequate training and support. By doing so, HR professionals can focus on more strategic initiatives and improve the overall employee experience.