Whether you are managing employees, looking to hire or still trying to get your head around complex employment laws, as an HR manager, the hiring process can overwhelm even the most organized of us…
Short staffed? There’s an app for that
Here we review 10 HR apps for transforming stressed managers into weapon-savvy productivity ninjas during those busy periods, because your job needn’t be so stressful!
1) Tribe HR $$
With multiple tools in one app, Tribe HR offers features such as applicant tracking, recruiting, performance reviews and absence management. It is suitable for small to mid-sized businesses with 250 employees or more.
The perks
- It comes with a 60-day free trial
- It includes great features such as ‘skills tracking’ where organizations can build a list of skills for each employee by position
The downsides
- Midsized businesses may end up paying more for the service, since its price is based on the number of employees
- Transparency of the pricing is unclear
2) IEmployee $
Available to download free from iTunes, this web-based time and attendance management app can track expenses, travel, leave and purchases whilst on the move.
The perks
- It’s free!
- Ease of use makes training new users relatively simple
The downsides
- Only compatible with iPhone, iPad and iPod touch
- Limited range of features compared to other apps
3) Salesforce Labs – Employee Manager $
One of Salesforce Labs range of apps, this one is perfect for managers specifically and helps them to keep track of employee info, salary history, benefit info, unpaid time off etc.
The perks
- Easy to customize for your own needs
- Great for organizations with a large staff turnover, e.g. those hiring seasonal employees
The downsides
- Basic design
- Limited functionality
4) Workable $$
Workable is great for HR teams with multiple managers as it allows users to designate others to take over the process. Users can also attract candidates, track applications and prepare for interviews.
The perks
- Extremely intuitive
- Easy to organize information
The downsides
- Can’t include attachments on email templates
- Can’t link Twitter accounts to Workable
5) Job Science $$
The number one choice for those organizations hoping to boost their social profiles, this staffing and recruitment app allows users to create job listings and post onto sites such as LinkedIn and Facebook.
The perks
- Easy to upload attachments such as resumes
- Great customer service team if you encounter any issues
The downsides
- Desktop view is easier to use than the mobile version, so may not be the best choice for managers on the move
- Inability to drag and drop documents with email
6) Financial Force HCM $$
A great app for organizations looking to use technology to improve HR delivery without investing in a large system.
The perks
- Free trial available
- Self-driven and customizable to your organization
The downsides
- This app is upgraded frequently, so features may be harder to get to grips with
- Users can experience low load times
7) Effortless HR $$$
Effortless HR helps employers to manage the most important asset in their organization – their employees. This app features such as an employee portal, where employees can update information and request time off
The perks
- Three flat-rate plans (no per-employee pricing)
- Great range of training in person, online and through webinars
The downsides
- No payroll management feature
- Price dependant on size of organization
8) Zoho Recruit $$
Find the right person for the job with this recruitment-focused app. With Zoho Recruit, you can promote job postings, publish career pages and even communicate with potential employees.
The perks
- Lots of add-ons available
- Easy to use – employers only need a short demo to understand its features
The downsides
- Users say mass email can be difficult to set up
- No automatic job alerts sent to candidates
9) Nimble Schedule $
Versatile, and easy to use, this app is great for managing the day’s schedule, with a snapshot of hours and shifts scheduled.
The perks
- Easy to use for both managers and employees
- Great layout and extremely visual!
The downsides
- Some tasks require extra steps, which cuts down on efficiency
- Difficult to compare your schedule with others
10) Bamboo HR $$
This easy to use, user-friendly product can save your organization a great deal of time when it comes to managing employees. Organizations using Bamboo HR don’t have to worry about maintaining records of their own.
The perks
- Great customer service team and support staff
- Extremely user-friendly
The downsides
- Limited calendar functionality
- Staff can’t update their own training information
Are you a weapon-savvy HR professional? Make sure you use the right tools to keep on top of your game!
Dawn O’Connor is the Director and Master Productivity Ninja at Think Productive Canada, personal productivity and time management training company serving knowledge workers across Canada. With a team of Productivity Ninjas in most major cities, they deliver a range of stress-reducing and time-savings workshops including their most popular session—Getting Your Inbox to Zero, where participants walk away with transformed inboxes, increased focus, and a greater drive for productivity.
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