6 Components of Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS)
A human resource information system (HRIS) is a software package developed to aid human resources professionals in managing data. Human resource professionals utilize these systems to facilitate work flow, improve efficiency and store and collect information. Several companies offer HRIS packages to employers. HRIS packages can be customized to the specific needs and requirements of the employer.
Explained below are the various components of the HRIS.
1. Database
HRIS core offering includes a database to store employee information. HR professionals can input all personnel data into the system which can be accessed from anywhere, round the clock. Types of data that HR professionals collect in the database include compensation history, emergency contact information, and performance review. The core database can also be viewed as an online backup for paper files.
2. Time and Labour Management
Activities like time and labour management can highly time consuming. HRIS package allows employees to input their own hours worked and allows managers to immediately verify vacation requests, and the data is directly fed to the payroll. Time and labour management also improves the HR department’s ability to track punctuality and attendance.
3. Payroll Function
Payroll function is yet another major component of a HRIS model. HR can easily download or unload employee hours, and issue cheques or payroll deposits to employees. Salaried employees can also be paid with substantially reduced risk of errors. The HRIS payroll software usually improve tax compliance for locations with multiple tax levels.
4. Benefits
Some HRIS employers allow employers to establish and maintain medical benefits and retirement investments through their software. Such applications allow employers to have one-stop shopping experience for all their human resources data management needs. Other HRIS packages facilitate medical benefits and retirement investment deductions for payroll but not the establishment of those benefits.
5. Employee Interface
Most HRIS packages allow for an employee to have limited user access. Employee users access a part of the database where they can update their personal information, review pay scales, change retirement benefit programs, update direct deposit information or download benefit election documents.
6. Recruitment and Retention
Finally, it can be said that recruitment and retention are the most important components of HRIS. It goes without saying that it is the anchor of all HR policies and systems. Finding new talent, acquiring them, keeping them engaged and finally being able to retain them are the major task of a HR person. HRs also have to ensure that employees are not only able to do their work, but they are also provided with the required training; receives proper compensation and benefits from the organization.
Author Bio: A digital media professional, Sampurna Majumder has been lending her expertise by penning articles and blog posts on jobs, career, HR trends and the recruitment industry.
