Three unexpected productivity benefits of social HRMS

Social HRMS can be a powerful tool with many benefits. It does require extra time and attention to manage it but the expected and unexpected benefits can far outweigh the time cost. If you are considering social HRMS, here are three lesser known productivity benefits that can be the final piece of your business case for new software.

1. Clever solutions through informal connections

Social HRMS is a wonderful mechanism with which to create the traditional water cooler or coffee machine meetups. Some of your best employee brainstorming comes in these informal settings. Social HRMS allows you to recreate this environment on a global scale.

Encourage your social HRMS as a place where employees can connect. Often companies promote employee feedback and interaction through official means like surveys and organized sessions. Some of your best ideas can come through chance conversations and social HRMS is a method to achieve that casual interaction. If you’re implementing social HRMS for the first time, try to put out conversation starters or use social ambassadors to cause interest.

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2. Faster team bonding

Many employees are connected through established social media platforms in professional and nonprofessional channels. Some employees choose not to participate in these options as they find them invasive in their personal lives. Others prefer not to mix their work life with their free time and will not connect with colleagues on these sites. A social HRMS is an easy way to bring together your employees in a non-threatening and non-intrusive environment.

You’ll find that employees will move faster through Tuckman’s group development phase of ‘forming’ as you start new project teams. Team members can connect through social HRMS and learn about each other before a new project kicks off. It will help them to create a positive team environment even before a project formally begins.

3. Increased HRMS usage

Many companies find their HRMS usage happens in peaks and troughs. Busy times like open enrollment will see high utilization. Employees will use the HRMS for viewing paychecks but might not need it otherwise unless they have a life event like a birth or adoption. When your HRMS is also a social platform, however, you’ll see daily log-ins as employees check for new discussions and comments.

As acceptance grows you may experience that it’s the first application that employees log in to in the morning. As employees use your HRMS more it extends to increased uptake in other areas like online training or recommending a job candidate. Better usage is a win-win for both your employees and your company.