The human resources (HR) department is among the essential functions a company should have. It is in charge of handling, processing, and storing the personal files of all employees. It’s also tasked with finding, evaluating, recruiting, and training future personnel, as well as implementing mandated and non-mandated benefit programs and payroll.

With many key responsibilities and functions, it’s important to equip the department with the latest software and technology available. In this age of technological revolution, it’s no longer enough to rely on the traditional methods of bookkeeping, such as using word processing programs, spreadsheets, and other manual processes of inputting.

As technology continues to evolve rapidly, so should the HR department. Nowadays, many companies implement advanced HR systems, particularly employee self-service, to help them work more efficiently and reduce unnecessary expenses.

Also, HR systems significantly improve services and minimize labor expenses by transferring routine transactions from the HR department to employees and future job candidates. For example, instead of calling HR to determine the number of your overtime shifts and attendance, you can process the requests yourself using a self-service HR system.

How Does Self-Service HR Software Work?

Self-service HR software allows employees and HR to interact and process documents automatically. For example, it streamlines the process of requesting and approving vacation leaves or sick leaves with just one touch of a button.

It helps each employee track their time and record in less than a minute. It also computes overtime shifts automatically based on the employee’s expected number of working hours. If the system detects that you’re working past your regular hours, the succeeding hours will immediately be recorded as overtime. This ensures that all overtime hours will be reported to the HR staff, and pay will be credited accurately.

Furthermore, self-service systems allow employees to edit and update their personal information without having to ask the HR department for help. With this, a lot of manual and repetitive tasks will no longer be required.

What Are The Benefits Of Implementing Self-Service HR Software?

The HR department usually spends a lot of time on both negotiations and operational tasks. Luckily, as time goes on, the applications and software that HR uses continue to develop. These tools significantly simplify data collection and promote employee self-service.

With that said, here are some benefits of self-service HR software you might want to consider.

• It Increases Efficiency

Most companies that implement advanced HR applications are able to achieve a significant increase in productivity and efficiency. With the help of HR software, the handling and processing of data can be done in minutes.

Since self-service HR software allows the employees to handle certain transactions themselves, the HR department will be able to focus on more important tasks instead of taking the time to respond to basic staff requests, such as updating data or filing leave forms.

Furthermore, self-service software helps companies retain talented staff while reducing the number of HR employees needed for more complicated and important projects.

• It Boosts Employee Experience

Companies tend to lose talented employees because of failed interactions and poor engagement. This is especially common for those in managerial and other high-ranking positions. However, it is true even for those who are working remotely or who are under work-from-home (WFH) status.

Using HR management applications can significantly increase employee engagement through the use of surveys that can help the company improve its services to its employees. Some apps even promote recognition and offer discounts and coupons to further boost employees’ experience of working in the company.

• It Improves Staff Retention

Companies may invest in HR software to address the issues and primary functions related to recruitment and performance assessment. These are all essential to make sure companies are getting the right people for the right job.

However, instead of primarily investing in recruitment and onboarding tools, you may want to focus more on convincing your employees to stay and on improving their performance. As mentioned above, you can implement goal-oriented processes to keep them engaged and empowered to continue working with you.

By improving staff retention, you can save a lot of time, money, and effort that would have been spent on addressing vacancies and recruitment.

• It Updates Records Effectively

As mentioned earlier, self-service HR software systems allow people to edit their personal information when necessary. Also, it helps reduce the number of mistakes that HR staff could make when updating and editing the records of employees.

Such tools may also help the HR department facilitate the submission and completion of necessary documents. Certain HR applications allow you the option of sending reminders to those who have incomplete information or documents.

• It Removes The Task Of Answering Repetitive Questions

‘How many leaves do I have left?’ ‘Can I file a leave tomorrow?’ ‘Is my vacation or holiday leave approved?’ ‘How much is my overtime pay?’

Are you familiar with these questions? If so, you (or your HR staff) might be tired of answering and checking these redundant queries one by one. But with self-service HR software, you don’t have to answer them yourself; you can let the applications do it for you.

With employee self-service portals, your staff can check their status and access the information they need without asking HR. This frees up the HR staff to focus on and devote more time to important tasks.

• It Helps Reduce Costs

With an automated HR system, there’s no need for you to rely entirely on using office supplies to facilitate office work. Though it seems like a minor benefit, this can help reduce your office expenditure, and you can use what money you save on more important projects.

Furthermore, it reduces not only your costs but your carbon footprint as well, as you transition certain processes from being paper-intensive to paperless.

Final Words

Considering the points above, you can see that self-service HR software is the future of human resources. These tools can help increase efficiency and productivity by allowing employees to handle certain transactions on their own rather than relying solely on the HR staff. Also, self-service software can help reduce costs in several ways, such as by allowing certain documents to be accomplished online and by reducing the need for many HR staff members. If your HR department seems to be having a hard time managing tasks or if they’re simply due for an upgrade, this might be the right time to consider implementing self-service HR software.

Anna Marvel is a Human Resources Specialist from Long Island, NY, who likes to share her 20 years of expertise by writing blogs and conducting webinars.