Managing a growing business is no small feat. From payroll to hiring, it all adds up—taking time out of your day. And while technology can help, investing in the wrong tools can be just as costly as sticking with outdated, manual HR processes.
So, how do you make sure you’re spending wisely? The key is knowing what to automate, what support you’ll need, and what will actually save time and money in the long run.
Why Manual HR Processes Are Holding You Back
Small businesses often stick with manual processes because it’s what they know. But as things get busier, those methods can start to hold them back, causing problems like:
- Lost time: Business owners spend an average of 21 days per year on payroll and HR tasks. That’s nearly a month that could be used to grow the business instead.
- Costly mistakes: Payroll errors, tax miscalculations, or legal missteps can lead to fines, frustrated employees, and extra work to fix the issue. A recent study by the Internal Revenue Service found that 33% of employers make payroll errors each year, resulting in billions of dollars in edits and amendments.
- Lack of visibility: As teams grow, tracking employee data, schedules, and benefits in spreadsheets or separate systems makes it harder to monitor performance and stay organized.
Eventually, the time and energy manual processes take just aren’t worth it. So what can automation actually take off your plate—and where should you still stay hands-on?
The Real Benefits—and Limits—of Automating Your HR Processes
Not every task needs a high-tech solution, but certain HR functions are perfect for automation because they’re repetitive and prone to human error.
Areas where automation can make the biggest difference include:
- Payroll processing – Automate payments, tax filings, and direct deposits.
- Time tracking & scheduling – Reduce errors and make shift management easier.
- Employee onboarding – Simplify paperwork and get new hires up to speed faster.
- Benefits administration – Automate enrollments and updates.
- Compliance & reporting – Reduce risks by staying ahead of changing labor laws
- Performance management – Keep employee evaluations organized and track progress.
- Employee self-service – Give employees access to update their info and do tasks such as requesting time off without HR intervention.
However, investing in an HR platform isn’t a magic fix for everything. Some businesses overbuy—opting for complex systems with features they’ll never use—while others underbuy, choosing bare-bones tools that don’t solve their real problems. The key is knowing what you actually need.
Avoiding Common Mistakes When Investing in an HR Platform
Start by identifying bottlenecks. Look at your current HR workload and figure out where most of your time is being spent. Will the platform you choose allow you to complete those tasks more efficiently?
Choose a system that can grow with you. Does the platform have any limitations if you hire more employees? Also, if you use certain apps for processes such as benefits or onboarding, does the platform easily integrate with them?
Consider the learning curve. A system with great features isn’t helpful if it’s too complicated to use. Ask questions and do a test-drive to make sure you’re buying a user-friendly platform that includes the right amount of training and customer support to get your employees comfortable using it.
Don’t forget the human element. For some businesses, a lower-cost option with limited live support is the right choice—it gets the job done without extra bells and whistles. But if you think you might need more guidance, it’s worth considering the advantages of engaging with a provider that offers both an efficient platform and dedicated customer support. Having expert help can save you time and ensure you’re getting the most out of the platform you purchased. While it may be a bigger investment upfront, the right support can pay off in the long run by freeing you to focus on scaling your business.
Commonwealth Payroll & HR Can Help You Find the Right Balance
At Commonwealth Payroll & HR, our niche is helping small to medium businesses employ payroll & HR solutions that suit their specific needs. What sets our clients up for success isn’t just the tools—it’s the human support that comes with it. If you’re spending too much time on daily manual operational processes—or worried that your current system isn’t keeping up with your growth—it might be time to explore your options. The right HR platform should make your life easier, not harder. Want to find out if we can help save you valuable time? Let’s chat—no pressure, just expert guidance to help you make the best decision for your business.
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