HR Strategies

What are HR strategies?

HR strategies are actions designed to optimize an organization’s human capital to align with the business objectives. They are most successful when the results are quantifiable.

How do you create HR strategies?

Here is a basic outline for strategic and tactical HR planning:

1. Define the organization’s long- and short-term goals
2. Identify what the workforce will need to do to reach the goals
3. Determine the current workforce’s ability to achieve them
4. Determine what Human Resources actions (tactical planning) are necessary to increase the abilities of the workforce
5. Create a timeline for implementation

How can HR strategies benefit a company?

The Society of Human Resource Management (SHRM) outlines the following benefits of HR strategies:

• Providing a sense of “ownership” at all levels of the organization
• Providing a sense of direction that positively affects how work gets done
• Improving communications and relations between labor and management
• Eliminating disruptions
• Keeping employees focused on the objectives at hand
• Providing guidance for future training and development initiatives
• Helping establish milestones to meet long-term organizational goals

What types of Work Tech can help companies execute HR strategies?

Applicant tracking system (ATS)

An ATS helps recruiting teams reduce hiring costs, find higher quality talent and use hiring metrics to assess and improve talent acquisition strategies.

Onboarding systems

Structured onboarding systems increase new hire engagement which speeds time-to-productivity and reduces the risk of the employee quitting in the first year.

Performance management software

Successful companies make sure managers conduct performance reviews often. Performance management software helps managers and employees track performance over time.

Leave management software

Tracking PTO accruals, state and federal family leave, and other types of leave with spreadsheets is time-consuming and vulnerable to error. Companies can customize leave management software for their company PTO policies, state and federal laws, and union or government contracts. Automating this process saves time, improves accuracy and minimizes the risk of a compliance violation.

Learning management systems (LMS)

An LMS is an online platform for managing training programs. (Self-directed digital training is also called eLearning.) An LMS allows HR teams to customize, manage and track employee training in a centralized location. The new hire training component is often integrated with onboarding or performance management software. With the increase in remote working, an LMS is a must-have for modern workforces.

Automated employee timekeeping and scheduling software

Time tracking is a foundational business process. Paycheck accuracy is paramount. Labor optimization requires to-the-minute employee time and attendance. Cloud-based software integrated with hardware clocks provides a unified time and attendance solution. The system captures punches, confirms identity, tracks hours, meals and PTO, enforces schedules and prevents time theft. Integrated mobile clock-in and geofencing allow companies to track offsite employee punches and location.

Employee scheduling is a related HR function that can have a profound effect on organizational efficiency. Scheduling software allows you to create schedules in minutes using templates and drag-and-drop tools. Schedule modules integrated with timekeeping simplify schedule publication, timecard submission and approvals, shift trade requests and approvals, and PTO requests and approvals. Overtime alerts help prevent unplanned overtime and overtime compliance issues.

Benefit management software

Employee benefits are both extremely important and notoriously difficult to manage. Using specialized software to manage retirement plans, health insurance and other benefits is a best practice used by successful companies.

See also

• Strategic HR management
• Human Resources management
• HRMS

Additional resources

• Engaging in Strategic Planning (SHRM)
• COVID-19 Practical workforce strategies that put your people first (Deloitte)
• Why HR is Necessary to Manage Your Business
• HRMS Success: How To Manage Human Resources, Swipeclock
• Time and Attendance: Timekeeping, Policies, Software, Compliance, Templates, Swipeclock