The Power of Employee Self Service Tools ⚡

[Fit Small Business | ]( HR Insights from Our Experts Sponsor By:                 Why Do You Need Employee Self Service Tools?   Employee self service tools allow your workers to handle some of the basic HR tasks on their own either via mobile apps, a web-based portal, or both. This means they don’t have to go through you or your HR team to file their paid time-off (PTO) applications, update personal information, or get answers to simple questions like where to access HR forms. They can do all these, and more, through an ESS portal. Fortunately, many popular HR and payroll software have employee self service features. If you haven’t taken advantage of this solution, below are a few reasons why your business should use it: - Digital transformation: Modernize HR and [employee management]( with solutions that can be accessed online. With an ESS, you can let go of paper forms and manual processes by using digital versions of HR documents and workflow automation to streamline day-to-day HR tasks. - Enhanced HR efficiency: ESS solutions help save time and money in addition to improving HR efficiency. It allows your HR team to work on strategic projects instead of fielding employee questions and manually going through paper files to process benefits and other HR admin tasks for most of the work day. - Improved staff satisfaction: An ESS provides workers the freedom to access benefits plans, update their personal information, view forms and documents, and more at their own pace. They don’t need to wait for another person to provide them with the basic HR information they need. This helps increase employee satisfaction. Did You Know? Many small businesses purchase HR systems to streamline essential employee management processes, such as personnel tracking, time and attendance, and payroll. 60% of [HR software buyers belong to companies with up to 100 employees](, according to a Capterra survey.         Building or overhauling your PTO policy? We have just the thing to help: a handy, advice-filled BambooHR PTO policy builder.         Functionalities of an Employee Self Service Portal   While HR and payroll software may have different ESS functionalities, this tool’s core function is to provide employees visibility and control over their information. There are many ways that you can use an ESS portal, such as for: - Online onboarding: New hires can use an ESS to complete onboarding requirements and upload documents. - Viewing important documents: These documents include payslips, employee tax documents, HR forms, company policies, and a [staff handbook](. - Updating information: Employees can directly update their personal data via the ESS, such as contact information and adding new legal dependents. They can also review and enroll in benefits plans. - Time and schedule tracking: Most [time and attendance software]( come with mobile apps or online portals where workers can view staff schedules, file PTO, request shift swaps or overtime, and clock in/out for work. Managers can even view and approve requests online. - Submitting expense claims: Some HR payroll software offer expense reporting tools, allowing you to use its mobile apps to upload snapshots of receipts and file reimbursement claims for pay processing. - Completing training programs: If you have a learning management system (LMS) or an HR software that integrates with one, you can offer on-demand training that workers can access through the ESS portal. - Running employee surveys: One way to measure [employee engagement]( is to run staff surveys every year. With an ESS, employees can easily access and submit surveys online. - Improving company communications: Some ESS solutions come with communication tools for sharing company updates and announcements, collaborating with teammates, and recognizing colleagues for work milestones (like celebrating a work anniversary).     What’s new in HR? Check out some of our latest HR content:   [8 Best Virtual Assistant Companies]( The administrative side of running a business can sometimes eat up all of your time at work. Having a dedicated virtual assistant (VA) who can remotely handle these day-to-day tasks allows you to focus more on growing your company. If you need a VA, check out our guide to the best virtual assistant services, which contains eight of our recommended providers. [READ MORE]( [Leadership vs Management: Understanding the Difference]( While both terminologies may be used interchangeably in guiding a team, they are not the same. Knowing the difference between leadership and management can help your workers thrive, which can lead to enhanced employee satisfaction and productivity. Our guide breaks down everything you need to know, including the traits of good leaders and managers. [READ MORE](         Meet Fit Small Business’ HR & Payroll Experts   [-Jennifer Hartman, HR Staff Writer & Human Resources Expert]( [-Jennifer Hartman, HR Staff Writer & Human Resources Expert]( [-Jennifer Hartman, HR Staff Writer & Human Resources Expert]( [Heather Landau]( [Jennifer Soper]( [Robie Ann Ferrer](   [-Jennifer Hartman, HR Staff Writer & Human Resources Expert]( Want to Join Our HR Community? Check us out on LinkedIn! [-Jennifer Hartman, HR Staff Writer & Human Resources Expert]( [Juvy Vallescas]( [Genevieve Que](     Watch out for next week’s HR newsletter as we tackle the different ways you can support better work-life balance for your employees. Until next time, Heather Landau, Jennifer Soper, Robie Ann Ferrer, Juvy Vallescas, and Genevieve Que   For more quality resources on growing your small business: [Marketing]( | [Financing]( | [Accounting]( | [HR]( | [Retail]( | [Ecommerce]( | [Sales]( [Facebook]( [Twitter]( [LinkedIn]( [Alternate text] Want to change what you receive in your inbox? [Update Your Preferences]( [Image]   We spend hours researching and writing our articles and strive to provide accurate, up-to-date content. However, our research is meant to aid your own, and we are not acting as licensed professionals. We recommend that you consult with your own lawyer, accountant, or other licensed professional for relevant business decisions. Our business model allows us to bring you the best answers to your questions, without editorial biases or cluttering the site with banner ads that everyone hates. The solutions we recommend to business owners often include products and services. 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