Cloud-based automation is transforming HR departments and freeing up teams to do more valuable and strategic tasks – but the advantages don’t stop there.
It’s something of an understatement to say that Australia’s HR teams have endured a stressful few years. The chaos of COVID-19 was quickly followed by economic disruption, interest rate hikes, skills shortages and geopolitical uncertainty.
All of the above coincides with sweeping digitalisation, hybrid working, a growing focus on mental health and a heightened urgency to meet sustainability targets.
It’s no wonder that a 2022 survey from Workvivo found 98 per cent of HR professionals reported feeling burned out.
“For many, a huge part of the problem is the overwhelming workload caused by endless paperwork, manual processes and a lack of cohesion across the department,” says Danny Lessem, CEO leading Australian HRIS ELMO Software.
“Repetitive admin tasks waste valuable time, while constant fire-fighting means human error creeps in and stress levels go through the roof.”
A cloud-based solution
However, software that automates HR tasks is transforming the industry and freeing up employees to do more valuable and creative work. Cloud-based platforms that streamline protocols and take care of essential HR functions are revolutionising workflows and providing employers with a raft of benefits, such as:
- Software programs accessible on any device and upgraded whenever necessary
- One dashboard configured to a company’s needs
- Automated payroll functions
- Data-driven insights on recruitment and staff development
- ‘From hire to retire’ service for every stage of an employee’s journey
- A single source of truth that’s always up to date and integrated across the whole organisation
- Built in appraisal templates
- Solutions that are flexible and scalable.
“Business leaders are relying on HR directors more than ever to attract talent, implement retention strategies and nurture healthy workplace cultures,” says Lessem. “None of those can be done effectively if they’re bogged down in admin.”
Automating recruitment
Over 90 per cent of Australasian businesses are currently suffering skills shortages, according to research from Hays. Equally concerning is a finding from ELMO’s 2023 HR Industry Benchmark Report, conducted in partnership with the Australian HR Institute, that 13 per cent of new hires quit during their probation period, double the pre-pandemic rate.
“Many smaller businesses simply don’t have the resources required to identify and – more importantly – attract the best people,” says Lessem. “Recruiting for a single position can be a protracted and time-consuming process.”
And, after all that effort, the candidate may walk out after a few weeks if there’s been a mismatch between their expectations and the reality of the role and culture of the company.
“Recruitment software is a godsend to overworked HR teams struggling in difficult market conditions. It really can be transformational.”
Its capabilities include:
- Automating all recruitment workflows
- Built-in tools to process applications and communicate with the job hunters
- Personalised job descriptions and performance targets to a company template
- Delivering exceptional candidate experiences
- Ensuring new employees have all the tools they need at every stage, including after they have started work
- Intuitive, growth-focused review cycles.
A culture of learning
One of the most effective ways to boost productivity is by implementing comprehensive employee training and development programs.
Surveys show that 40 per cent of employees will leave a job within 12 months if they feel their training is inadequate. Among millennials, nearly 9 in 10 say a strong career development plan is essential for them to stay in a job.
“A robust training program is a key success metric,” says Lessem. “But it can’t be a ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution, as everyone is different. Trying to stay on top of every employee manually is virtually impossible.”
Automated learning strategies don’t only monitor upskilling needs and the progression of individuals. They also identify corporate knowledge gaps, keep track of compliance requirements and empower departments to curate the right training for their changing needs.
“Managers can have complete visibility over how their teams are performing against development KPIs and see where additional courses or training modules may be necessary. A healthy culture of learning and improvement can blossom very quickly,” says Lessem.
A game-changing solution
Software platforms that replace dreary admin time with productive, morale-boosting people time are the biggest HR game-changer in decades.
“After three years battling at the front line to support the mental health of employees, HR professionals can take steps to protect their own wellbeing and fulfil their potential as key drivers of business success,” says Lessem.
Book a demo today with ELMO Software’s award-winning, cloud-based packages that have helped thousands of Australian and New Zealand organisations transform their HR operations.