Human resource (HR) software helps manage the entire employee lifecycle—from hiring and employee performance management to benefits administration and exit. But to find the right solution, human resource managers should know which features will help simplify workforce management and get the most out of the HR software solution they buy.
This article highlights five key HR software features based on the ratings given by verified software users. We also include the highest-rated HR software solutions for each feature. Read more.
1. Employee database
The employee database feature in an HR system offers a central repository to store and manage important employee information. It typically includes employee details, such as their profiles, contact details, employment history, job titles, compensation details. The database can also have employee performance reviews, training records, and other relevant information.
What business problem does an employee database solve?
An employee database eliminates the risks associated with paper-based data storage. It offers digital information storage and security measures such as role-based access and two-factor authentication to keep employee data safe. Moreover, it simplifies organizing and finding staff records, improving accuracy in handling sensitive data.
Ideal users of the employee database feature
If you’re a human resource manager who oversees multiple departments with a high employee headcount, you can benefit the most from an employee database. This feature can help your business organize and store large volumes of employee information and simplify workforce management processes.
Top 3 products with the highest ratings for employee database
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2. Employee profiles
The employee profiles feature in an HR solution allows HR professionals to create and manage individual profiles for each employee. These profiles may include employee information, such as personal details, contact information, job title, department, and other relevant data. Unlike the employee database feature, which is a comprehensive repository that stores and organizes employee data, the employee profiles feature focuses on individual employee records within the database, providing a detailed view of each employee's information.
What business problem do employee profiles solve?
Employee profiles solve the problem of finding employee details in a scattered and unorganized database. This HR system feature provides quick access to individual employee information and makes overall workforce management efficient.
Ideal users of the employee profiles feature
HR staff and individual team managers can leverage employee profiles to identify skill gaps and areas of improvement. They can evaluate job history, performance records, and training records to offer personalized support to each employee.
Top 3 products with the highest ratings for employee profiles
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3. Vacation and leave tracking
The vacation and leave tracking feature in an HR system automates the management of employee vacations, leaves, and time off. It provides a system for employees to request time off and facilitates the approval process, where designated approvers can review, approve or deny leave requests.
What business problem does vacation and leave tracking solve?
Vacation and leave tracking helps avoid staffing conflicts that may arise when multiple team members request time off simultaneously. Besides, it helps prevent non-compliance to employment laws related to leave entitlements, accruals, and usage.
Ideal users of the vacation and leave tracking feature
Team managers can benefit from the vacation and leave tracking feature. They can track employee leaves via a calendar view and manage staffing levels to avoid conflicts and ensure smooth operations. Additionally, it offers employees complete visibility into their available leave balances so they can plan their time off better.
Top 3 products with the highest ratings for vacation and leave tracking
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4. Self-service portal
A self-service portal is a dedicated module or platform within the HR system that allows employees to access and manage their HR-related information. Employees can use the portal to find HR personnel, view and download pay stubs, and request time off. This feature can improve the overall employee productivity and experience.
What business problem does a self-service portal solve?
Having a self-service portal in an HR system helps reduce administrative burdens as employees are empowered to perform various HR-related tasks. They can access the self-service portal via the HR system to complete HR tasks anytime, anywhere. This eliminates the need for manual paperwork, phone calls, or in-person visits to the HR department.
Ideal users of the self-service portal feature
Employees are the primary users of the self-service portal in HR system. However, HR professionals can also use this portal to define access permissions, monitor employee engagement, and provide support and guidance to employees.
Top 3 products with the highest ratings for a self-service portal
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5. Employee onboarding
The employee onboarding feature of human resource software helps the HR department onboard new employees and familiarize them with company policies and processes. It offers an onboarding portal with all the details new hires should know, such as joining date, working hours, office address, and HR personnel details. Employees can also use the portal to upload and submit relevant documents.
What business problem does employee onboarding solve?
With this feature, the HR department can create an engaging onboarding process for new hires and digitalize paper-based onboarding processes, such as employee background verification and document approval. It also lets you set up an onboarding portal that contains information on company policies, work culture, and compliance to help new employees learn about the company and complete onboarding tasks.
Ideal users of the employee onboarding feature
The employee onboarding feature will benefit HR onboarding contacts the most. They can simplify and enhance the onboarding experience to ensure new employees feel welcomed, informed, and equipped to contribute effectively to the business from day one.
Top 3 products with the highest ratings for employee onboarding
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