The Age of Engagement: Four ways self -service can boost productivity

Spurred in no small part by the remote working boom caused by a global pandemic, we have clearly entered an era where employee productivity is being defined by technology – and how effectively it’s deployed.
In an HR context, one of the most important areas of focus is on solutions that improve productivity through better, self-directed engagement: employee-self service (ESS). Putting power and access into your colleagues’ hands can have a significant and positive impact to productivity, no matter the industry or field. Here are just four proven ways it can boost productivity:

1. Give employees more control

Self-service systems offer employees more visibility and control when undertaking everyday activities, such as accessing and updating their personal information, claiming expenses, and reviewing their payslips. This access means they don’t have to waste time asking, and waiting for, their managers to process and authorise requests that could otherwise be completed in minutes. Allowing them to get on with their lives, and tasks, more quickly (and more contentedly.)

2. Relieve your HR teams

Because employees are asked to take responsibility for managing their own information, HR teams stand to benefit as well. The fact that there is less employee-related admin to deal with means professionals’ time is freed up to focus on more value-add work, such as supporting staff wellbeing and developing inclusive workplace policies.

Moreover, when employee self-service is well implemented, HR professionals have access to more accurate, reliable, and higher quality people data at their fingertips. This means that better reports and analytics are available – with less time spend cleaning and updating data.

3. Put information at their fingertips

In large organisations in particular, it can sometimes feel like a struggle for employees to find and access key HR documents, such as benefit guides, Codes of Conduct, and workplace policies. Some documents – such as those related to support for medical emergencies or financial assistance – may have been part of an induction pack, but it could be months or years before they are suddenly, and urgently, necessary.

A self-service portal brings all the relevant payroll and HR information, which includes rewards, learning and development and expense management, together in one convenient place rather than it being scattered around disparate systems.

Making HR documents available through a portal that is regularly checked –for payslip information, for example – means that this information is immediately available when your colleagues need it.

4. Make remote and out-of-hours access easy

ESS apps let employees to gain instant, secure access to all of their personal information whenever they want it, and wherever they may be at the time. While not every job requires travel or operates primarily in the field, being out of the office doesn’t need to mean being blocked from accessing important information.

Some systems, such as Zellis’ MyView, offer single sign-on functionality, making it possible for users to seamlessly and securely access apps such as benefits and recognition, when and where they find the time. This means browsing for discounts or making decisions about pension contributions can be done at a time
when it’s easiest to focus.

These are just a few areas where enhancing employee self-service can increase productivity.

For five more reasons to use employee self-service in your organisation, click here.

If you want to hear more or understand how these services could work for your organisation, we’d love to hear from you!