Mobile Payroll Applications: Are You Ready to Embrace the Change?

Self-service has been an integral part of Human Resource Management Systems (HRMS) for a while now – it allows employees to view and edit scheduling information and accruals without having to go through their managers.

But while there are many benefits that come from giving employees more flexibility to view and handle their payroll and benefits, advancing technologies have made it evident that self-service HRMS must adapt as well.

That’s why the past few years have seen the rise of mobile self-service apps for payroll and benefits that allow employees to have complete control over their paychecks no matter where they might be.

But despite the numerous benefits, there are still those who are skeptical about the widespread implementation of mobile payroll applications.

There are a few concerns that have slowed down the advance of mobile self-service apps which have made the adaptation a bit slower than initially anticipated about five years ago.

Mobile payroll brings a long list of features that allow to view payslips online, edit direct deposit details, monitor 401(k) plans, enroll in benefits programs, review deductions, and update personal information, all from one app. However, there are potential issues associated with the transition to mobile, which have to be acknowledged.

The biggest concern about mobile HR apps is their security – protecting data being accessed or downloaded through a smartphone is much more challenging than when accessing from a single computer.

But while security issues can never be ignored, the truth is that the risk of using a mobile device doesn’t really increase security risks when compared to accessing a self-service dashboard from a personal desktop computer, which is what most self-service payroll solutions offer anyway.

Another aspect of mobile HR solutions that is criticized by some is the fact that they do not offer any significant new features – all the basic functionality that was available on the desktop is now simply transferred to mobile, which has made some experts label the self-service app boom as “overhyped.

However, while there is some truth that the functionality is more or less similar (although not entirely), the main benefit is pretty obvious and is strong enough on its own to make the switch to mobile worth it.

The ability to access your payroll or benefits on the go from your phone can make the process much easier for employees, who need to quickly update their information or make scheduling changes, and for managers, who can also access the system from a mobile device and confirm changes with a push of a button.

So while some companies are hesitant to implement mobile payroll applications, the concerns are mostly unfounded.

However, is a switch to mobile self-service apps worth it? Well, here are a few benefits that make a strong case.

There are numerous benefits of mobile self-service applications that extend far beyond the convenience that accessibility from a mobile device can provide.

Here are a few that really stand out:

While this is a recurring theme throughout the article, the convenience of mobile payroll apps is simply too big of a benefit not to mention again.

It enables employees to take complete control over numerous payroll, benefits, and scheduling aspects from the comfort of their mobile device.

Having access to your essential information and being able to make changes with a push of a button can make the life of employees and managers much easier, allowing to make timely adjustments and to save time.

The convenience of mobile payroll applications can significantly contribute to improved communications across the entire company, from the employees to the managers.

Because the system is available instantly to everyone at the company, it can help reduce the vertical flow of information and allow each employee to contribute helpful suggestions which result in improvements across the company.

What’s more, any suggestions or changes can be suggested by employees and approved by managers in mere seconds, which can streamline processes such as shift changing or scheduling.

Finally, self-service mobile payroll allows employees to take care of many administrative payroll and benefits tasks on their own – with the help of mobile payroll apps, it becomes easier to manage benefits programs, update information, and access online payslips without the need of interaction with their managers.

Eliminating the need for managers to handle many of the administrative tasks frees up their time and allows payroll staff to focus more attention on bigger picture issues such as strategy.

What’s more, mobile payroll apps further eliminate the need for paper documents and payslips, allowing companies to save thousands of dollars per year on paper and printing expenses.

Mobile Apps Are the Logical Evolution of Payroll

Mobile apps are taking over many aspects of running a business, and HRMS is no exception.

Today’s mobile payroll apps can offer unparalleled accessibility, ease of use, and can greatly contribute to both employee satisfaction and overall efficiency of the company.

So while some businesses may still be hesitant about adopting mobile payroll applications, the numerous benefits that they can offer make it clear that it’s only a matter of time until this trend becomes too compelling to ignore.

Ed Hinschen is the CEO of Roubler. With over 10 years’ experience at a Senior / Executive Management level within fast-paced, innovative environments across HR Workforce Management. Ed is a passionate business leader with a strong focus on people, continual improvement, sustainable growth & innovation. Ed also has a Bachelor Degree in Business Management and a Masters in Business Administration.