As a law firm, you are likely already aware of the many challenges that can come with managing human resource (HR) processes. From recruiting and onboarding new employees to managing employee records and ensuring compliance with employment laws, there is a lot to keep track of, not even including the day-to-day tasks of running the department itself.

While HR professionals make up only 1% of the workforce in the UK, they play a vital role in ensuring that businesses run smoothly and efficiently[1]. In fact, a recent study by the CIPD found that organisations with an effective HR function are more likely to be successful in achieving their business goals[2]. But what if there was a way to streamline and simplify your HR processes using legal practice management software? 

More law firms are utilising legal technology solutions to improve their in-house legal departments. There are many ways software for legal professionals can be used to benefit your firm’s HR department too.

Does a Law Firm Need an HR Department?

The first question you might be asking is whether or not your law firm even needs an HR department. While it is not a legal requirement in the UK to have an HR department, there are many benefits to having HR processes, including:

Improved employee relations: Employees who feel valued and supported are more likely to stay with a company for longer. An HR department can help to create a positive work environment and support employees through difficult times.

Better recruitment: A good HR department will have systems and processes to help you find the best candidates for open positions. They can also help with onboarding new employees to ensure they are set up for success from the start.

Improved compliance: A HR department can help ensure your law firm complies with employment laws and regulations[3].

A study by the University of Warwick found that employees who are happy in their jobs are 12% more productive. Happy employees are typically more likely to stay with a company for longer[4]. According to the Harvard Business Review, this is especially true when there is apparent job satisfaction, which includes employee recognition and job motivation. When management focuses on employee morale and happiness, it naturally leads to a decrease in staff turnover[5]. So, it’s worth investing in good HR processes if you want to keep your employees happy and improve your firm’s productivity.

How Legal Technology Can Help Your HR Processes

Out of 425 HR and legal professionals based across Europe and North America, 97% feel optimising legal technology software within HR would make a difference. In contrast, only 37% of them are actually using some form of legal HR software[6]. Not only can implementing such software make a difference, but it can also have a plethora of benefits for your firm, such as automating otherwise mundane tasks and saving your firm time and money.

Whether you want to utilise legal cloud technology in your already existing HR department or significantly improve your current processes by using HR software for law firms, there are many different ways legal tech can help with HR processes.

Recruitment and Onboarding

Your staff are your most valuable asset, so it’s essential to take care when recruiting new employees. Legal practice HR software will help you get systems and processes in place to ensure you find the best candidates for open positions. In London alone, 85% of law firms want to increase their employee count, whereas 93% do not plan to make any cuts at all[7]. In terms of recruitment, this means that the demand for quality hires is high, but the talent pool is becoming increasingly competitive.

A study by Forbes found that many hiring managers struggle to find the right talent for their organisation. The struggle has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 pandemic, with many firms now looking to hire remotely[8]. In order to find the best candidates, it is important to use the latest recruitment tools and technologies.

Manage Employees

With legal tech software, such as Good Law Software, you can effectively manage your employees, from tracking their time and attendance to managing their workloads and annual leave. Not only will it help to improve employee productivity and morale, but it will also save you time and money.

With home working or hybrid working becoming the norm, as a reported 66% of in-house lawyers do not want to return to the office full-time[9], it is also essential to have a system in place that can also manage your employees who are not located on-site.

Employee reports

Additionally, with legal cloud software, you can create customised employee reports, giving you valuable insights into your employees’ performance. Having insight into such information will help make informed decisions about promotions, bonuses and other employee benefits.

Knowing who in your workforce deserves recognition and who may need help to improve their performance will enable you to create a happier and more productive workforce. Employee reports can also help identify your organisation’s training and development needs.

Payroll Process

One of the biggest pitfalls of an HR department, including payroll, is the potential for human error. While human error is inevitable, if it happens often, it can cause huge issues for your firm[10].

With legal practice HR software, you can automate your payroll processes, which will help reduce the error margin. Automating your payroll process will also save you time and money and give you peace of mind knowing that your employees are being paid correctly and on time.

Final Thoughts

The benefits of using legal technology in HR processes are clear. From automating mundane tasks to saving time and money, legal technology can help your firm find and manage the best employees, as well as automate your payroll processes.

With so many different ways legal tech can help with HR, there is no reason not to make use of it in your organisation. If you’re looking for a way to improve your recruitment process, or simply want to save time and money, then look into utilising Good Law Software legal practice management software today.

Resources:

[1] Overview of the UK’s HR and recruitment industry | Prospects.ac.uk

[2]Strategic Human Resource Management | Factsheets | CIPD

[3] Is a HR Department Necessary to Run a Company? – HR News

[4]New study shows we work harder when we are happy (warwick.ac.uk)

[5]Why Employees Stay (hbr.org)

[6] 97% of Legal Professionals Think Tech Will Make a Difference (lawyer-monthly.com)

[7] 85% of UK law firms planning to increase staff headcount – FE News

[8]Why Companies Are Struggling To Find Good Talent During The Great Resignation (forbes.com)

[9] 66% of In-House Lawyers Don’t Want a Full Time Office Return | Law.com International

[10] Human Error: The Biggest Problem With Payroll – Flare HR