It might be time to consider automating some of your day-to-day people management tasks with an HRIS.
As a small business owner, managing HR-related tasks can be challenging and time-consuming. Spreadsheets for this, paper files for that - a bit of a hodge-podge of methods used to store your employee data (think resume, payroll, time off tracking, performance reviews, and so on).
You'll be glad to hear that there is a solution exactly made for that purpose: HRIS systems. HRIS stands for Human Resource Information System, and it's software designed to help manage and automate various HR-related tasks. What tasks, you ask? Well, a lot, actually! Hiring and onboarding workflows and paperwork, time and attendance / vacation tracking, payroll and benefits, and more. Best of all, it allows employees to check information on their own, so you no longer need to find out how many paid days Joe has for leave remaining this year - Joe can check it himself. Many systems also have modules for automating hiring (posting jobs and managing candidate flows) and performance management.
An HRIS system is ideal for small business owners who may not have a dedicated HR person, but have more than 10 staff (you can always get an HRIS for just a couple of people, but the amount of time and cost savings likely isn't there; and besides, smaller teams are easier to manage data-wise). An HRIS will help business owners streamline HR-related tasks, reduce errors, keep better data, and save time - and time is money.
How Can Small Business Owners Benefit from an HRIS System?
You likely never started your business thinking you'd need to be an HR pro as well, did you? Most business owners, when they first start, don't have time to focus on systems to support their people practices. But in the same way you might need a CRM to build your sales pipeline, you will eventually need an HRIS to keep track of all your hiring (and paying, and managing) data.
Here's where it can help:
Save Time: HRIS systems automate many HR-related tasks, which can save small business owners a significant amount of time. Instead of spending hours manually inputting employee data or calculating payroll, small business owners can use an HRIS system to handle these tasks automatically.
Increase Efficiency: HRIS systems can help small business owners increase their efficiency by automating tasks such as onboarding, time and attendance tracking, and benefits administration.
Reduce Errors: Manual HR-related tasks can lead to errors, which can be costly and time-consuming to correct. HRIS systems help reduce errors by automating tasks and ensuring that data is accurate and up-to-date.
Improve Compliance: HRIS systems can help small business owners ensure that they are complying with various laws and regulations related to HR, such as the Employment Standards and other employment-related regulations.
Choosing the Right HRIS System for Your Small Business
When it comes to choosing the right HRIS for your company, there are several factors to consider. Not all HRIS are alike, and can range from very basic to very complex, and costs can obviously vary. Some offer a base with modules you can add, depending on what your needs are, so you don't have to pay for something you wouldn't use.
Full disclosure, we rep for BambooHR and for FolksHR, the latter being strictly for Canadian clients and can be set up in French. If you check out their home pages, you can see what they offer in terms of services and pricing.
Here are some things to consider:
Your Pain Points: All HRIS systems are electronic files for your team, so the challenges around finding timely and accurate information will be readily solved. But what else? What part of the people-paperwork cycle is driving you batty?
Hiring regularly? Having a basic ATS (Applicant Tracking System) as part of the HRIS system could come in handy. They post to free job boards and keep your candidates all in one spot.
Are you constantly being asked questions from your team about vacation balances, benefits coverage, etc? A self-serve option is a must!
Onboarding a nightmare? Check to see if the HRIS system you're evaluating has the ability to send offer letters for electronic signature, has onboarding checklists, and more to help you provide a thorough and complete onboarding experience.
Do you need payroll? If you're already outsourcing payroll to Gusto or similar, then you won't need it in an HRIS.
Scalability: Choose an HRIS system that can grow with your business as it expands.
ROI: Consider the costs associated not only with the subscription for the service, but also the implementation costs.
It's easy to see why an HRIS system can be a game-changer for small business owners looking to streamline their HR-related tasks. By automating paperwork and checklists, you not only gain a lot of efficiencies but you also mitigate the risk of manual errors. Save your precious time for customers/clients - building up your brand and clientele, and let automation save the day on your basic HR tasks.
Not sure where to start? Give us a call and we can help you source and implement a perfect HRIS for you and your company! SnapHR is a branch of Tulloch Consulting and meetings are with Tulloch Consulting.