Employee: “I’d like to take some time off next week. How should I apply for it?”
HR department: “Please fill out this form, and I’ll get back to you within three working days!”
Three days? To approve a day off? We’ve all been there – when you ask for time off, it feels like navigating a maze. You know, the kind where the minotaur is outdated HR processes, and you wonder, “Is it worth it?”
Not only do these clunky systems waste time, but they also drain morale. According to a Deloitte study, 91% of employees say the stress of inefficient processes affects their performance. And it’s not just about frustration — burnout is real, folks. When day-to-day tasks feel like an Everest climb, employees start looking for the nearest exit.
Here’s the silver lining: modern problems meet modern solutions. Tools like custom forms and employee portals are the HR equivalent of cutting through bureaucracy with a lightsaber. They ensure smoother processes, create transparency, and give employees something priceless: peace of mind.
Contents
How Can HR Teams Avoid Getting Lost in Routine?
Let’s be honest: HR teams do much more than recruit. They manage resumes, manage employee requests, and figure out how to onboard new employees without losing their minds. It’s a wonder they don’t all have permanent stress wrinkles.
Here’s why things often descend into chaos:
Sorting incoming information
Resumes, emails, internal requests — it’s like a tsunami of data hitting the inbox every morning. Without automation, it’s easy to overlook the important stuff while getting lost in the noise.
Processing employee requests
Are vacation requests, schedule changes, and sick notes still being processed manually? In a smartphone world, using a flip phone is inefficient and error-prone.
Onboarding
Starting a new job should feel exciting, unlike being thrust into a survival reality show. Yet, G2 reports that 88% of companies have problems with onboarding, leaving new employees feeling lost and reducing productivity.
Knowledge management
Have you ever spent half a day looking for a specific policy document? When corporate information is scattered around like confetti, it’s a colossal time-waster.
Corporate jargon
Unclear procedures and overly complex hierarchies? That’s a recipe for confusion and disinterest among employees.
Custom Forms: A Flexible Tool for Every Task
Let’s talk about custom forms — your HR team’s new best friend. Think of them as the Swiss army knife of automation. Here’s how they can transform your workflows:
- Resume sorting: automatically route applications to the correct department. No more playing the “guess which recruiter handles this role.”
- Request processing: Vacation or sick leave requests are processed in seconds. No more e-mailing back and forth.
- Onboarding: streamline paperwork, training instructions, and document signing into a single, straightforward package.
- Feedback collection: Create simple forms for suggestions or employee satisfaction surveys.
These forms take the tedious work out of HR tasks, giving your team more time to focus on the big picture.
Employee Portals: Everything in One Place
Imagine your employees having a single portal where they can find everything they need with just a few clicks. There would be no more frantic email searches or Slack messages like, “Hey, do you know where the PTO policy is?”
An employee portal consolidates all work-related information and communications. It’s the holy grail of convenience and includes:
- Company structure: organizational charts and contact information — so you no longer have to guess who’s who.
- News and guidelines: Instant access to updates and step-by-step instructions.
- Knowledge base: Policies, manuals, FAQs — all in one place.
- Calendar and schedules: Track vacations, absences, and company events without needing a crystal ball.
This one-stop-shop approach boosts employee satisfaction and keeps your HR team from drowning in repetitive questions.
Actual Results: Saving Time and Improving Workflows
Companies that use custom forms and portals aren’t just jumping on a tech bandwagon — they’re reaping real benefits:
- Time savings: Automated tasks mean no more hours lost to manual processing.
- Improved employee satisfaction: Easier access to information = happier employees.
- Reduced errors: Automation minimizes those oops moments.
And now to the tools. Whether it’s a standalone HR software or something that integrates with CRM and project management systems, there’s a solution for everyone.
Take Planfix, for example. It’s not just HR software but a versatile platform that integrates HR processes, project management, and client work into one system. Think of it as the Swiss army knife we mentioned earlier but for your entire company.
The future of HR lies in Technology
Let’s face it — sticking with outdated workflows is like using a landline phone in 2024. The future of HR lies in the use of technology. Custom forms and employee portals aren’t just nice-to-haves — they’re game changers. They simplify your team’s work, keep employees happy, and help your company stay ahead of the competition.
