What To Look for In an Employee Self-Service (ESS)

Nearly half of finance execs think self-service data and analytics are the golden ticket to boosting employee productivity.

And they’re not wrong. In today’s workplace, employee self-service (ESS) is the unsung hero of HR, simplifying processes and giving your team the freedom to get the info they need, fast. Without it, HR is swamped, and that just means everyone’s waiting in line.

But with BambooHR, you’re not just getting an ESS system—you're getting a whole lot more. From managing personal details to checking up on benefits and time off, your team can do it all with a few clicks. Ready to see how we can make ESS work for you?

In this article, we explore what to look for in an ESS system and how to pick the one that’s right for you.

What is an ESS?

Employee self-service is a nifty tech tool that empowers your team to view and manage job-related and personal info, all on their own. They won’t need to bug HR with every little update, from their emergency contact to their latest vacation request.

Most ESS platforms give employees access to some (or all) of the following features:

• Payroll: allows employees to view pay statements or access tax information.
• Time and attendance: allows employees to clock in and clock out or manage their PTO.
• Benefits: where employees can view and enroll in company benefits.
• Company information: allows employees to keep up to date with the latest company news.
• Employee data: provides employees the opportunity to review and edit their contact information or change their log-in details.

With ESS, accessing what employees need is simple: a few clicks on the company intranet, and they’re good to go.

Why use ESS software?

ESS software can offer multiple benefits not only for employees, but your HR teams, too. Here are some of the key reasons you might want to implement employee self-service software in your business.

Streamline HR processes

Employee self-service is like having a virtual HR assistant in your pocket. The beauty of it all is that when your people can handle things solo, your HR team has the space to jump in at the crucial moments. Think about open enrollment season: with employees empowered to select their benefits independently, HR is then freed up to provide personalized assistance to those with specific questions or needs.

Reduce admin time

Employee self-service enables staff to handle work-related tasks and frees your HR team to focus on big-picture stuff. When staff can tackle these tasks on their own—from checking benefits deductions to viewing outstanding trainings—it’s a win-win. Less hassle for HR, and more time for what really matters.

Foster a positive work culture

Giving your people more autonomy and more control over their information contributes to a positive work culture. For example, workers can view their pay stubs through a payroll self-service portal whenever they like, easily request time off and enroll in company benefits. This can be especially useful for new hires, providing easy access to all the important information they need in once place.

Employee self-service features

Before you dive in, consider which type of software fits your company's needs. There are several types of employee self-service portals available. These include:

• Training portals: Provide employees with easy access to knowledge sharing and allow them to complete relevant training.
• Communication and collaboration: Can be used for internal communications and company announcements. These can be particularly useful for global businesses who have offices across the world.
• Administrative tasks: This ESS portal system is focused on admin tasks such as employee contracts, payroll and benefits.
• Workload management and scheduling: Can help with effective time-tracking and payroll operations.
• End-to-end employee management: Encompasses all the features above and more and can be adapted to the specific needs of your organization or industry. These types of ESS portal systems can also include a range of helpful resources for HR professionals and managers.

You’ve got a few options, from basic systems to more sophisticated ones.

What to look for in ESS software

With many ESS portal systems available, it’s worth taking the time to request demos and test out different products to get a feel for how the system would work for you on the day-to-day. Remember to include key stakeholders who’ll use the system when possible.

When reviewing your options, check in with yourself regularly about whether the product is right for you in the big-picture. You might ask:

• How much time would this self-service platform save us?
• Does this system integrate seamlessly with our existing HR software?
• Are the features we want most included?
• Is this employee self-service platform designed for a company our size, and can it scale as we grow?

Don’t forget to evaluate the nitty-gritty, too:

• In what ways does this product align with our business goals?
• How easy is it for employees to access and navigate the system?
• Is this the most cost-effective system for our needs?

*Remember, there are hard costs and the costs of time and effort. Don’t forget about subscription costs and any additional expenses such as ongoing maintenance, support and potential upgrades.

Set your HR team free to do great work

Give your HR team the gift of time by empowering your employees to manage some of their own data on an ESS. BambooHR is the complete HR platform for everything from hiring and onboarding to payroll, time, and benefits. Save time on administrative tasks and empower your staff members to manage their own workplace records.