Essential Tools for HR Specialists

Human Resources (HR) specialists play a crucial role in managing an organization's most valuable asset: its people. To excel in this multifaceted role, HR professionals need a robust suite of tools to streamline processes, enhance productivity, and ensure a positive employee experience. Here are ten options that can help achieve these goals.

1. GanttPRO: The Gantt Chart Maker

A simple Gantt chart creator for easy work with tasks of any complexity - GanttPRO. For HR specialists, this tool proves invaluable in several ways:

1. Project planning and scheduling: HR projects often involve numerous tasks and deadlines. For example, it can be onboarding new employees, organizing training sessions, or planning events. GanttPRO helps HR professionals visualize the timeline and dependencies between activities.
2. Resource allocation: GanttPRO allows HR to distribute resources appropriately, avoid team’s overload and keep projects stay on schedule.
3. Progress tracking: Monitoring the progress of HR initiatives becomes seamless with GanttPRO. HRs can easily see well-timed and overdue tasks, and make all required adjustments accordingly.
4. Collaboration: HR teams often work with various departments. GanttPRO's collaborative features enable real-time updates and communication both within HR projects and projects that involve the department.

2. BambooHR: Comprehensive HR Management

BambooHR stands out as a comprehensive HR management system. It offers a wide range industry-specific features including applicant tracking, employee records, and performance management. HR professionals tend to opt for it for its user-friendly interface and powerful analytics.

1. Centralized employee data: The system facilitates accessing and managing records as it consolidates all information related to the employees.
2. Applicant tracking system: It also streamlines the recruitment process by tracking applicants through each stage of hiring.
3. Performance management: HRs can use it in performance reviews and goal setting to ensure that all employees receive constructive feedback and are provided with proper development opportunities.
4. Employee self-service: Employees can update their information and access necessary documents by themselves to reduce unnecessary administrative burden on HR.

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3. Workday: Enterprise HR Solution

Workday offers a top-notch enterprise HR solution tailored to large organizations. It conveniently integrates human capital management, payroll, and financial management into a single system.

1. Human capital management: This solution assists in managing the entire employee lifecycle from recruitment to retirement.
2. Payroll management: It also guarantees accurate and timely payroll processing.
3. Talent management: It provides tools to identify and develop talent within the organization for succession planning.
4. Workforce analytics: HRs can make well-informed strategic decisions using Workday’s insights into workforce trends and performance.

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4. ADP Workforce Now: HR, Payroll, and Benefits

ADP Workforce Now is a cloud-based HR suite that combines payroll, HR, talent, and benefits administration.

1. Payroll services: There is a toolset to ensure compliance and accuracy in payroll processing.
2. HR management: HRs can work with the employee information, plan and carry out onboarding, and control performance.
3. Benefits administration: This suite simplifies benefits enrollment and management.
4. Compliance and risk management: It helps HR processes to stay compliant with labor laws and regulations.

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5. Zenefits: HR Platform for Small Businesses

Zenefits is popular among small and mid-sized businesses that need to save time and organize their HR tasks.

1. All-in-one nature: Combines payroll, benefits, and HR management in one system.
2. Onboarding: The platform streamlines the onboarding process for new hires.
3. Time and attendance: Managers can track employees’ hours and attendance.
4. Compliance assistance: There are tools that help businesses to ensure compliance with regulations.

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6. Slack: Communication and Collaboration

Slack is a perfect app for communication and collaboration within HR teams and across the organization.

1. Channels for communication: The app allows to group conversations by channels for specific topics, projects, or teams.
2. Integration with other tools: It also connects with specialized HR tools and systems for seamless workflow.
3. Real-time messaging: Anyone can send instant messages and share files within the organization.
4. Remote collaboration: HRs can work together from anywhere due to its comprehensive communication possibilities.

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7. SurveyMonkey: Employee Feedback and Surveys

SurveyMonkey is essential for gathering employee feedback and conducting surveys.

1. Employee surveys: HRs can use the tools to collect feedback on employee satisfaction, engagement, and get other important insights.
2. Customizable templates: It is possible to expedite the process by using survey templates tailored to HR needs.
3. Data analysis: Some instruments help to analyze survey results and provide actionable metrics.
4. Anonymous feedback: With this feature of anonymity, HRs can obtain more honest responses.

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8. LinkedIn Talent Solutions: Recruitment and Networking

LinkedIn Talent Solutions is a powerful tool for recruitment and professional networking.

1. Talent acquisition: The primary goal of the tool is to help with identifying and recruiting top talent through LinkedIn's extensive network.
2. Job posting: HRs can post job openings to reach a broad audience of potential candidates.
3. Recruitment analytics: It helps to discern recruitment performance and trends.
4. Employer branding: By using it, companies can make their brand more attractive for high-quality candidates.

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9. Trello: Project Management

Trello offers a visual board-based approach to project management.

1. Task management: Any process can be organized within boards, lists, and cards that represent specific activities.
2. Collaboration: Real-time updates of shared boards allow teams to collaborate.
3. Workflow automation: Managers can automate repetitive tasks and save time for other HR management activities.
4. Integration with other tools: By connecting Trello with HR and productivity tools, the HR department can maximize its functionality.

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10. Glassdoor: Employer Branding and Reviews

Glassdoor is crucial for managing employer brand and understanding employee sentiment.

1. Company reviews: HR departments can monitor and respond to employee reviews.
2. Job listings: There is a possibility to post job openings to attract potential candidates.
3. Employer branding: The platform helps to embellish employer brand by showcasing company culture and values.
4. Competitor analysis: It’s also beneficial for its insights into competitor reviews and ratings.

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Conclusion

The right digital tool can make a significant difference in managing HR activities effectively. This list of 10 tools can help your organization in addressing various HR functions from task management, recruitment and employee management to communication and feedback. So, don’t hesitate to try them and see how they can enhance efficiency and employee satisfaction, and improve other adjacent areas and processes in general within the organization.