The Friday Tip - page 5
Once a week we highlight some unique and useful functionality provided by the People Inc. system and send out a related 'tip'. Our aim is to help customers get more from using their People Inc. system.
Thank you for your support
31st December 2021
As another year draws to a close we would like to extend our thanks to everybody who has provided us with help and support over the past 12 months.
While we all had significant challenges to overcome in 2021, we enjoyed another successful year here at P&A Software Solutions. This would not have been possible without the support of our loyal clients, our software partners, our suppliers and of course, the People Inc. team here in Milton Keynes.
Many thanks to you all, and best wishes for the New Year. We hope that 2022 brings you good heath and happiness.
A Festive Theme
24th December 2021
People Inc. users can update the way the system screens are displayed using a library of pre-defined themes. To help you get you into a festive mood, one of these themes uses ribbons, snowmen and even some snow to create a seasonal look and feel for your system.
The People Inc. themes are accessed from one of the mini-buttons at the very top of the screen (on the left-hand side). When you return to work in next year, why not choose a fresh new theme to brighten-up your system?
Wishing you all a well-earned relaxing festive break - from the team here at People Inc.
Contacting us during the holiday period
17th December 2021
Our plans for helpdesk cover over the festive period is as follows:
- We will be open for business until Thursday 23rd December
- On 24th December the office will be closed
- The 27th and 28th December are bank holidays; the office will be closed
- From 29th to 31st December, our help-desk will be available via e-mail
- The 3rd January is a bank holiday and the office will be closed
- A full help-desk support service will resume on Tuesday 4th January
Please contact us if you need to make any special arrangements for support during this period.
HR Calculators and Tools
10th December 2021
We now have a section of our website dedicated to HR calculators. These calculators are designed to help in a variety of different areas. For example there are calculators to work out what your staff turnover rate is, one to calculate an employee's leave entitlement, and another to calculate the Bradford factor.
In addition to this, there are also some online HR tools available in this section of the website. For example, there is a tool that will help you build an organisation chart, and another to help build a training matrix.
Click here to access the calculators (and tools): HR Calculators and Tools
Managing Carry Over
3rd December 2021
With the disruption caused by the pandemic, many employees have not been able to use all of their holiday allowance. As a result, the rules associated with the carryover of unused leave have been updated.
People Inc. provides functionality to manage the carry-over of unused leave. Settings within the holiday rules screen automate the carryover process. Note that when the maximum limit for the number of days carried over is changed, care should be taken to ensure that allowance from previous (unaffected) years are closed first.
Carry over can also be managed by adding entries to the additional leave screen within the system
Time & Attendance in 2022
26th November 2021
At around this time of year, customers who use the People Inc. time module need to think about setting their system set up for 2022.
- Shifts and shift-patterns need to be set up for the coming months (or perhaps for the whole of 2022). To save time, it is of course possible to copy the shift-pattern from 2021.
- Pay periods for 2022 need to be added to the system. There is a Wizard that makes this a quick and easy task. Pay period definitions are needed when extracting information for payroll (and are also used in reports).
- You will also need to take all of the steps required for at year end to manage absence. These steps have been detailed in the last 4 or 5 Friday Tips. More details on the steps taken at absence year-end are provided in this guide: Absence Year End
Christmas Shut-down
19th November 2021
It is commonplace for organisations to agree a shutdown period over the Christmas break or give employees an extra day off for 'Christmas shopping'. There are several ways to manage this within People Inc.
The additional days may (or may not) be deducted from holiday allowances. In both cases, the block-booking Wizard can be used to record the absence records. If the additional time is over-and-above regular leave allowances, it can be added using the Additional Leave feature, as a statutory holiday, or as regular bookings under a separate absence category.
More information about managing absence at year-end is available in this guide: Absence Year End
Staffing over the Festive Break
12th November 2021
People Inc. provides several ways to see who is providing cover over the Christmas and New Year period.
- There are two absence calendars available within the system. These show individual and team views of employee holidays.
- The ESS calendar tool shows shift patterns (People Inc. time), holiday bookings, and details of an other absence records.
- The People Inc. Employee Directory gives a day-to-day, colour-coded indication of availability for each member of staff.
More information about managing absence at year-end is available in this guide: Absence Year End
Ready for next year?
5th November 2021
If your holiday year runs from January to December, you need to check that you have created holiday allowances for next year. There is a wizard designed to do this for you (it replicates holiday allowances year on year, automatically adding days where allowances increase with service). The wizard only takes a few moments to run.
In addition to this, you may also need to add in Bank Holidays for next year, making sure you remember Friday 3rd June, added to mark The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee. And if your employees book their holidays via the ESS, you will need to open up the holiday calendars for 2022.
Unused Leave
29th October 2021
As December and the festive break approaches, it is an ideal time to contact staff ask about their holiday plans for the rest of the year. Where staff have not used all of their entitlement this will help to avoid a flood of holiday bookings (and staff cover issues) in December.
All of this information is available within the system and there are some really useful summary reports that can help manage these activities.
With the disruption caused by the pandemic, and the changes to carry-over rules, employees may still have holiday left to take, and they will be looking for guidance on the options now open to them. The ESS News feature provides an ideal way to communicate this information.
Absence Year-End
22nd October 2021
There are a number of important absence-related task that need to be scheduled at around this time of year. These include:
- A review of unused leave (to avoid a flood of bookings in December)
- Agree and communicate any changes to rules on carry-over of leave
- Add 2022 allowances and bank holidays (including Friday 3rd June)
- Manage shutdown and staff availability during the festive break
- Reconcile and close 2021 holiday allowances (and review carry over)
There are some additional things to think about if you use People Inc. time (our Time & Attendance module).
More information about this process: Absence Year End
Succession Planning
15th October 2021
Succession planning is a useful tool that can help to manage change within an organisation. It helps to minimise the impact when key staff move on, it helps when changes are needed within the organisation’s structure, and it is an effective way to motivate staff (as part of their career planning).
Ensuring that successors are identified for key roles within the organisation has several clear benefits. It will provide continuity by ensuring that a successor is available when individuals leave. It will make it possible to highlight shortcoming successors have (based on competency definitions). Planning for possible future roles with employees provides individuals with a goal and with motivation to develop themselves.
For more information on competency management, click here.
Talent Mapping
8th October 2021
Talent Mapping is used to identify and promote the skills, knowledge, experience, and qualifications (competencies) that will be required by an organisation to achieve both short-term and long-term goals. It identifies weaknesses within the current workforce and will help to nurture the talent the organisation will need in the future. It will also identify members of staff who are likely to be key to the development of the organisation.
Within a Talent Management program, particular focus is usually given to recruitment. Where the recruitment of staff is linked to a particular set of competencies, as time progresses and more employees join, the strength of these competencies across the workforce will increase.
For more information on competency management, click here.
Mentors and Shadowing
1st October 2021
Assigning a mentor is a powerful tool that can be used to help with staff development. A mentor can provide advice and guidance and look to develop particular skills. Where a mentor is needed to help develop a particular competency (or a mix of competencies), the People Inc. system can be used to identify staff who can become mentors.
In addition to working with a mentor, it may be beneficial to offer some employees the opportunity to shadow another member of staff (somebody working in a role they are interested in). Shadowing, even for a short period of time, can give an employee a much better understanding of the role and what it entails.
For more information about competencies, read this guide: Competency Management.
Career Planning
24th September 2021
Working with employees to devise a career plan can have a beneficial effect on motivation, focus and productivity. Agreeing a career plan with employees can help to retain staff and build a positive working environment. With a career plan in place, both the organisation and the individual can look to build their competencies to match those required for their next job.
Competencies can also be used to find possible future roles for employees. If an employee already has a number of the competencies required for a particular role, this could suggest it is a job they could do at some point in the future.
For more information on competency management, click here.
Training Needs
17th September 2021
Where the agreed approach to closing the skills gap is to provide training, details of these training needs can be recorded and managed within People Inc. Several tools are available within the system designed to ensure training needs are met. These include the training matrix plug-in, and the wizards designed to manage training in bulk.
Training needs can be managed from the perspective of the course (a list of delegates), or employee by employee (a personal development plan). When training needs have been met, the system automatically retains a full training history. Once again, this can be accesses by viewing a course, or by employee.
For more information on competency management, click here.
Skills Gap Analysis
10th September 2021
Having defined the competencies that a job requires, and having assessed employees working in that role, it is then possible to analyse the information to show the skills gap that exists. The gap might include competencies individuals do not possess (or for which they have not yet been assessed), or competencies they do have, but not at a sufficiently high level.
A skills gap analysis will give an indication of the areas where there is a shortfall in the level of competence. It will then be possible to put a plan in place to addresses this. The plan may include development activities, a reorganisation within the team, a change to some of the roles/responsibilities, or the recruitment of new staff.
For more information on competency management, click here.
Examples of Competencies
3rd September 2021
A competency framework might cover a variety of areas:
- Competencies aligned with the organisation’s current values and goals. These competencies will usually apply to all employees.
- Management or leadership competencies, for example, strategic awareness, supervising employees and project management.
- Role specific competencies that apply mainly to particular jobs (or categories of job) or a within the organisation.
- Technical competencies that define the expertise and knowledge associated with an activity, product or process.
- Competencies that relate to the strategic direction the organisation is taking. This can be used to help to build strength in these areas.
For more information on competency management, click here.
Managing Competencies
27th August 2021
It is possible to define a library of competencies and record details of competencies against individual employee records using the People Inc system. This is designed to provide the basis for a competency management programme. The management of competencies is an optional feature within People Inc.
Competency management can provide a range of benefits for both the individual and the organisation. It can be used to ensure that staff have the attributes needed to perform in their current role. Focus can be given to career planning and development using competencies. Competencies can also be used for talent mapping and succession planning.
For more information on competency management, click here.
Ideas and Suggestions
20th August 2021
There are many ways to engage with employees and encourage them to make more of a contribution at work. Inclusive organisations are always looking to improve communication with employees and help them feel they are part of the team.
Publishing forms using the Employee Self-Service module is an effective way to reach out to employees. An ideas and suggestions form will take no more than an hour to add to the People Inc. system. The form can then be completed from a PC or mobile phone, the entries reviewed and actioned, and feedback provided.
For more information on managing ideas and suggestions, click here.
Accident at Work
13th August 2021
When an accident occurs, details of the incident need to be recorded (and the accident may need to be reported). Keeping comprehensive records also helps to identify where and how risks arise, put measure in place to avoid further incidents, and establish whether or not an accident need to be investigated.
Often when there is an accident at work, recording information about the incident is the last thing people think about. It may be some time before an accident form is completed. The longer the delay, the more difficult it is to provide accurate details.
For more information on adding an Accident Reporting form, click here.
Online Appraisals
6th August 2021
Line managers can add information relating to staff appraisals (and attach copies of any related documents) using the People Inc ESS system.
The People Inc. Appraisal History screen can also be adapted so that it matches the organisation's appraisal form. This form can then be completed by the employee and their line manager. The details are automatically recorded within the system and can then be reviewed by HR.
From the standard system console it is easy to monitor progress and check on the status of appraisals. It is also possible to analyse the information recorded via the appraisal form using reports.
For more information on custom appraisal forms, click here.
Training Feedback
30th July 2021
Individuals can submit requests using customisable Employee Self-Service forms. For example, staff are asked to fill out evaluation forms when they complete training courses. This helps to establish out how effective the training has been. It will also:
- Save paper (and solve the missing e-mail conundrum)
- Ensure feedback on training courses is collected
- Give employees the opportunity to identify missing training records
- Ensure a full evaluation/analysis of training that has been undertaken
- Ensure that any training-related shortcomings are addressed
- Highlight missing evaluation forms
For more information on adding a training evaluation form, click here.
Managing Training records in Bulk
23rd July 2021
The Assign Training Need wizard is used to record training needs for a group of employees. This is useful when some new legislation is introduced, or a new product or service is launched.
A group of employees can be booked onto a course using the Book Training Course wizard. When booking training, the user can select from all employees, or just the employees who have a training need for the course.
The Complete Training Course wizard updates records for employees who are booked onto a course (or those who have a training need for the course), and mark the records as ‘Completed’.
Click here for more details of the training management wizards.
Training Courses
16th July 2021
People Inc. allows users to manage training records in two different ways: from the perspective of the employee (their training history) or from the perspective of the course (a list of delegates attending an event).
If training is managed by course, it is then possible to list those who have a particular training need, schedule training sessions, look after course-related activities (book rooms, liaise with the trainer, etc.) invite attendees (generate invitations and course material) and monitor follow up activities (review course evaluation/feedback, etc.). When staff are booked on courses, the system keeps their training history up-to-date automatically.
Click here for more on training management.
CPE/CPD and Training Budgets
9th July 2021
People Inc. keeps a running total of ‘points’ that are associated with training undertaken by employees. Points can be designated as ‘structured’ or ‘unstructured’ and annual totals are maintained for each category.
Each employee can have a CPE/CPD record for a particular year. Users can record a target number of structured and un-structured points, and a budget within these records. When structured or unstructured points and training costs are added to training records, totals for these figures are recorded in the CPE/CPD record for the appropriate year.
Departmental training budgets can also be managed within People Inc. (using a custom screen). This enables users to set and manage the spend on training year on year and generate financial reports.
Managing Training Needs
2nd July 2021
When staff training needs are identified (during a review or appraisal for example), they can be recorded and managed within People Inc.
Training needs can also be recorded for groups of employees (this might be associated with a new product, a piece of equipment, or a new process) and People Inc. automatically generates training needs when training expires.
A list of mandatory training courses can be associated with each job or role. When an employee takes on a new job, the system will check their training records, and then automatically generate training needs using these lists.
Employees with a particular training need can be booked onto a course and once completed, their training records are automatically updated.
Recording Details of Staff Training
25th June 2021
The optional People Inc. Training Registration feature provides a quick and easy way to record details of staff training activities. This practical tool helps ensure that your training records are both comprehensive and up to date.
While line-managers can use the feature to add both training needs and details of completed training for their team, individual employees are also able to record details of training they have completed.
Within People Inc. the tool is used for bulk entry of training details.
The Training Registration feature is part of the library of optional tools available via the People Inc. Features Browser plug-in.
Training Records Managed in a Matrix
18th June 2021
The People Inc. Training Matrix feature provides an overview of staff-training records by displaying training course information for a selection of employees in a configurable grid. This includes details of both completed training and training needs, and cells are colour-coded to show things like expired training or target dates that have been missed.
Within the People Inc. system, this feature can also be used to book training for employees (or for groups of employees).
An ESS version of the Training Matrix is also available. This provides line managers with information about the training needs and completed training for members of their team.
Providing Access to HR Documents
1th June 2021
People Inc. is a great place to save HR-related documents. They are kept centrally, and securely, and there are then several ways to provide access.
Colleagues can view the documents within system itself (via a restricted access profile if necessary). This can also be done using a web browser (via the Employee Self-Service module).
Documents can be shared using links (used in the HR Policy sign-off add-on).
A special Document Mode available within the ESS gives file attachments far greater visibility (documents become the main item shown when the screen is opened). This approach is taken within the People Inc. On-line Payslips feature (for example).
Salary Review Manager
4th June 2021
Salary information for employees across the organisation can be updated in just a few moments.
The People Inc. Salary Review Manager plugin is designed to help users update employee salary information during a pay review. The plug-in builds a grid of employee records, detailing their current salaries. Users can then apply percentage or fixed amount updates to groups of employees. Alternatively, it is possible to import updated salary figures from a spreadsheet.
The Salary Review Manager is available free of charge in the latest People Inc. Wizard Pack.
Employee Directory
28th May 2021
A number of enhancements have been included in a new release of the People Inc. Employee Directory. Key amongst these is integration with People Inc. time (displaying the clock-status for each employee), and some new formatting options for phone numbers and e-mail addresses.
The Employee Directory is a configurable tool that displays information from records held in the system. Employees can be contacted (by phone or e-mail) directly from their directory entry. Each entry shows information, contact details and availability for employees within the organisation. Employees can update their availability, for example, if they do not want to be disturbed, or if they are working from home.
Company Statistics
21st May 2021
Company Statistics made available at a glance; this ESS feature provides management with an overview of key trends for their area of the organisation.
This tool is designed to analyse data within the People Inc. system and represent the information graphically. This includes a summary of resourcing levels, absence information, staff availability, and equal opportunities.
The Company Statistics tool provides a comparison of team figures and performance, with benchmark data produced at organisation or company level. Different elements of this feature can be enabled or disabled as required.
Scheduler HR Calendar
14th May 2021
All key HR dates can be made available to people who need access to them across the organisation.
The ESS Scheduler is a shared HR calendar used to display bookings and key dates (information recorded within People Inc.) This can be used by line managers to ensure that key employment tasks are completed (appraisals, end of probation reviews, training is booked, etc.).
Access at employee level provides them with information on their own shift-patterns, holidays and training bookings (and other key dates). Managers can see an overview of this information for their team.
Requesting PPE
7th May 2021
It is possible to add any number of custom forms to the People Inc. Employee Self-Service module. This can be done to collect information from employees, or to manage a variety of different requests.
As individuals use the PPE issued to them (face masks, gloves, etc.) they can request more using an online form (made available via the ESS).
On online form is a convenient way to collect and manage this type of request. Custom forms can be made available via both computers and mobile phones, they are available 24/7, and requests can be monitored and actioned quickly.
Workplace Coronavirus Testing
30th April 2021
Within some organisations, employees are now required to take regular coronavirus tests. While it is reasonably easy to make testing available to staff, keeping clear records of these tests can be a challenge.
By adding a custom form to the Employee Self-Service module, employees can log information relating to tests they have done within People Inc. This makes it easy to record details of testing, and ensures that up to date centralised records are available. Users can then monitor testing and produce reports using this data.
This is a good example of the flexibility provided by the Employee Self-service module.
Self-Isolation
23rd April 2021
If employees travel abroad they may need to self-isolate on their return. In addition, employees who have been in contact with others who have contracted coronavirus (or have been contacted by Track and Trace) will also have to do so. By adding a suitable absence category to the system, Self-Isolation records can be managed using the standard absence management functionality provided by the People Inc. system.
Information about periods of Self-Isolation can be registered in the normal way, or (if required) requested via the ESS. This information is then automatically available in the People Inc. calendar tools and attendance records.
Buy or Sell Holidays
16th April 2021
Flexibility in the number of holiday days is a worthwhile benefit to offer. Individuals may feel they do not need all of their holiday, or perhaps they would like the flexibility to add to the time they can take off work.
Employees can use an optional ESS feature to submit a request to buy or sell holiday days. Their request is automatically routed to their manager for approval. Once approved, an adjustment is automatically made to their holiday entitlements.
If necessary, the feature can be configured to provide two levels of approval. Other options also allow for limits to be placed on the amount purchased or sold in a single request and also the total amount over a period.
A New Way to Book Holidays
9th April 2021
A new version of the tool used by employees to book holidays has recently been added to People Inc. ESS. This upgrade includes a number of significant refinements.
Staff can book holidays from a calendar-based tool and if necessary they can add notes or adjustments to their request. Requests are passed to their manager for review (done using the same tool within the ESS), and absence records are updated automatically once a request is approved.
Available via PC or mobile phone versions of the ESS, the Absence Request Wizard also enables employees to used to withdraw holiday requests.
I am Running Late
2nd April 2021
People Inc. provides a quick and simple way to let the office know that you will arrive at work a little late. Each member of staff can use the Employee Self-Service module to inform their colleagues that they are running late.
This feature is available on both the PC and mobile phone versions of the ESS. The Late Notifications screen allows an employee to enter the time that they expect to arrive at work. The system will automatically notify their managers via e-mail.
Time Off in Lieu
26th March 2021
This feature allows an employee to register details of any time they have worked outside their normal work-pattern (using their ESS account).
Once reviewed and approved by their manager, the time is automatically credited to a TOIL allowance and can then be booked as leave. Alternatively, the employee can be paid for the extra time they have worked.
Notification e-mails are generated automatically when requests are submitted or reviewed, and the feature can provide two levels of approval if required. Limits can be placed on the total time an employee can register within any period.
Getting Rid of Sickness Forms
19th March 2021
Electronic forms are a great way to speed up the flow of information and free staff up for more productive activities. This optional People Inc. feature enables staff to register and manage sickness absence (via their ESS account). It replaces inefficient paper-based (or e-mail) sickness reporting.
In its simplest format, when staff are sick, line managers can add full records via the Register Sickness screen. Alternatively, line-managers can register sickness absence, but the system then allows employees to update their records themselves when they return to work.
The screen same can also be used from within People Inc. (by system administrators) to add sickness information for employees in bulk.
Doing More to Manage Absence
12th March 2021
The Employee Self-Service module can provide several additional tools to manage absence. Using these features:
- Staff can request holidays. Requests are passed to their manager for review, and records updated automatically once a request is approved.
- Employee sickness can be registered (usually by their line-manager) and a return to work form completed for each occurrence.
- Individuals can register time worked outside their work-pattern; a time off in lieu request is then passed to their manager for approval.
- Employees can put in a request to buy or sell holiday days. Once again, this is passed to their manager for approval.
- A member of staff can notify their colleagues via the system when they are running late (on the way to work).
Make the system your own
5th March 2021
The People Inc. system includes around 60 screens, each designed to manage information relating to a specific area of HR. In addition, any number of documents can be attached to records within the screens.
People Inc. users can also customise their system using the Screen Designer. This enables them to change the content and layout of any of the existing screens (adding any number of boxes to manage new types of information). It is also possible to add new screens as required.
This combination of approaches enables users to record virtually any information within the People Inc. system. Furthermore, custom screens and fields can be used in reports and letters, and user-profiles can control who has access to each item of data.
Just pick the phone up...
26th February 2021
Do you need quick, reliable advice on how the People Inc. system works? Our support service is designed to help you with any queries relating to system functionality, They will also help with any system-related issues you experience. Just pick up the phone...
People Inc. users can contact the help desk by telephone, or by e-mail. The telephone service is available during office hours (09:00 – 17:30) on weekdays (but not on English bank holidays). Outside these hours, requests for support can be submitted via e-mail or via our website, but these may not be dealt with until the next working day.
More information on the help desk service can be found here.
Online Resources
19th February 2021
The Resources area of our website provides users with access to comprehensive information about the People Inc. software. This includes user-guides (and other documentation), downloads (installers and add-ons) and a library of frequently asked questions. It is also possible to download People Inc. report templates from this area of the website.
Available free of charge to all system users, individuals will need to register (set up an account) before they access these online resources. It is possible to set up an account using a link on the Resources log-in page. Click here to go to the Online Resources log-in page.
Getting up to Speed.
12th February 2021
The People Inc. system can help manage information relating to all aspects of HR. And while there are comprehensive user-guides that cover the functionality provided by the system, many users prefer to learn by spending an hour on a Zoom or Teams call looking at a particular topic in detail.
Running through different aspects of the system in a series of on-line sessions will give users a good understanding of the features and benefits provided by the system. This type of training also introduces the techniques that ensure users gain maximum benefit from their People Inc. system.
Sessions can be arranged for individuals, or for groups, and often this can be done at short notice. Some users prefer to set up a series of coordinated online training sessions for their team. More information here.
People Inc. Webinars.
5th February 2021
We run regular webinars to help People Inc. users get to grips with new features. Lasting around 20 minutes and available free-of-charge to all system users, webinars are an effective way to learn more about the system. Recently we have run sessions on system health checks, the holiday year end, and on-line attendance records.
The next People Inc. webinar looks at People Inc. reports that were added to the report library recently, how you download reports, and the ESS statistics screen.
Click here for more information about People Inc. webinars.
Seven ways to learn more about People Inc.
29th January 2021
Listed below are 7 ways that you can learn more about People Inc.
- Review the list of People Inc. features – what is possible? - click here
- Read the Friday Tip – over 100 hints and suggestions - just scroll down
- Look up information in the help file – available online
- Get a People Inc. resources login – for manuals, FAQs, etc. - click here
- Contact the help desk with your query – by phone or e-mail - click here
- Attend People Inc. feature webinars - click here
- Set up some user training – available via online meeting - click here
Please call the helpdesk if you need more information on any of these.
Learning to use new features.
22nd January 2021
People Inc. is supplied with two databases: a Personnel database and a Demonstration database. The Personnel database is used to manage live HR records; the Demonstration database has identical screens and features and is an ideal tool for user training and familiarisation.
To switch to a different database, right-click on a database in the Management Console and select All Tasks > Activate Database.
Note that further databases can be added to the system if required (using the System Administration Module). This is useful if information for several different organisations is managed by a single HR team.
Closing Absence Allowances
15th January 2021
Once last year’s holiday bookings have been added users should close the previous year’s holiday allowances. This locks the records and ensures that figures generated at year-end do not subsequently change (if absence records for the year are updated at a later date).
A Wizard designed to close allowances is provided as part of the standard People Inc. system. Note that this Wizard can also be used to close any allowances that remain open in earlier years.
Ensuring that old allowances are closed is particularly important now as the settings for carry-over are likely to need changing this year (to comply with legislation introduced during the Coronavirus pandemic).
Start the year with a System Health Check.
8th January 2021
With the option to manage extensive HR records, and often for hundreds of employees, it is easy to overlook records that should be updated.
A new plug-in is available for the People Inc. system, designed to help you monitor and manage system data. This provides you with an overview of the information held within your system and highlights any areas that should be reviewed or updated.
A system health check generates comprehensive information relating to the records within your HR system and ensures that you are set up and ready for the year ahead.
Click here for more information.
Christmas Look and Feel
18th December 2020
Around 30 themes are available within the People Inc. system. Users can select different themes using one of the mini-buttons at the top of the People Inc. screen. This changes the way the screens look (the colours and images on the screen).
Some of the themes that are available within the system relate to a specific time of year. Loading the Christmas theme adds snowflakes to the screen background and adds snowmen and ribbons to items on the screen.
Wishing you all a Merry Christmas!
Christmas opening hours.
11th December 2020
Our offices will be closed for Christmas from 2.30pm on Thursday 24 December 2020 until 8.30am Monday 4 January 2021.
Help desk support services will be available during this period (please call 01908 265111 or contact the help desk via e-mail). If you have an urgent matter you need to discuss with another member of our team, please contact us via the People Inc. helpdesk.
We would like to wish you a safe and peaceful Christmas and look forward to working with you all in 2021.
Bank Holidays next year
4th December 2020
Are details of next year's Bank Holidays set up within your system? Where holiday bookings need to be adjusted for bank holidays, these dates need to be recorded within People Inc. (added via the Companies screen)
Details of 2021 bank holidays can be found here: UK Bank Holidays
For organisations with offices in more than one region, you will need to add the appropriate bank holidays for each region. This is done by using a different company record for each region.
Furthermore, if you have not yet done so, you should now be thinking about creating 2021 holiday allowances. This is done using the Recreate Absence Allowance wizard.
