Leveraging HR Tech to Improve Efficiency and Save Money in Hospitality
Investing in new technologies can be expensive in both time and money. Especially for the smaller hospitality businesses out there, we see you. Back in 2017, research by Sage found that Aussie small-to-medium businesses were spending around 81 days a year just on admin tasks like payroll, scheduling, and chasing invoices. Yep, that’s almost three whole months of your year, gone to the paperwork pile.
So, how can leveraging HR tech improve your efficiency and cut costs? Let’s jump straight in.
Why HR Tech is a Game-Changer in Hospitality
Running any business is tough, but in hospitality, it can feel like there’s always something more to juggle. Schedules, payroll, training, last-minute shift changes, and the chaos of peak seasons. HR tech helps streamline all of this, so you can stay on top of the details and focus on taking care of your team.
Automate the Admin
Things like payroll, leave requests, and scheduling can take up a lot of time. HR tech steps in here, automating a lot of these tasks so you don’t have to do them manually. Less time spent on admin means more time spent making your venue amazing.
Smarter Hiring and Onboarding
We all know how tricky hiring can be, especially in hospitality. HR tech can make the whole process quicker and more efficient. From posting job ads to reviewing applications to scheduling interviews, it can all be done digitally.
Check your Employees are Happy
Keeping your team engaged and happy should always be number 1. HR tech lets you track employee satisfaction, gather feedback, and even set performance goals. It’s like having a pulse on how your team is feeling without needing to chase them down.
Save Money
Let’s face it, running a business is expensive. But HR tech can help cut costs in a big way. By automating tasks and reducing the time spent on manual work, you’ll save on admin costs. Plus, with better employee management (think less turnover and fewer mistakes), you’ll save on recruitment and training too. Huge win!
Key Hospitality Tech Trends to Know
Technology is always changing, and keeping up can be a challenge. HR tech is no different. Here are a few trends that are currently shaping the hospitality industry:
Cloud-Based HR Solutions
More businesses are moving to the cloud, and for good reason. Cloud-based HR tools allow you to access everything from anywhere, whether you’re at work or on the go. You can manage scheduling, payroll, and even employee records from your phone or laptop, which is pretty handy if you’ve got multiple venues.
Digital HR platforms (aka Sidekicker)
Digital platforms like Sidekicker are changing the game for hospitality businesses. Instead of juggling a million spreadsheets or chasing up availability via text, platforms like ours make it easy to find, manage, and track casual staff in one place. You can post shifts, check ratings, approve hours, and even track performance, all from your phone. Plus, 90% of jobs are filled within 1 hour, so you can get help fast.
AI and Data Analytics
AI and data are becoming super important in HR tech. With predictive analytics, you can make smarter hiring decisions, track performance, and predict staffing needs. AI can also automate some of the more tedious tasks, like scheduling, and even provide real-time feedback on employee performance.
Employee Wellness Programs
HR tech can also be about taking care of your team. More and more, businesses are investing in wellness programs, whether it’s mental health support or fitness initiatives. HR tech can help track these programs and encourage employee well-being, which ultimately leads to happier, healthier staff and less absenteeism.
How to Start Using HR Tech in Your Hospitality Business
If you’re wondering how to bring HR tech into your business without it being overwhelming, here are a few simple steps:
Figure Out What You Need
Are you struggling with rosters? Or maybe it’s keeping track of paperwords? Identify the areas where you could use some help, and look for HR tech tools that can solve those problems.
Pick the Right Tools for You
HR tech isn’t one-size-fits-all. There are tonnes of tools out there, from payroll software to employee management systems. Find one that fits your needs and your budget. You don’t need to invest in everything right away; start with the basics and build up as you go.
Get the Team Onboard
Once you’ve got your tech in place, make sure your team is on board. Show them how to use the new tools and make it easy for them to get started. The more comfortable everyone is with the tech, the smoother everything will go.
Review and Adjust
After you’ve implemented HR tech, take some time to see how it’s working. Is it saving time? Is the team using it? Look at the results, get feedback from your staff, and make any adjustments as needed.
The Real Impact
So, what does all this HR tech actually do for your hospitality business in the real world? Let’s break it down together.
You’ll Save Hours Every Week
Between manually filling rosters, chasing availability, and processing timesheets, it’s easy to lose hours (or even days) each week just keeping things afloat. Digital HR tools streamline those jobs. Platforms like Sidekicker mean you can build your schedule with a few taps and get instant visibility into who’s available. No more last-minute scrambles.
You’ll Make Smarter Business Decisions
When everything’s digital, you’re not just flying blind. You’ll have access to actual data, like which team members consistently get good reviews, which shifts are understaffed, or where most of your labour costs are going. You can finally make decisions based on facts, not just gut feelings.
You’ll Be More Resilient During Busy (or Chaotic) Periods
Whether it’s the holiday rush or flu season hitting hard, digital HR tools give you flexibility. Need to fill five shifts by tomorrow morning? With Sidekicker, 90% of jobs are filled within the hour. That’s the kind of backup every hospitality manager dreams of.
How Sidekicker’s HR Tech Helps You Save Money
Staffing costs can add up quickly, but with Sidekicker, you can keep those expenses in check.
- Save Up to 50% on Agency Fees
Traditional staffing agencies charge hefty fees, but with Sidekicker, you can save up to 50% compared to agency rates, keeping more in your pocket.
- No Recruitment Costs
Skip the expensive recruitment fees. Sidekicker gives you access to a pool of pre-vetted, reliable workers, so you only pay for what you need.
- Reduce Admin Time
Managing shifts, approvals, and performance is a breeze with our platform. Less admin time means less money spent on payroll processing.
- Pay for What You Use
With Sidekicker, you only pay for hours worked, ensuring you’re not overpaying for unproductive shifts.
At the end of the day, hospitality is all about people, and when your people are supported, everything just works better. HR tech isn’t just for the big players with endless budgets. It’s for the busy venues trying to keep things running smoothly while still delivering the same great service.
That’s exactly where Sidekicker comes in. We take care of the admin, help you make smarter staffing decisions, and give you instant visibility into performance, so you can focus on running a venue your team (and your customers) love.
