How Digital Tools Can Optimize HR Management in Your Veterinary Practice

As a veterinarian, undertaking business operations such as human resources (HR) management may appear daunting at first glance.

You can make these functions less onerous by implementing technology. The very premise of technology is to enhance the quality of life, by making tasks easier.

The area of human resources management is no exception to this concept.

Human resources management is complex. It involves many responsibilities such as recruitment and talent acquisition, payroll, performance, benefits, and employee engagement.

There is a multitude of digital tools that can assist you in performing these tasks like a pro.

The American Animal Hospital Association (AAHA) published a study in which it was found that veterinary practices exhibiting a positive workplace culture can foster stronger financial results, increased employee productivity, and superior client service.

Further, a Bersin by Deloitte report found that businesses that upgrade their HR systems will experience cost savings of 22% per employee.

Make it a priority to find out which digital tools are available in each HR category to determine which ones would work best in your practice.

Which digital tools can help you in veterinary HR management?

The efficacy of strong recruiting methods enables a practice to entice top-level talent, which in turn, provides a competitive advantage and increased quality of services.

Accordingly, the application of recruiting software can assist a small business in streamlining the hiring process while augmenting the level of talent being brought in.

Recruiting software is designed to simplify the process of finding, hiring, and onboarding the right candidates.

The software eliminates the need for tedious manual efforts such as posting jobs or filtering through applicants.

Ideally, turnkey recruiting software will include HR tools for recruitment such as automated job posting, employee onboarding, candidate sourcing, interview scheduling, and application tracking.

When selecting the recruiting software that is right for your practice, it is important to consider variables such as price, features, and ease of use. Additionally, it is imperative to ensure the software is catered to small businesses, as software prices are based on the size of the organization.

Workable provides amazing value for small businesses, and Breezy HR offers some plans completely free of charge.

HRMS software is a single solution for integrating multiple core HR functions. While other software targets specific aspects of HR, such as recruiting or payroll, HRMS provides a single platform for all HR functions.

The primary benefit of HRMS software is its ability to address every HR task — providing a single software solution for an organization.

One aspect to consider is that HRMS acts as a multi-purpose tool, providing options for all HR-related functions, which makes it considerably less costly than buying separate software for each function and trying to integrate them.

is a great option in terms of delivering a single option for all HR needs at a good price, and maybe the best and only option required for a small business with modest HR requirements.

BambooHR and GoCo are great examples of HRMS for small businesses.

Performance management software is utilized to deliver predictive analytics tools for HR to assess and increase employee performance.

This software typically provides features such as employee check-ins, coaching, and evaluation, as well as automated services to track employee performance.

The primary function of this software is to provide employee performance data to assist in employee reviews and performance appraisals.

In terms of coaching and learning, the software allows employers to engage users with automated competency-based course assignments that track employee progress.

According to a survey by HR Dive, while 72% of managers believed they provided clear job descriptions, only 36% of applicants agreed.

Performance management software is efficient in generating data for managers to compose accurate job profiles and expectations. It also allows companies to create objectives that align with goals and missions.

Performance management software increases employee engagement by permitting direct recognition and feedback.

Many software options in this category also offer programs to use monetary rewards to motivate and encourage employees.

SAP SuccessFactors and Engagedly are some of the leading software options in this category.

Payroll software is specifically designed to focus on the payroll needs of your practice. This software automates the process of paying salaries while saving you the trouble of calculating withholdings of deductions such as taxes, insurance, and retirement contributions.

The software processes direct-deposit paychecks for employees and also allows them to view their pay stubs online.

Payroll software also allows payroll administrators to print checks for employees not enrolled in direct deposit.

Payroll software is generally simple to use and integrate into a company’s existing system.

In contrast to a paper-based payroll system, payroll software considerably reduces time and effort, as well as minimizes errors.

The software was designed to calculate taxes and other deductions.

Workday offers versions for those in the US, UK, Canada and France, while ADP has payroll services for over 120 countries.

A benefits administration software is applied to assist in the process of creating, managing, and updating employee benefits programs.

Paid time off, vacation days, retirement plans, health insurance, and parental leave are common benefits that companies offer.

A comprehensive benefits package is vital in attracting, as well as retaining, talent for your practice.

A 2019 report by MetLife found that half of all employees in an organization believe that better benefits are key to attracting and retaining top talent.

A further survey by Virgin Pulse found that 78% of businesses identify employee wellbeing as a critical part of their business plans.

A benefits administration software is effective in allowing one to manage and organize benefit structures to be competitive in the marketplace.

The software also provides employees a portal to access their benefits information, update information, and enroll in benefits programs.

In some countries, the federal government has employee safety and health information privacy laws that businesses must comply with. For instance, companies in the US have to comply with federal statutes such as the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA). Accordingly, benefits administration software ensures organizational compliance with government regulations.

Zenefits and Employee Navigator are some of the software options available for benefits administration.

Employee engagement software is integrated to retain employees and increase employee job satisfaction and morale.

According to a 2019 Annual State of Employee Communication and Engagement Study, Dynamic Signal found that 80% of the US workforce feels stressed due to ineffective company communication.

Additionally, a Gallup poll found that 85% of employees globally felt disengaged at work.

Consequently, employee engagement software is utilized to increase employee engagement and make them feel more valued and involved within an organization.

Components of this software include regular encouragement, feedback, competition, participation, learning, and social recognition.

Peakon and Motivosity are some of the platforms offering employee engagement solutions.

Technologies to make administrative duties easier should be applied in your practice.

Implementing HR software will allow your practice to upgrade HR processes and align with industry standards.

According to HR Technology Market 2019, 54% of companies were looking to increase their spending on HR technology, while 28% of small businesses were contemplating revamping their human resources management systems.

A study by ADP found that approximately 70% of small businesses’ HR processes were handled by the owner or an employee who had other primary responsibilities. Since key employees or veterinarians have to manage HR functions, the opportunity cost is great. The time that could be spent on revenue-generating tasks is spent performing administrative duties. In addition, the application of digital tools in HR management will enhance your practice with enhanced improvements, competitive advantages and HR practices adapt to current standards.

Improved human resources management systems will also offer your practice savings in cost over the long term.

Now that you have a better understanding of the importance of HR management software, it is essential to determine which tools are the best for your practice. The HR software processes you choose to implement in your practice need to be tailored to meet your practice’s requirements.

Variables such as the size of your practice, the total number of employees, and rate of growth should be considered in strategizing your HR management approach.

Whether several categories of HR software are useful for you, or a turnkey approach is sufficient, the data indicates that implementing technology in your HR management is the best way to go.