Every company’s HR fulfils a hub function for a wide variety of concerns and is therefore very versatile. HR employees work alternatingly as psychologists, administrative miracle workers, technical geniuses, acrobats with figures- and should also enable a pleasant and smooth working day for all staff members. A packed job description - which can be mastered best if certain productivity killers can be identified and eliminated!

Productivity killer number 1: paper dossiers

Every fifth tree felled is used to make paper. In Switzerland, an average of 139 kg of paper and cardboard was used per capita in 2017. Reducing the consumption of paper in HR not only benefits the climate and the environment, but also productivity. Time wasters such as printing, filing and searching documents can be avoided by using an electronic personnel file.

Positive side-effect: You also save space because bulky filing cabinets are no longer needed.

Productivity killer number 2: routine requests

A lot of time is lost when the same enquiries from employees have to be answered. Questions such as "From which day do I have to submit a medical certificate?", "How many days of paternity leave am I entitled to?" or "Where can I find the personnel regulations?” consume time when replied to. By making information articles available to employees via a portal, these frequently asked questions can already be answered directly. If an answer is not explained by an article, employees can file an enquiry directly via the same portal.

Positive side-effect: You not only save time that you can use elsewhere, but you can also make all kinds of exciting information available via the employee portal.

Productivity killer number 3: cumbersome, confusing processes

Many processes converge in HR that require cooperation between different people and departments. For example, if a new employee joins the company, the new supervisor, the IT department, HR itself and other departments must be involved in a process. If these processes are complicated and cumbersome, time is lost due to unclear communication channels and it is difficult for the person initiating this process to monitor them. These challenges can be solved by means of clear and concise processes.

Positive side-effect: Processes can also be monitored at a glance and adapted if necessary.

Productivity killer number 4: demanding employee requests

There will always be inquiries and cases that cannot be covered by means of a standard process. However, even complex requests are easier and more efficient to handle if certain distribution lists, responsibilities and procedures are already recorded somewhere and can be easily accessed when needed. 

Positive side-effect: The time saved in the administrative area means that focus can be placed even more strongly on the employee and his enquiry.

Productivity killer number 5: data overload

Too much or too little data that says nothing about employees' needs makes it difficult to optimise processes and procedures in a targeted way. These kinds of issues can be easily identified through statistics and simple evaluations.

Positive side-effect: There is more time to respond to individual needs and strive for improvement.