Best 25 HR Tools the Pros Use

1. Gusto Software for HR, Benefits & Payroll

Bo Lais, CEO/Founder, Lula

“The very best HR tool which we use is gusto.com. Gusto is affordable, and it handles most of our HR. It takes care of our payroll, benefits, and paid time off. It’s a simple way for us and our employees to perform payroll.

Gusto comprises all of the previous pay stubs and contains excellent customer support. For us as a startup company, it’s convenient to be able to pay a monthly fee to automate this portion of our enterprise, rather than paying someone a salary.”

We concur. At Fit Small Business we have compared Gusto to ADP, Gusto to other payroll software, Gusto to other advantages options, and also have product review data on Gusto. Gusto continues to remain at the top of the list as best software for HR, payroll, and benefits.

Try out Gusto

2. Zoho Recruit for Recruiting

Kerry Alison Wekelo, Managing Director HR/Operations, Actualize Consulting

“Zoho Recruit was easy to implement, customizable, and affordable. We’ve been using for four decades and has fulfilled all our requirements. Formerly, we needed a more expensive and complex tool that retained upgrading and changing the appearance and texture.

Zoho Recruit is ideal to manage the recruiting process.”

3. Trello for Managing HR Jobs

Brian Cervino, Product Marketing, Trello

Brian indicates that Trello may be used an HR tool for all from offender tracking to handling the social committee and offers great sample HR Trello boards to offer you some ideas of how to use Trello to make HR easier to manage.

4. Bamboo HR — for All Human Resources Activities

Mollie Delp, HR, Workshop Digital

“After doing extensive research, we whittled our selection to BambooHR. It’s incredibly user friendly and contains a single price for all its attributes, such as ATS, record management, PTO tracking, plus much more.

I managed to remove over 17 spreadsheets where information and information was previously manually monitored, and  it made it possible for me to report on it.”

5. Slack for HR Automation

Emma Hunt, Head of Recruitment for Logojoy

“indefinitely, Slack is my favorite HR tool. Slack has a great deal of integration features to automate certain parts of the HR process and also make the employee travel easier. In Logojoy, we now have Slack integrated with Trello, where we keep business directories, and helpful links for employees, and Asana for task management among the groups.

Slackbots can be triggered by asking questions such as,”How do I submit an expense?” And integrations that present new people in stations and help facilitate individuals giving shout-outs to a another for great work.”

Here’s an article on best messaging applications to use as HR tools if you would like to compare Slack to a number of its competitors. In addition, Trello and Asana are free project management tools you may want to check out.

6. Timetastic to Replace Spreadsheets

Tiffany Chesson, Finance and HR Manager, YourParkingSpace.co.uk

“As a start-up company it is quite tricky to find a tool that’s operational, but also affordable. We wasted a lot of time together with clocks that were shared and various tools which had very limited performance prior to stumbling across Timetastic. It’s very aggressive in pricing, however you aren’t left wanting for more attributes as a outcome. It functions company-wide to track vacations and enables department-heads to place limits regarding how many team members can be away at any given time.

Furthermore, it’s options to monitor non-deductible leave like illness, compassionate and unpaid holiday. It is a wonderful place to centralise all the information and also the”wall chart” makes it simple to see everything at a glance.”

7. Timetastic with Slack To Keep Track of the Team

Alex Winston, HR Manager, PPC Protect Limited

“Another characteristic we adore about Timetastic is its built-in Slack integration. Since we utilize Slack frequently within our office, we also possess the Timetastic app installed. At the beginning of each workday, it is going to post a message and tell everyone in the channel who’s off for that given day. This is actually useful if you forgot somebody in IT booked a vacation 2 months past; instead of wondering where they’re, the app will tell you they’re on holiday.

One of the best characteristics of the program is that it shows a monthly calendar and reveals when other workers are on holiday. It also marks any public holidays and lets you know the number of times you have made to book off for the year. This implies before an employee requests time off, they could check to see if anyone else is off in the exact same moment.”

These previous two responses came from HR professionals in the UK. For other HR tools and timekeeping options, have a look at our articles like Best Time Clock, Best Scheduling Software, and also Best Time Tracking software.

8. Greenhouse Applicant Tracking System for Recruiting

Keaton Kruser, Recruiting Coordinator, Fueled

“For obvious reasons, the number one tool in almost any talent professional’s arsenal should be their ATS, or Applicant Tracking System. Greenhouse is, without a doubt, the best HR software we use on the Talent Team. The interface is easy to digest and wildly customizable, so that it assimilates to all those procedures you’ve already in place. In addition, the accounts, client support, and information teams in Greenhouse are extremely helpful and prompt in getting back to you with innovative solutions to any problems you may have.

We left Greenhouse last year in favour of exploring another ATS, but we quickly learned our lesson and came running back after a bit over four weeks because we understood that we are not likely to find another ATS that’s more intuitive or customer-friendly.”

9. Training Tools Like Skillsoft to Educate our Staff

Kathy Ross, SVP, ADP

“ADP believes in the worth of organizational understanding and understands it may support talent management. We’ve seen firsthand how effective it is to connect learning to competencies, performance goals, company goals, and organizational goals.

Whether it’s generating specialized curricula for new hires or seasoned professionals, providing workers with a wide range of flexible learning assets can help them gain new skills and refine their knowledge throughout their careers.”

10. Background Checks for Safety

Bev Bartlett, HR Officer, City of Chadron, NE

“We have some places that deal with money, some work with kids, and a few public safety positions; all of which require a thorough background screening for different reasons.”

11. Google Suite of Business Apps for Everything

Erin Bryan SHRM-CP, HR Manager, Scanadu

“Google, cliche but true… using a startup tech team moving fast and occasionally on the go, I could not keep up with their programs or needs minus Google Calendar, Gmail, and Google Docs.

I use Google forms for the backend of performance tests and employee recognition methods, and even utilize GoogleHire for my ATS. Having these varied platforms connected saves me .”

12. 360-Feedback Tool Impraise for Peer Feedback

Jaśmina Pacer, People & Talent Advisor, Bynder

“Our favourite HR instrument in Bynder is Impraise — a 360 feedback tool which makes it possible for both managers and peers to provide feedback to one another. It’s simple to use, looks good and helps us to foster a feedback culture among all workers.

We use it for different types of testimonials: Peer review (including self evaluation ), Leadership review and Employee review, which implies that everybody gets a full picture of how they’re doing in their role.”

13. TinyPulse Survey Tool for Employee Engagement

Cristian Rennella VP of HR & CoFounder of all elMejorTrato.com.pe

“After 9 years of work and never have tried many distinct alternatives, I will guarantee you that our favourite tool is TINYpulse. This program makes it possible for us to feel more connected than everbefore. With miniature surveys inside the company we can know weekly or monthly suggestions, doubts or perhaps concerns that could be arising in the team.

For instance: 3 months ago there was a large change in the company directory, but we did not realize that the communicating we made to the company wasn’t very clear. Doubts began to grow about if this shift would also be at a general level (there would be layoffs or inner movements of personnel?) .

Thanks for this tool we were able to know about this issue in only a couple of days! And all of the doubts were explained helping all to come back to work at a normal way and without additional worries.”

14. Coffee for Energy

So a number of our HR contributors mentioned coffee as the 1 thing they could not live without. We concur. Make coffee available openly as among your worker perks. Here’s a sampling of the HR tools comments from the Society of Human Resources (SHRM) site, SHRM Connect:

COFFEE!! I cannot and won’t live with no morning or afternoon coffee!
— Kristen Fuhrer, HR Assistant

LOL!!! Coffee was my first thought also! The afternoon is really awful without it!
— Kristin Stanley, HR Manager

In all seriousness, coffee.If I don’t have it first thing, my day starts off fuzzy. It’s more of a routine which helps me get in the groove to undertake daily! Happily our office lately just set up a vending machine, it has been my very best buddy ever since!
— Ruth Sokol, HR Coordinator

Coffee is my medication (addiction), also. It fuels me.
–Ivette Dupuis, Adjunct Instructor

15. Accounting Software for Number Crunching

David Waring, Co-Founder, Fit Small Business

“One of my very best HR tools would be to get accounting software such as Quickbooks online and an experienced and reliable accountant who can answer off-the-wall payroll and taxation questions that my workers come up with. Accounting software is useful when I ask my accountant things like, how much are we spending on labor? A fantastic accountant using great software is essential to HR!”

HR tools and accounting applications work hand in hand when it comes to handling employee payroll data, worker reimbursement, and cost of benefits. As a small business operator, you’ll want to think about working with accounting software along with a Quickbooks Professional accountant or accounting service that has HR and payroll experience.

16. IRS, Government and Vendor Websites for Compliance

Cheryl Dick, HR, via LinkedIn

“One thing that I love as an HR Professional is access to updated legal compliance notifications and support from sellers and IRS, Government websites. Cannot imagine doing my work without timely and accurate notifications of compliance legislation affects .”

17. LinkedIn for accessibility into a Network of Professionals

KC Bradley, Sr.. HR Manager, Accenture

“For me it’s my [LinkedIn] network. The custom of HR is in such a transition phase right now moving from tactical transactions to strategic business partner. Using a strong network of educated professionals in all sizes and types or organizations provides access to a wealth of knowledge and enables me to better understand the current state and speed of change across different programs and processes.”

18. Society for Human Resources (SHRM) Website for Info

Melanie Veal, HR Director, Butler Metro Housing Authority

“If I don’t get [SHRM] on a daily basis I do this at least 1-2 times weekly for advice on coverages or keep abreast on issues that impact the workplace. Not to mention it’s the go-to place in communication with other HR professionals to gain insight or community ”

19. Break Room TV to Share Messages in Spanish

Christopher McDonough, Manager HR, Consolidated Packaging Group

“As an HR professional, I can’t live without the break room TV. The screen in the factory is the best approach to ensure important messages are conveyed (both in English and Spanish). Many factory employees do not have email accounts and many do not have a computer”

20. Namely HR Platform for Onboarding

Tina Philips, People Ops Manager, Kayako

“We love and utilize Notably as our HR stage . It contains our entire onboarding kit, and it has given new hires everything that they want to in one area. Besides getting the new hire’s critical info such as social security number, bank particulars, ID and work permits, next of kin details , the kit comprises:

• All business policies and processes
• The Kayako Code of Conductour firm FAQs and our Worth
• The list of perks and benefits available to employees
• Information on the referral scheme

All this gives new hires an chance to familiarize themselves with what they have to know, without needing to ask or dig for info. Typically, the new hire will access our HR platform around two weeks before connecting, leaving them enough time to also familiarize themselves with Who’s Who within the business as each team member gets their very own profile set up and an organizational chart is also easily available. Another thing accessible here would be the business vacations (often location specific) and tools to request time off”

It creates an effortless onboarding experience for me and the new employee that’s linking.”

21. Appointment Setting Calendar Software for Key Dates

Jennifer Weber, HR Assistant, Enertech Global LLC

“I understand what I have going on daily, who is out of the office, what encounters I have to attend, projects that need followup, etc.. I can plan days/weeks/months ahead.

It keeps me organized. I place reminders, such as; dates functionality reviews are expected, scheduled interviews, dates to conduct certain reports, payroll notes, and dates to register benefits for new hires, etc..”

22. Cell Phone and Email for Communication

Shelly Williams, HR Business Partner, American National Bank

“As an HR professional, the one thing I cannot live without is communicating. It affects all parts of my work and company relationships.”

23. Virtual Private Network (VPN) Access for Working Offsite

Keshia Martin SHRM-CP, Check Into Cash, Inc..

“My VPN access. I need to gain access to my business network at all times. This way I can use my smartphone or laptop when I’m not in the workplace and a problem arises.”

24. Private Space for Proof

Laura Handrick, SPHR, Fit Small Business

“A private office area, break room or meeting room is essential for HR due to the confidential and sensitive nature of employee questions and concerns.”

25. Bandaids for Paper Cuts

Gail Schoenenberger, HR, Lehigh Valley Engineering, through SHRM

“Can’t live without group aids….the paper cuts can be brutal!”

Buy Bandaids on Amazon