Six Powerful Ways HR Software Can Make Performance Reviews Less Painful

The concept of “free time” is an unfamiliar luxury for most small business owners — especially those who favor antiquated paper systems over modern HR software. From planning for the future to meeting ongoing goals to managing employee HR needs, your hands are constantly full.

Focusing time on issues that drive your business is, therefore, critically important. One way to ensure you spend more time on what matters most is using resources that help streamline your day.

For example, one area many small business owners put off until the last minute is performance reviews, especially ones where disciplinary issues are at hand.

Instead of rushing to assemble performance reviews — which tends to be rather inefficient — it’s best to contribute to an employee’s record throughout the year as important events occur.

If Only There Were a Way to Streamline the Performance Review Process

Fortunately, there is. Online performance reviews help you maximize efficiency throughout the year so you can be prepared when review time comes around. Here are six online performance review benefits that will help you put more time in your day:

Organization. One of the biggest advantages to any online HR resource is having all the information housed in one convenient location. You don’t have to worry about notes being misplaced or locating the right folder in the right filing cabinet. You simply select an employee’s name to track all relevant details like dates, times and notes.

Process. In the event there are disciplinary issues, having a clearly outlined procedure allows you to manage events with ease. You choose the type of discipline from a menu — warning, probation, suspension or termination — and simply document what happened. This allows you to build a history for employees who violate rules. Whenever you need to review behavior, you simply click on the employee’s name and everything documented in the past appears in order with concise details.

Consistency. With easy-to-use software, you’ll get in the habit of documenting events that will help you at review time. When an employee does something exemplary, document it the day it happens instead of trying to remember important contributions months later. And because performance management software is organized in a way that encourages documentation, you’ll be detailing events more frequently. No more searching for stray notes stuffed in folders!

Providing regular feedback — whether positive or negative — throughout the year is more impactful than delivering a message once a year at a performance review.

Security. In the event an employee challenges a negative performance review, you’ll find comfort knowing you’ve documented everything as it happened. If the employee pursues legal action, the consistent reporting you’ve accumulated within the software will go a long way in helping you present your case. Documentation is the most critical asset you have at your disposal in the event of legal action, so document often.

Productivity. When you let employees know you use performance management software to document positive and negative events, they’ll take notice. For your superstars, they’ll be aware that exemplary behavior is being documented, which will only encourage more of the same. They’ll also appreciate that you have a resource in place for documenting inappropriate behavior, too. When bad behavior isn’t corrected, your best employees will notice, and that’s a morale-buster. And if poor performers are aware their actions are documented, they may demonstrate improvement sooner rather than waiting until review day. Ongoing documentation and communication lead to more productivity across the board, freeing management up to handle more pressing tasks that drive profitability.

Opportunity. Frequently documenting desirable and undesirable actions will help you identify patterns and coach employees accordingly. Instead of surprises at review time, you can engage with employees throughout the year to set goals and help them develop into the productive and reliable contributors your business needs to thrive. When employees see that you’re trying to help them succeed, they’ll embrace opportunities to improve.

Take Advantage of a Proven Resource

The Progressive Discipline Smart App from HRdirect makes performance review management easy by streamlining the recordkeeping process. The app ensures consistency, creates an essential paper trail and protects businesses from possible legal disputes.

Detailing employee behavior clearly, consistently and legally benefits both you and your employees. You’ll be more efficient, and employees will know that you’re monitoring, supporting, correcting and guiding them.