Human Resources (HR) has evolved from a traditional administrative function to a strategic partner in organisational success. Yet, many HR departments still struggle with time-consuming tasks that limit their ability to focus on more impactful and strategic activities.
With the rise of more advanced HR software and platforms, businesses now have the tools to optimise their core HR functions. But to truly maximise efficiency and make the most of your employees' time, talent, and energy, it's essential to integrate these tools with robust workforce management (WFM) software. Platforms like HR Duo offer this powerful combination, driving productivity and creating efficiency gains across your entire workforce.
We reached out to our network of clients and partners to identify the core HR functions most in need of modernisation. Through their feedback, we identified six key areas where challenges frequently arise:
1. Employee Onboarding and Offboarding
Why It Matters: The onboarding process is crucial for setting the tone of a new hire’s experience, while offboarding is essential for maintaining a positive employer brand and mitigating risks. According to onboarding experience statistics, around 20% of employee turnover happens within the first 45 days of employment, indicating a significant need for improved onboarding processes.
How to Optimise: An effective HR platform streamlines onboarding by automating document submissions, training schedules, and introductory tasks. HR Duo’s platform ensures a smooth onboarding experience by centralising all necessary information and processes, reducing administrative burden and improving the new employee experience. Similarly, the offboarding process can be made seamless with automated exit interviews, equipment retrieval tracking, and knowledge transfer, ensuring no detail is overlooked.
2. Time and Attendance Management
Why It Matters: Accurate time and attendance tracking is essential for payroll accuracy, compliance, and workforce productivity. However, manual tracking is prone to errors and can lead to costly mistakes. In the UK, payroll errors cost businesses an average of £15,000 annually due to inaccurate time tracking.
How to Optimise: Workforce Management software, integrated with your HR platform, can automate time tracking, ensure compliance with employment laws, and reduce errors. HR Duo’s Time and Attendance Management feature consolidates time tracking, absence reporting, and scheduling into a single, easy-to-use platform. This not only simplifies the process but also ensures that payroll is accurate and on time, enhancing employee satisfaction and trust.
3. Employee Performance Management
Why It Matters: Performance management is vital for employee development, engagement, and retention. However, traditional performance reviews are often seen as ineffective, with 58% of companies reporting that performance management systems are not an effective use of time, and 95% of UK employees stating that they would like to see improvements in performance management systems (Deloitte).
How to Optimise: Most HR platforms offer continuous performance management tools that go beyond the annual review. HR Duo's Performance Management features, including 360 reviews, 1-to-1s, and performance improvement plans, allow for ongoing feedback and goal tracking. This approach not only aligns employee goals with business objectives but also helps businesses to create a culture of continuous improvement and engagement.
4. Compliance and Risk Management
Why It Matters: Compliance is a non-negotiable aspect of HR that can have significant legal and financial implications if not managed correctly. In the UK, businesses face fines of up to £20,000 per non-compliant employee, making it crucial to stay on top of ever-changing regulations.
How to Optimise: While many HR platforms attempt to automate compliance tracking, covering basics like employment contracts and legal updates, HR Duo takes it a step further. We offer a comprehensive library of up-to-date HR policies and templates that ensure your processes stay fully compliant with the latest legislation. Beyond that, our platform provides automated alerts and reminders to help your HR team stay ahead of compliance deadlines, significantly reducing the risk of costly fines and legal complications.
5. Talent Acquisition and Recruitment
Why It Matters: Attracting and retaining top talent is essential for sustaining business growth and innovation. Inefficient recruitment processes can lead to prolonged vacancies, increased costs, and missed opportunities. Businesses that streamline their recruitment processes can reduce time-to-hire by up to 30%, leading to significant cost savings and faster integration of new hires.
How to Optimise: A comprehensive HR platform like HR Duo can automate and streamline the entire recruitment process, from job posting to candidate selection. HR Duo’s Applicant Tracking System (ATS) enables you to manage job applications, screen candidates, and coordinate interviews all in one place. By integrating recruitment with your HR and Workforce Management (WFM) systems, you can ensure a seamless transition from candidate to employee, improving the overall hiring experience and reducing time-to-hire.
6. Employee Engagement and Communication
Why It Matters: Employee engagement directly impacts productivity, retention, and overall company culture. Did you know that research is already starting to suggest that 90% of the UK workforce are disengaged, with poor communication and ineffective processes cited as a leading cause.
How to Optimise: An integrated HR and Workforce Management (WFM) platform can significantly enhance employee engagement by improving communication, offering self-service options, and enabling flexible working arrangements. HR Duo’s mobile app and self-service portal empower employees to manage their schedules, request time off, and access important information at their convenience. Real-time messaging features also ensure that teams stay connected, regardless of location, fostering a more collaborative and engaged workforce.
Optimising these core HR functions is essential for any business aiming to stay competitive in today’s market. By adopting a powerful HR platform combined with the latest Workforce Management software, you can automate routine tasks, enhance compliance, and create a more engaging employee experience.
Investing in the right technology not only saves time and reduces costs but also empowers your HR and Operations teams to focus on what truly matters—developing and retaining a talented, productive workforce.
