5 THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHEN LOOKING AT HR SOFTWARE

HR software goes by many names, it could be a HRMS (Human Resource Management System) or HRIS (Human Resource Information System). We most commonly see the software referred to as Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) and have dramatically changed the landscape of recruitment.

These systems can improve the daily tasks of recruiting, screening, onboarding and more. There are many different ATS options available to organizations. It’s hard to choose the best option for you and your team. Oftentimes, the Human Resources teams will work with different proposals, processes and sales calls to find the right fit. After an ATS is chosen HR will think of all of the other pieces that need to work with it, leaving the background screening to the end.

Wait! You should partner with your Consumer Reporting Agency (CRA) in the initial conversations. CRAs or background screening companies host their services on a platform. This platform would need to integrate with the ATS platform to make the two pieces work together. Not all platforms will connect. This process can be complex and does not always go as planned.

Considerations

First, consider if you are wanting to use the screening portion of the ATS and if it can connect with your CRA. There are sometimes additional costs that can be associated with the additional ATS integrations. Some CRAs already have ATS solutions available with fewer customization requirements and standard integration features. CRAs may also have less expensive solutions if integration is not what you are looking for.

See: Automating Your Background Screening Process

It is detrimental to all the work put in by the HR team if they need to either work on another integration piece for their screening company or simply cannot use their CRA of choice. Your CRA may even have an ATS they prefer to work with.

ATS options do not need to follow the Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requirements. Therefore, this leaves HR teams collecting separate disclosure and authorization forms apart from the typical forms signed in the application system. Many ATS services do not collect all PII information that is required for a criminal screen. This includes social security number and date of birth. You will want to understand how this information can be collected, proper FCRA forms signed and if the signature on necessary documents is e-sign compliant before selecting your ATS.

When looking into new features in your onboarding process, follow these simple steps.

1. Include your CRA in at the beginning of an ATS solution.
2. Understand additional costs to an integration could occur.
3. Recognize there could be a better option available to you.
4. Ensure your ATS/CRA can work together to remove a lot of the “paperwork” process your HR team has now.
5. Set yourself up for success by giving your team plenty of time to make the process flow smoothly.