9 Processes All HR Departments Should Automate
In this article, we discuss how you can increase the efficiency of your HR department by making use of various tools to automate repetitive tasks. Know what these tools do and how you can leverage them in your organization.
Human Resources (HR) is the grease that allows a company to function smoothly, and although people are at its core, technology is HR's best friend in 2022. According to G2, there are 21 types of HR software available online that cover areas including payroll, time tracking, benefits, and employee wellness. Process automation has been happening for a few years now, and it has gained traction thanks to the global pandemic. Technology isn't here to replace human interaction - it's paving the way for more 1-1 contact from HR leaders. Throughout this article, we will tell you nine processes that all HR departments should have automated in 2022. Streamline Payroll
Payroll is a lengthy task that is relatively boring to complete manually. Fortunately, there is plenty of software that allows the process to be streamlined. For example, you can complete payroll tasks with this tool from Zenefits. All you need to do is input company-specific information, and payroll can be completed in a matter of clicks. As well as making life easier, payroll solutions can integrate with other HR software, including QuickBooks, to bring relevant information together. Automated Contract Signing
All the way through the employee journey with a company, there is a mountain of paperwork to be signed to stay compliant. Document signing is the most basic area of HR to automate, thanks to the likes of HelloSign, DocuSign, and Adobe Sign. With workforces spread out across the world, it's simple to set up a document and have it electronically signed and sent back. Gone are the days of needing to print out forms and scan signature pages. Performance Data Collection
Making new decisions requires collecting data, which can be a lengthy task without automation through technology. With apps like 15Five at your side, HR departments can access quality feedback in real-time. Through the app, managers can offer recognition and track objectives against KPIs. When it comes to employees, they have a safe place to unload any concerns they may have. The beauty of streamlining performance data collection means that everything will be in one place. As an HR department, this will allow you to easily spot common trends within employee feedback, which you can use to adjust policies and make everyone's life easier. Leave and Vacation Request Management
Many businesses still use printed-out forms or email requests to authorize vacation and leave requests. However, this is a lengthy process for everyone, and it's easy to lose streams of paperwork. Fortunately, there are several programs that will help HR departments to approve vacations in no time. Our go-to is absence.io, which is a one-stop-shop for all things employee tracking. There is a handy calendar that will show you which employees are off and when, and how many vacation hours they have remaining. If you need to, you can pre-set a threshold for vacation hours per week and send you automated rejection notices if this is reached. Timesheet Automation
Handing in timesheets and old methods of tracking employee clock-ins need to be the first area to be automated. There is no end to the number of tracking tools available that will save your hours chasing employees for data. You can utilize dedicated tracking tools or use included options through project management tools (Teamwork) or accounting software (Xero). Whichever route you take, you will save considerable time and money. However, you should ensure that your chosen solution can integrate with third-party HR apps. Automate Onboarding Processes
Onboarding is a lengthy process that technology can help to break down into manageable tasks. When new employers start, there will be specific documentation and training required for everyone. Now, thanks to communication solutions like Slack, businesses can automate basic training and document signing using a dedicated bot channel.
To get the most out of automating your onboarding processes, you need to start from the bottom and write down each step involved for each type of employee. Then, you can start matching up standardized tasks that you can automate through technology. Utilize Programmatic Recruitment
Instead of manually optimizing, placing, and buying job ads, you should adopt programmatic recruitment, which replaces humans with tech during the recruitment process. The programmatic framework allows HR departments to send out their adverts to the correct people easily. This is done by tech that works on big data, real-time bidding, and targeted job ads. To get started, you should check out Joveo, which offers a fantastic means of reaching matched candidates; you will save money and time through recruitment automation. App Access Management
Businesses use many apps, and some of them are only used by certain employees. Traditionally, setting up users and allocating passwords was a lengthy procedure, especially given the high frequency of password changes for business apps. Fortunately, password management apps offer a simple method of granting the proper app access to new employees. Our favorite password management software is LastPass, which breaks down different apps and allows you to send out virtual keys worldwide remotely. As a company, we recommend using the Pro version of the software. Streamline Offboarding
Your employees can now exit employment in the same way they entered - through automated processes. We need to remember that people are integral to HR, and offboarding needs to be personal. However, this doesn't mean that you can't use automation to collect information as people leave. For example, you can send out surveys and collect standard information through automation tools. Whether you've discussed the information during 1-1 meetings or not, you should collect data that you can quickly analyze for making changes.
Technological advancements, alongside societal changes, have paved the way for HR process automation. Although it's essential to keep people at the core of HR, there's no reason why technology can't help you along the way. When you need to collect standardized information or monitor performance, you can let a computer carry out all the heavy lifting - all you need to do is read the data and make changes. With automation on your side, you will have more time to focus on 1-1 meetings.
