The growing trend of remote work has been accompanied by a corresponding increase in the development of HR tools designed to support this way of working.
Understanding which successful remote teams use HR tools can give you a competitive edge in attracting and retaining the best talent.
What Is Remote Work?
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Remote work happens when an employee fulfills their duties from outside a traditional office. They can work from home, in a coworking space, or in the nearest coffee shop.
In the 1970s, IBM gathered a small remote team to work from home to test the efficiency of this method. At the beginning of the 1980s, the number of remote employees at IBM had grown to 2000. And with Covid-19 this digital transformation has only continued and will continue to expand.
The Impact Of HR Tools In A Remote Work Environment
Digital HR tools can significantly improve the efficiency of remote work. With new developments in artificial intelligence and machine learning, HR tools are becoming more sophisticated and adapting to new HR trends that are of large importance like employee remuneration for example, in a remote work environment is essential.
Remote work tools can help automate and streamline HR processes, freeing up time for HR professionals to focus on more strategic tasks.
Here are five main benefits that HR tools can bring to a remote work environment:
1. Ensured Business Continuity
Having the correct tools in place in a remote work environment is vital to ensure business continuity.
Optimal performance levels can only be maintained if employees access the resources they need to do their job.
By using online collaboration tools and secure file-sharing platforms, businesses can ensure that employees can stay connected and productive, even when working remotely.
2. Helps The Hiring Process
With an ever-growing pool of remote talent to choose from, it can be challenging to identify the best candidates for a role.
This is where Human Resources tools can help. Using applicant tracking systems (ATS) allows businesses to automate and streamline their hiring process, making it easier to identify top talent.
In addition, online assessments and training services can help to ensure that only the most qualified candidates are hired.
3. Managed Employee Engagement And Wellbeing
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When employees are spread out across different time zones, it can be difficult to maintain a high level of engagement.
Communication and online collaboration can help keep employees connected, even when working remotely.
In addition, HR tools can also be used to monitor employee engagement and wellbeing. By tracking employee productivity levels and providing actionable insights, businesses can identify and address any issues that may arise.
4. Improved Productivity And Collaboration
It is essential to have the right communication tools in place in a remote work environment to enable employees to collaborate effectively.
Online collaboration tools can help to improve communication and collaboration between employees, even when they are working remotely.
In addition, project management tools can help keep everyone on track and ensure that deadlines are met.
Cultivating a healthy company culture is also easier with the right HR tools in place.
By using employee engagement and communication platforms, businesses can create a strong company culture that will help to attract and retain top talent.
5. Flexibility
One of the most significant benefits of workplace technology is its flexibility.
With the right HR tools in place, businesses can offer their employees a more flexible working arrangement. This includes working remotely, having access to flexible hours, and working from different locations.
Businesses can attract and retain top-qualified talent by providing a more flexible working arrangement.
8 HR Tools That Are Shaping the Future for Remote Work
Let us look at eight of the most popular HR tools that are shaping the future of remote work:
1. Breezy HR
Image Source: Breezy HR
A top-rated applicant tracking system (ATS), Breezy HR is used by businesses of all sizes to streamline their hiring process.
Breezy HR makes it easier for businesses to identify and hire top talent by automating job postings, candidate screening, and interview scheduling.
Breezy HR offers four pricing packages:
- Bootstrap: A free plan for one position or pool, offering all the basic features.
- Startup: At USD 143 per month, this plan offers enhanced hiring tools to help kick off your recruiting process.
- Growth: At USD 249 per month, this plan offers advanced features for larger businesses with more complex hiring needs.
- Business: This plan offers the ultimate control over the hiring process along with unmatched flexibility. The price starts at USD 399 per month.
Pros
- Full feature 14-day trial
- World-class customer support
- Hire from anywhere via mobile app
- 800+ HR and recruiting templates
- ISO/ IEC certified
- Easy to integrate according to HR needs
Cons
- It can be expensive for small businesses
- The free plan is very limited
2. Kissflow HR Cloud
Image Source: Kissflow HR Cloud
Kissflow HR Cloud is a cloud-based HR management system that helps businesses automate and streamline their HR processes.
The system includes modules for employee onboarding, performance management, leave management, and expense management.
It offers six platforms:
Workflow
A workflow management tool that helps businesses automate their processes. With four pricing plans starting at USD 10 per month, this tool is affordable for businesses of all sizes.
Digital Workplace
A unified communication and collaboration platform that helps businesses improve communication and collaboration between employees. It has two price plans: Basic and Advanced.
Low Code
A low-code development platform that helps businesses develop custom applications without the need for coding. Pricing begins at USD 3000 per month.
Project
A project management tool that helps businesses manage and track their projects. It has two pricing plans, Basic and Advanced, and a free trial is available.
Procurement Cloud
A procurement management tool that helps businesses streamline their procurement process. It is priced at USD 1990 per month, with a free trial available.
Community Platform
A community management tool that helps businesses build and manage online communities. It has three pricing plans, Basic at USD 500, Professional at USD 2000, and a Custom plan.
Pros
- Flexible pricing plans
- Free trial available for some products
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Some products are costly
- Not all products offer a free trial
3. flair
Image Source: Flair
An HR software that helps businesses manage their employee database, flair offers a range of features, including performance management, leave management, and expense management.
Pricing starts at EUR 3 per employee, per month, with a free trial available.
Pros
- Free trial available
- Affordable pricing
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Limited features
- Only available in Europe
4. BambooHR
Image Source: BambooHR
BambooHR is a cloud-based HR management system that helps businesses automate and streamline their HR processes.
The system includes modules for employee onboarding, performance management, leave management, and expense management. BambooHR offers custom pricing plans, and a free trial is available.
Pros
- Free trial available
- Custom pricing plans
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Limited features
- Only available in the US and Canada
5. Rippling
Image Source: Rippling
Rippling is a cloud-based HR management system that helps businesses automate and streamline their HR processes.
The system includes modules for employee onboarding, performance management, leave management, and expense management. Rippling is a comprehensive solution for businesses with features such as a unified workforce directory and payroll.
Pricing starts at USD 8 a month per employee, with a free 14-day trial available.
Pros
- Free 14-day trial available
- Affordable pricing
- Comprehensive solution
Cons
- Limited features
- Only available in the US
6. Pipefy
Image Source: Pipefy
Pipefy is a cloud-based HR management system that helps businesses automate and streamline their HR processes.
The system includes modules for employee onboarding, performance management, leave management, and expense management.
Pipefy offers four plans, with prices ranging from USD 18 to a custom enterprise plan. A free trial is available.
Pros
- Free trial available
- Affordable pricing plans
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Limited features
7. Work Tango
Image Source: Work Tango
Online collaboration tool, performance management, and time tracking software Work Tango helps businesses manage their remote teams.
The system includes modules for employee onboarding, performance management, leave management, and expense management.
Pricing starts at USD 0.25 per employee, per month, with a free 14-day trial available.
Pros
- Free 14-day trial available
- Affordable pricing
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Limited features
- Only available in the US and Canada
8. Wrike
Image Source: Wrike
Wrike is a project management software that helps businesses manage and track their projects.
With features such as task management, Gantt charts, and real-time updates, Wrike is a comprehensive solution for businesses.
Pricing starts at USD 9.80 per month for the Professional plan, up to USD 24.80 for the Business plan, with a free 14-day trial available.
Pros
- Free 14-day trial available
- Affordable pricing plans
- User-friendly interface
Cons
- Limited features
- Only available in the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
What Upcoming Trends Can We Expect With HR Tools?
Some of the upcoming trends that we can expect with HR tools include:
Insights And Analytics
With the help of data analytics, HR tools will be able to provide businesses with insights for organizations to improve their hiring processes. Data analytics will also help companies to identify trends and issues within their organization.
Automation
We can expect to see more automation within HR tools in the future. Automation will help businesses save time and improve efficiency.
Mobile tools will become more popular as businesses look for ways to help their employees stay connected and productive while on the go. The remote work culture is also expected to grow, which will drive the need for mobile HR tools.
Social Media
Social media integration will become more common in HR tools. This will help businesses connect with potential candidates and market their employer brand. Social media can also be used for performance reviews and feedback.
Cloud-based Solutions
Cloud-based HR tools will continue to grow in popularity as they offer businesses a cost-effective and scalable solution.
With digital transformation, businesses are looking for ways to streamline their processes and improve efficiency. Cloud-based HR tools can help businesses do this by automating various HR processes.
Gig Economy
The gig economy is expected to grow in the next few years. This will impact the way businesses recruit and manage their employees. HR tools will need to adapt to this trend by offering flexible and on-demand solutions.
Cyber Security
As data breaches are becoming more common, businesses will need to focus on cyber security. HR tools will need to offer features such as data encryption and user authentication to help protect businesses from cyber-attacks.
Reskilling And Upskilling
Businesses will need to focus on reskilling and upskilling their employees with the ever-changing workforce. HR tools can help businesses identify the skills that their employees need and provide training resources.
With HR tools integrating training services and resources, businesses can provide their employees with the ability to upskill and reskill at their own pace.
Power Skills
The future of work will require employees to have power skills such as critical thinking, problem-solving, and creativity. HR tools can help businesses identify their employees' power skills and provide training resources.
By providing employees with the ability to develop their power skills, businesses can set themselves up for success in the future.
Hybrid Work Model
The hybrid work model is a mix of remote and on-site work. This trend is expected to grow in the next few years as businesses look for ways to provide employees with more flexibility.
HR tools will need to offer features such as time tracking, task management, and project management to help businesses manage their hybrid workforce.
Employee Wellbeing
Employee wellbeing is expected to become a top priority for businesses. HR tools can help businesses promote employee wellbeing by offering features such as fitness tracking, mental health resources, and stress management tips.
By focusing on employee wellbeing, businesses can create a positive work environment with higher productivity and engagement.
Diversity And Inclusion
Diversity and inclusion will continue to be a top priority for businesses. HR tools can help businesses promote diversity and inclusion by offering features such as job postings, employee directories, and training resources.
By promoting diversity and inclusion, businesses can create a more inclusive workplace that leads to higher engagement and productivity.
Keeping The Human Touch Alive
Although HR tools are expected to grow in popularity, businesses will still need to keep the human touch alive. This means that businesses will need to focus on building relationships with their employees.
HR tools can help businesses build relationships with their employees by offering features such as employee directories, performance reviews, and feedback.
Businesses can create a more personal and engaging work environment by keeping the human touch alive.
Conclusion
HR tools are expected to play a significant role in the future of work. With the ever-changing workforce, businesses will need to adapt and use HR tools to their advantage.
HR trends such as the gig economy, cyber security, and employee wellbeing are expected to shape the future of work. Read more about this last topic, employee wellbeing, which is so important.
