Small business workshop: understanding HR self-service

Stuck under a pile of HR admin? We can sympathize!

Don’t be afraid, if you want a solution, you are in the right place.

In this blog, I’ve discussed how HR self-service can empower workers and free up time for HR professionals, as well as highlighting some of the key points raised by our HR Director, Lizzy Barry, in a recent webinar.

So, if you’re curious about how self-service can free you up to focus on more strategic work, read on.

What is HR self-service?

HR self-service, also known as employee self-service (ESS), is a digital platform within HR software that empowers staff to manage HR-related tasks independently, such as:

• Updating personal details
• Access payroll and benefits information
• Record working hours
• Ask for time off
• Enroll in a training program
• Look at company policies

The goal of self-service is to increase operational efficiency, minimize data errors, and empower workers to handle routine tasks independently.

Lizzy explained, saying: “The real value-add for HR teams of all sizes is giving employees the opportunity to self-serve when there is something we want them to do or information they need to give us.

“Being able to give them a place to do that not only means the information is truly accurate because they’re the ones entering the information directly, but it also cuts down on the dreaded manual entry.”

How does HR self-service work?

Typically, self-service platforms are cloud-based and accessible via a mobile app or web browser, meaning staff can use them from any location via an internet-enabled device.

Whether employees are office-based, hybrid, or fully remote, through a self-service portal, they can log in and take care of routine tasks.

Use cases for HR self-service

Using the power of the cloud, mobile apps and web portals, employees can manage a variety of basic tasks themselves, without having to involve managers or HR, including:

1. Document management: self-service portal allows employees to access important HR and payroll documents, such as contracts, payslips, P60s, handbooks, etc.
2. Centralized notes: with self-service, you can collect all the information you need from your employees, such as emergency contacts, home addresses, and accessibility needs, etc., asking them to enter it through the portal.
3. Absence management: Your employees can check their leave balance and request leave from any device.
4. Learning and development (L&D): employees can enroll in training sessions and track completed courses, encouraging continuous growth while making it easier to manage personal development plans.

Lizzy shared a glimpse of her experience with self-service, saying: “One of those things A big help with self-service is that you can automate tasks that employees need to do regularly.

“Every year at IRIS, for example, we have an automated email sent to our employees, asking them to double check their details, such as addresses and bank details, are still correct.

“Instead of having to contact each employee individually and gather all the information to update it manually, a self-service system, combined with automated workflows, can do it for us.

“In HR, we often get stuck with manual work, but the system allows us to do it in a very easy way.”

What are the benefits of HR self-service?

For growing businesses with a high number of HR admins, it is important to equip employees and managers with effective tools.

By implementing an employee self-service portal, you can gain some great benefits, such as:

• Increase employee engagement and reduce staff turnover
• Save time by reducing HR admin
• Minimize risks and data inaccuracies
• Ensure HR compliance
• Promote employee welfare

SME business workshop: HR & payroll optimization

Hope the above is useful for you!

The full webinar covers a variety of other topics that may be of interest, including:

• HR challenges impact business
• Small business tools (integrated solutions approach)
• Creative solutions to attract talent on a limited budget
• Additional integrations & opportunities
• Performance management for lean teams
• Question and answer session

Webinar: Small business workshop – optimize HR & payroll

Watch here