6 quick wins to streamline your HR processes today in summary:
In this article, we take a look at 6 quick wins HR teams can introduce to improve their processes, including:
- HR teams are under increasing pressure, but the right use of HR software can streamline many of HRs more time-consuming and monotonous tasks.
- With the right HR tech, you can streamline processes and leave more time for value-adding activities.
- Quick wins to streamline your HR process include automating routine tasks, centralising employee data, standardised onboarding, create templates for common documents, provide self-service tools for employees and make better use of data.
Every job in HR has tedious (even sometimes boring) tasks that are both time-consuming and monotonous to complete… but they must be done!
Tracking and managing leave requests, manually entering data, sending repetitive onboarding emails… ugh… I’m yawning just thinking about them! If you’ve ever thought “There must be a better way to do this!?” while completing these sorts of tasks, you’re not alone. Every HR professional will face jobs that feel like they eat away at valuable time.
For example, HR Executive found that HR employees currently spend 20% of their time on repetitive and redundant tasks (75th percentile) – that’s the same as an eight-hour workday in a full-time week. That’s a lot of time that could have been spent on something else much more rewarding!
So, how can people professionals improve their HR processes, and spend less time on those monotonous, repetitive – yet vital – tasks? Well, taking a look at your current HR processes are a good place to start.
Ask yourself: are there any unnecessary steps that stop a streamlined approach? What can be done to support workloads? What needs to change?
While those tasks can’t be ignored, embracing automation technology can eliminate the burden of repetitive tasks. In fact, with the right HR tech, people professionals can streamline processes and leave more time for value-adding activities…
Here are six quick wins to help you streamline your HR processes:
Automating routine tasks
It’s no secret how much pressure HR is under. HRnews suggests that 51% of HR leaders are receiving more requests for support than ever before, highlighting the demands and pressures people’s professional teams are under.
By automating typical routine HR tasks, hours of manual work can be reduced while minimising the chances of errors and mistakes. Modern HRIS platforms, for instance, often feature powerful automation tools that people professionals can use to work smarter, and not just harder!
Absence approvals, calculating holiday entitlements, chasing up performance reviews, and updating employee documentation are just some of the tasks that can be automated – meaning you’re free to focus on value-adding activities instead.
Finding the right system that fits your team will not only make HR processes more streamlined, but the right system will make everyone’s work more enjoyable. Something that a HR team will definitely thank you for!
Centralising employee data
It’s been said a thousand times before, but it’s time to say goodbye to spreadsheets! Moving to a cloud-based HR system that consolidates all the information people and payroll professionals need in one place is the way forward.
If HR and payroll data is spread across different systems or spreadsheets across the business, effective reporting is never going to be easy. However, bring all that information together in a single HR system that’s designed to help you slice and dice HR data, and managing your employee data becomes a heck of a lot easier.
With everything centralised in one online place, you’ll save precious time and reduce frustration. So, no more hunting through random files or drawers for the information you need!
Standardised onboarding
First impressions matter. Onboarding is an organisations first chance to wow new employees, and a consistent process ensures everyone gets the same warm welcome, no matter where they join.
Of course, it can be a bit stressful with onboarding multiple new starters! Thankfully, using an automated checklist can make the onboarding process much more streamlined and efficient for both you and your new joiners. Much more efficient than paper-based processes!
Create templates for common documents
Something which will save you hours of their time is creating templates for common documents. Spending a little time at the start creating ready-to-go templates for offer letters, performance reviews and policies in the long run will save your HR team a load of time and of course, drive efficiency!
To take it a step further and really simplify the process using an HR system that automatically generates, sends and stores personalised documents and emails. This integration can drastically reduce the time you’ll have to spend on a common repetitive administrative task.
Provide self–service tools for employees
Let’s be honest: answering the same “how much holiday do I have left?” 50 times a week is not the best use of your time. Thankfully, you can say goodbye to those sorts of queries thanks to employee self-service tools.
An HRIS that includes employee self-service provides users with easy access to the information they need. And the best part? You’ll be able to reduce the number of mundane queries coming your team’s way. This is because with self-service, you’re empowering your people to control their own data, update personal information, manage leave requests, and access important documents anytime they need.
This not only saves your HR team valuable time, but also boosts employee satisfaction by giving them more autonomy and transparency in managing their own HR tasks. It’s a real game-changer for over-loaded HR teams!
Make better use of your data and reporting
Lastly, data is a powerful tool that every department can leverage to make smarter, more strategic decisions. In HR, effectively using available data and reports enables you to make informed choices and implement changes that drive future growth and improvement. The real question is: do you have the tools and insights needed to make this happen?
Great HR software solutions deliver detailed reports and makes it easy to spot trends in areas like absenteeism, holidays, and turnover. A successful HR strategy relies on balancing data-driven insights with real-world context. With instant access to both statistical data and qualitative feedback, you can make more informed, well-rounded decisions that truly support your workforce.
Megan Peters
Megan is part of Cezanne’s campaign team working closely with the HR community and payroll community. Based in the South West of England, Megan previously worked in the EdTech sector before deciding that the HR space is where the real action is!
