As an HR manager, you know the drill all too well. You’ve meticulously crafted job descriptions, sifted through countless resumes, and sat through interviews trying to find the ideal candidate. Finally, you’ve found the perfect fit for your team, and you breathe a sigh of relief. Yet, your job is far from over.
Once those new employees walk through the door, a whole new set of challenges awaits. From onboarding to scheduling and performance management, the responsibilities pile up faster than you can say “Welcome aboard.” Keeping track of it all can feel like spinning plates, especially as your team grows and evolves.
And let’s face it, managing all of this manually can be a headache. Spreadsheets quickly become unwieldy, emails get lost in the shuffle, and important details slip through the cracks. That’s where employee management software comes in.
In this blog post, we’ll explain what employee management software is, how to pick the right one, and introduce you to 15 employee management software that can help you manage your team more effectively. Let’s dive in!
What is an Employee Management Software?
Employee management software, also known as Human Resource Management Software (HRMS), is designed to streamline and automate various aspects of employee management within an organization.
With this software, HR professionals can easily manage everything from recruiting new hires to tracking their attendance, evaluating performance, and handling payroll and benefits. It acts as a central hub for all HR functions, making it easier to keep track of important information and tasks.
These software are incredibly efficient and accurate, reducing the need for manual data entry and paperwork. They provide tools for time tracking, task management, and employee scheduling, helping organizations manage their workforce more effectively.
Employee management apps are especially handy because they allow you to access all this information and functionality from anywhere, anytime. No more digging through piles of paperwork or juggling multiple spreadsheets – everything you need is neatly stored and accessible through the app.
How to Choose an Employee Management Software?
With numerous options available, selecting the right software can seem overwhelming. Here’s a straightforward guide to help you make the best choice for your organization’s needs.
Identify Your Needs: Begin by identifying the specific challenges you want to address with employee management software. Consider factors such as employee scheduling, performance management, communication, and HR administration. Understanding your needs will guide you in choosing software with the right features and functionalities.
Consider Users and Licenses: Evaluate who will be using the software within your organization and how many licenses you’ll need. Determine if it will primarily be HR professionals and managers or if the entire organization will require access. Rank the needs of different user groups to prioritize key functionalities for each.
Integration with Existing Tools: Clarify which tools you’re replacing, retaining, or integrating with the new software. Determine if the software needs to integrate with payroll systems, attendance trackers, or other existing tools. This integration ensures smooth data flow and eliminates the need for manual data entry.
Define Desired Outcomes: Think about the outcomes you want to achieve with the software, such as improved scheduling, better employee communication, or streamlined performance management. By defining clear objectives, you can focus on selecting software that aligns with your goals and measures success accordingly.
Workflow Alignment: Evaluate how the software will fit within your organization’s existing workflows and delivery methodology. Identify areas of improvement and ensure that the software enhances efficiency rather than causing disruptions.
Ease of Use and Adaptability: Look for software with a user-friendly interface that’s easy to navigate. Consider how quickly you and your employees can adapt to the employee management software to minimize training time and maximize productivity. Ensure the software is adaptable to accommodate future growth and changing needs.
Customer Support and Training: Choose software that offers reliable customer support and comprehensive training resources. Access to technical assistance ensures smooth implementation and ongoing support for your team.
Test Before Committing: Many employee management software options offer free trials. Take advantage of these trials to test the software in your environment before making a final decision. This allows you to assess its suitability and ensure it meets your organization’s requirements.
Selecting the right employee management software is essential for businesses looking to improve their operations. Take the time to evaluate different options and choose software that will support your team and drive success.
15 Employee Management Software
When we talk about employee management, we’re talking about a whole slew of things – from payroll to benefits, scheduling, and performance management. It’s a complex web of tasks that can be overwhelming to tackle on your own. In the following section, we have listed down 20 employee management software and organized them into different categories based on their functionalities.
Collaboration Tools
Did you know that a staggering 86% of workplace failures can be attributed to either a lack of collaboration or ineffective communication? It’s a startling statistic that highlights just how vital effective teamwork is in any organization.
When your team is spread across different locations, working on various projects simultaneously, how do you ensure everyone stays connected, informed, and aligned toward common goals? The answer is: with the help of collaboration tools.
These tools facilitate communication, project management, and collaboration among team members, bridging the gap created by physical distance. They enable teams to work efficiently and stay connected regardless of their location. Let’s take a look at some of the collaboration tools out there:
1. Bit.ai – Knowledge Sharing Platform
Managing and collaborating on documents and knowledge can be a daunting task. Whether you’re working on a project with a team spread across the globe or simply trying to organize your own thoughts, having the right tools can make all the difference. That’s where Bit.ai comes in.
Bit.ai is an innovative document and wiki collaboration platform designed to streamline the way you create, share, and organize information. It’s a powerful tool that integrates seamlessly with your workflow, making collaboration easier and more efficient than ever before.
Main Features:
Smart Docs & Wikis: Bit’s powerful editor allows you to create interactive living documents and wikis, making it easy to collaborate with your team in real-time.
Real-Time Collaboration: Invite colleagues, clients, and partners to collaborate in real-time, making it easy to edit, add comments, and create together.
AI Genius Assistant Writer: Maximize your productivity with Bit’s AI writing assistant, which helps you create custom templates, conduct research, brainstorm ideas, and more.
Smart Widgets: Use Bit’s slash menu to quickly insert smart widgets like code blocks, tables, signatures, and more, enhancing the functionality of your documents.
Rich Media Integration: Enrich your documents with rich media content such as videos, maps, charts, presentations, forms, and more, seamlessly integrated into your workflow.
Organized Workspaces: Organize your knowledge in workspaces, folders, documents, and wikis, creating a single place for all your team’s collaboration and knowledge management needs.
Multiple Sharing Options: Share your work intelligently via shareable links, trackable links, and website embeds, ensuring that your documents reach the right audience.
Document Tracking: Track your documents and wikis to understand your audience’s engagement levels, gathering valuable insights to improve your content.
Guest Access: Utilize guest access to create secure datarooms and client portals for sharing sensitive information with external parties. With permission controls in place, you can regulate data access and maintain confidentiality throughout the collaboration process.
2. Microsoft Teams – Internal Communication Software
Microsoft Teams is a comprehensive communication and collaboration platform that brings together chat, video conferencing, file sharing, and integration with other Microsoft 365 applications into a single workspace.
Main Features:
Chat: Instant messaging allows for quick conversations, sharing of files, and the ability to organize discussions into channels for specific projects or topics.
Meetings and Conferencing: Host online meetings and video conferences with teammates or external partners.
File Sharing: Share files, documents, and presentations within Teams, ensuring everyone has access to the latest information and resources.
Integration: Seamlessly integrates with other Microsoft 365 apps such as Outlook, SharePoint, and OneDrive, enhancing productivity and workflow efficiency.
Accessibility: Teams is designed to be accessible to users with disabilities, with features such as screen reader support and keyboard shortcuts.
3. Asana – Project Management Software
Asana is a collaborative project management platform that enables teams to plan, organize, and track their work in one place. It provides a centralized hub where team members can collaborate, assign tasks, set deadlines, and monitor progress, ultimately driving clarity and impact at scale.
Main Features:
Project Management: Asana offers project creation, task definition, deadline setting, and team assignment features for comprehensive project management.
Goals and Reporting: Align projects with goals, track progress in real-time, and generate reports for performance monitoring and improvement insights.
Workflows and Automation: Simplify tasks and streamline workflows with automation tools such as rules, forms, and bundles, reducing manual effort and saving time.
Resource Management: Manage workload, track time, and allocate resources effectively to keep projects on schedule and within budget.
Admin and Security: Enterprise-grade security features protect data and ensure compliance, while the admin console allows easy management of user access, permissions, and settings.
App Integrations: Seamlessly integrate with over 300 third-party applications to connect favorite tools and further streamline workflows.
4. Kissflow – Workflow Management Software
Kissflow is an advanced low-code and no-code platform designed to empower organizations to build, automate, and manage their workflows effortlessly. It offers a range of intuitive tools and features that cater to various personas within an organization, from IT leaders and developers to process owners and business users.
Main Features:
App Builder: Easily create tailored applications with Kissflow’s drag-and-drop interface, no coding required.
Integrations: Connect Kissflow with existing systems for seamless data exchange and workflow automation.
Process Builder: Design and automate complex processes visually, streamlining approvals and task assignments.
Governance: Ensure compliance and governance through access controls, permissions, and audit trails.
Form Builder: Design dynamic forms efficiently, customize fields, validations, and logic.
External Portals: Create secure portals for partners or customers to engage with workflows.
Reports & Analytics: Gain insights into workflows with robust reporting tools, optimize processes with data-driven decisions.
Time and Attendance Tracking
With teams scattered across different locations, whether in the office, at home, or on the go, ensuring everyone stays on track with their tasks and attendance can be a real challenge. Some might prefer to work during the day while others thrive in the night. Keeping tabs on who’s doing what and when can feel like herding cats. In such cases, how can you ensure everyone is putting in the right amount of time? That’s where time and attendance tracking software comes in. Lets take a look at some of such tools:
1.Harvest
Harvest is an intuitive time-tracking and project management tool designed to simplify the way teams monitor their hours, manage projects, and handle invoicing.
Main Features:
Time Tracking: Track hours easily across devices for seamless time management.
Integrated Workflow: Harmonize with existing tools for streamlined time capture.
Custom Reminders: Set automated prompts for consistent time management.
Reports & Analysis: Access visual insights for enhanced project oversight and management.
Invoicing & Payments: Convert time and expenses into professional invoices with integrated payment options.
Accounting Integration: Sync invoices and payments effortlessly with accounting software for accurate bookkeeping.
2. Hubstaff
Hubstaff is an advanced time-tracking software designed to simplify the way businesses monitor and manage their team’s time.
Main Features:
Time Tracking: Monitor task, project, and client time for accountability and improvement.
Schedules and Shifts: Manage schedules and availability to reduce conflicts across remote, hybrid, or in-office teams.
Workload Management: Set limits to prevent burnout, balance workloads, and allocate resources effectively.
Expense Tracking: Simplify expense and project cost management and gain insights into profitability effortlessly.
Workforce Analytics: Gain workforce insights, improve staffing decisions, and drive informed decision-making.
Remote and Field Employee Support: Manage remote and field employees efficiently with GPS tracking and productivity monitoring.
3. Clockify
Clockify is a time tracker and timesheet app designed to help individuals and teams monitor their work hours across different projects. It’s a straightforward tool that lets you keep tabs on your productivity, track billable hours, and manage your time more efficiently.
Main Features:
Timer: Track work hours in real-time with a stopwatch-like feature.
Timesheet: Log your weekly activities quickly and efficiently.
Calendar: Visualize and manage your time with an interactive calendar view.
Auto tracker: Keep tabs on the apps and websites you use during work hours.
Reports: Analyze and export tracked time for insights into productivity and performance.
Activity: See who’s working on what tasks and for how long.
Scheduling: Plan and assign work schedules, tasks, and shifts efficiently.
Time off: Manage leaves, holidays, and other time-off requests seamlessly.
Approval: Submit and approve timesheets and expenses effortlessly.
Invoicing: Create invoices directly from billable time entries for clients or stakeholders.
4. Toggl
Toggl Track is a user-friendly time-tracking software that aims to make time tracking effortless and insightful for teams and individuals. It offers a range of features tailored to various business needs, from accurate time reporting to project tracking and team workload management.
Main Features:
Auto-tracking: Automatically track app and browser activity for precise records of work hours.
Seamless Integration: Connect with over 100 apps, including Trello, Asana, Slack, and more, for streamlined workflow.
Comprehensive Reports: Generate summary, detailed, and weekly reports exportable in various formats for better insights.
Scheduled Reports: Schedule reports to be emailed regularly, ensuring stakeholders stay informed and up-to-date.
Automated Reminders: Set reminders for team members to ensure timely time tracking and adherence to schedules.
Task Management: Assign tasks and sub-projects for precise activity management and efficient resource allocation.
Employee productivity is a significant concern for hybrid and remote teams. While various software and tools are available to support teams, it’s essential to use them responsibly, focusing on improving productivity rather than micromanaging employees.
Payroll Management
If you’re an HR manager, you know firsthand the importance of keeping your employees satisfied. After all, happy employees equal productive employees, right? And what’s one surefire way to keep them smiling? Yep, you guessed it – making sure they receive their hard-earned cash without any hiccups.
Managing payroll isn’t exactly a walk in the park. It involves juggling various tasks, from calculating hours worked to factoring in taxes and benefits. And let’s not forget about staying compliant with ever-changing regulations. It’s enough to make anyone’s head spin! To make your task simpler, consider opting for payroll management software such as below:
1. Gusto
Gusto is an online platform designed to streamline your payroll and HR processes, making your life as a business owner much easier. With Gusto, you can hire, pay, and manage your team all in one place, putting the joy back into running your business.
Timekeeping: Simplify employee hour tracking with Gusto’s seamless time tracking, eliminating manual entry and spreadsheets for accurate records.
Reporting: Gain insights into payroll and HR data effortlessly with Gusto’s insightful reports, facilitating informed decision-making from payroll summaries to employee performance metrics.
Employee Benefits: Support your team’s well-being economically with Gusto’s range of benefits, from health insurance administration to retirement plans, streamlining support without added complexity.
Hiring and Onboarding: Expedite talent acquisition and onboarding processes with Gusto’s tools, spanning job postings to tailored onboarding checklists for swift integration of new team members.
Remote Teams: Effectively manage distributed teams with Gusto’s specialized features, ensuring seamless coordination regardless of geographical location.
2. Paycor
Paycor is a comprehensive human capital management (HCM) tool designed to simplify and optimize HR processes across organizations.
Features of Paycor:
Timekeeping: Automates employee hour tracking and schedule management and ensures labor law compliance.
Reporting: Offers insights into HR metrics for data-driven decision-making and organizational success.
Payroll Software: Manages tax filing, compliance, and administrative processes, reducing errors and saving time.
Talent Management: Fosters employee growth and engagement through performance evaluations and career development plans.
Workforce Management: Optimizes productivity, controls costs, and ensures compliance with labor laws through dynamic scheduling and time theft prevention.
Compliance Solutions: Mitigates risks and saves time by staying updated on laws and regulations through HR compliance and regulatory reporting tools.
3. Remofirst
Remofirst organizes your team’s global employees and compiles your international payroll into one simple approval process. No more headaches trying to juggle different currencies and compliance regulations.
Main Features:
Timekeeping: Remofirst automates global team timekeeping, calculating hours, time off, holidays, bonuses, and commissions for accurate payroll.
Reporting: Access comprehensive payroll spend and employee classification reports conveniently from one dashboard.
Global Employer of Record (EoR): Hire full-time employees in 160+ countries effortlessly, saving time and bypassing local entity setup.
International Contractors: Simplify contractor management with compliant contracts, reducing risks and streamlining workforce management.
Bulletproof Compliance: Stay compliant globally with legal and HR experts, preventing costly mistakes and safeguarding intellectual property.
Dependable Support: Each client receives a dedicated account manager and 24/7 customer support for a smooth experience.
Performance Management
With the right tools at your disposal, performance management becomes as easy as pie. You can set clear goals, track progress effortlessly, and provide meaningful feedback – all with just a few clicks of a button.
We’ve curated a selection of the best performance management tools on the market. Whether you’re a small startup or a large corporation, there’s a solution out there that’s perfect for your needs.
1. Lattice
Lattice is the AI-powered people platform that simplifies HR operations and boosts productivity.
Main Features:
Performance Management: Identify your top talent and empower every individual to thrive in their roles.
Compensation Alignment: Seamlessly link compensation to performance, ensuring that top performers are duly rewarded.
Complete HRIS Integration: Connect impactful talent initiatives with comprehensive employee records for streamlined operations.
OKRs & Goal Alignment: Rally your teams around key objectives and ensure alignment with your business priorities.
Employee Growth Acceleration: Transform managers into effective career coaches, fostering rapid employee development.
Reporting and Analytics: Gain valuable insights into performance, engagement, diversity, and more through comprehensive reporting and analytics tools.
2. Leapsome
Leapsome is an intelligent HR platform designed to empower managers and teams in the modern workplace. It offers a suite of solutions aimed at enhancing various aspects of people management, including performance reviews, goal setting, learning and development, employee engagement, feedback, and compensation.
Main Features:
Timekeeping: Keep meetings on track with effortless time management, ensuring discussions stay focused and conclude punctually.
Reporting: Automatically generate detailed meeting reports, including attendance, agenda items, decisions, and action items, all in one convenient location.
Interactive Tools: Enhance team engagement with built-in interactive features like polls, surveys, and collaborative document editing, making meetings dynamic and participatory.
Integration: Seamlessly connect Leapsome’s Meetings module with your existing tools such as, Slack, and project management software for a cohesive workflow.
User-Friendly Interface: Enjoy the benefits of more efficient meetings with Leapsome’s intuitive interface, enabling easy adoption and utilization by all team members.
3. 15Five
15Five is a performance management platform designed to help businesses improve employee engagement, performance, and retention.
Timekeeping: Easily track goals, tasks, and deadlines. Set timelines, assign tasks, and monitor progress in real-time.
Reporting: Gain insights into team performance. Customizable reports aid decision-making by highlighting achievements and trends.
Feedback & Recognition: Cultivate a feedback-rich culture. Employees share praise, offer constructive feedback, and recognize peers effortlessly.
Goal Alignment: Ensure individual goals match organizational objectives. Cascading goals across the organization fosters alignment and clarity.
Coaching & Development: Support employee growth with personalized plans. Identify development opportunities and provide resources for professional advancement.
Streamline reviews with automation. Conduct regular check-ins, document progress, and provide actionable feedback.
4. Reflektive
Reflektive is a comprehensive performance management platform designed to empower teams, enhance productivity, and boost retention rates.
Main Features:
1:1 Conversations: Facilitate meaningful discussions between managers and team members.
Reviews and Check-ins: Regular check-ins and reviews to keep everyone on track and accountable.
Action Plans: Receive suggested action plans based on survey results to address any issues and boost engagement.
Email and Collaboration: Seamlessly integrate with your existing email and collaboration tools for streamlined communication.
HRIS: Connect with your HRIS for easy access to employee data and seamless integration with your HR processes.
Surveys: Gather feedback through prebuilt and custom surveys to understand sentiment and engagement.
Benchmarks and Sentiment Analysis: Measure engagement levels and sentiment to identify areas for improvement.
Final Thoughts
The heartbeat of every successful organization is its people. As HR managers, you understand this better than anyone else. After all, it’s not just about setting goals or devising strategies; it’s about the people who drive those strategies forward. As Jim Collins wisely puts it, “The most important decisions an organization makes are not its strategic choices, but its people choices.”
Managing employees isn’t just about keeping track of their schedules or overseeing their tasks. It’s about understanding their needs, nurturing their talents, and creating an environment where they can thrive. Because when your team thrives, your organization thrives too.
So, the next time you find yourself overwhelmed by the complexities of HR management, remember this: it’s not just about managing tasks; it’s about managing people. And with the right tools, like employee management software, you can unlock the full potential of your team and lead your organization to success.
Further Reads:
Performance Management System To Track Employee Performance!
Performance Management: Improve Employee Engagement & Productivity!
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