Use of self-service HR and payroll on the rise

A quarter of respondents intend to introduce self-service HR and payroll in the next two years, according to research by MidlandHR.

Its research, Self-service e-evolution: HR and payroll, which surveyed 200 HR and payroll managers from UK organisations with more than 500 employees, found that almost two-thirds (61%) of respondents that had already adopted self-service had done so in the past three years.

The benefits of self-service since its introduction included: better core data (65%), the freeing up of HR time (55%) and improved employee satisfaction (51%). 

The majority (83%) of respondents that already use self-service reported that their organisations had chosen to deploy both employee and manager self-service.

The top uses of employee self-service included maintaining personal details, reviewing and booking holidays, viewing pay history, and completing expenses claims and overtime claims.

The top use for manager self-service was to authorise and record absence.

The research also found that almost a quarter (23%) of respondents currently do not intend to introduce self-service, with the main reason being a lack of employee access to required hardware (37%).

Another 30% said it would require the organisation to undertake a significant change management programme, while 28% deemed it too expensive.

The research also found:

  • 19% of respondents provide access to self-service from mobile devices.
  • 91% of respondents enable employees to access self-service from their own desk.
  • 17% of respondents have installed central points of access for staff.

Matthew Jenkins (pictured), managing director of MidlandHR, said: “UK organisations are clearly recognising the benefits, including the significant time and cost savings that self-service can bring to managers and employees alike, and appear to be embracing self-service at a rapid rate.

“The fact that so many organisations are still fairly new to self-service shows what a recent trend this has been. And undoubtedly, it is a trend that looks set to continue.

“Accommodating employees without regular access to a computer is considered to be one of the top three challenges to adopting self-service.

”However, as more UK organisations adopt a bring your own device (BYOD) policy to enable employees to work more flexibly and be more productive, the expectation for mobile access is only going to increase.”