The 2024 Office

The 2024 Office-Balancing Flexibility and Collaboration

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The futurist, Alvin Toffler, said we must

“learn, unlearn, and relearn.”

Positive aspects of working from the 2024 officeThe office space is an area that management has to be flexible about if they want to attract and retain young, vibrant employees. It’s no good thinking what has worked for many years, is still the way it works today.

 

Future office spaces are shaped by a delicate balance between flexibility and collaboration. As technology continues to redefine the workplace, the debate between working from the office and working from home continues.

 

Positive aspects of working from the 2024 office:

• It fosters a sense of community and collaboration.

• Face-to-face interactions facilitate spontaneous idea exchange, team building, and a shared company culture.

• The physical workspace becomes a hub for creativity, innovation, and camaraderie (elements that are challenging to replicate in a remote setting).

• The office vibe drives productivity, especially in a creative arena.

• It’s easier to feel professional when dressed smartly.

• A break from small children at home can refresh and focus an employee.

• An office should offer good coffee and fast internet (not always available at home).

• And home becomes a quiet space, instead of a place of work (and stress).

The benefits of remote work

On the other hand, remote work (made possible by the digital age) also has its merits:

• It offers employees greater flexibility
 
• Reduces commuting time and costs
 
• It can provide a better work-life balance

This newfound freedom is especially appealing to millennials, who prioritize experiences and autonomy in their professional lives.

These young workers, accustomed to constant connectivity, have distinct expectations about their workspaces. Such as:

  • Environments that promote general well-being and mental health.
  • Flexible layouts with lots of natural light.
  • Spaces designed for collaboration.
  • Tech-savvy (such as many USB charging ports for constant connectivity).
  • Great coffee, and social space to enjoy it.

The future office is likely to be a hybrid model that combines the best of both worlds.

Companies should invest in adaptable, flexible workspaces that can cater to various work styles, and ensure a seamless transition between in-office and remote work. This flexibility empowers employees, by providing them with the autonomy to choose where and how they work most effectively.

Hybrid work

So to attract and retain your skilled staff, your company office space should be;

a fusion of physical and digital spaces.

Your company should be able to cater to the diverse needs and expectations of the modern workforce.

Finding the balance between in-person collaboration and remote flexibility will be the key to creating dynamic, engaging work environments that inspire innovation and foster employee satisfaction.

Embrace the future workplace by fostering collaboration and flexibility. Whether working remotely or in a physical office, Hrmaster ensures an environment that meets the needs of the modern employee, promoting engagement and productivity. Experience the difference with Hrmaster’s collaborative and flexible services. Contact Ian Hurst at ian@paymaster.co.za or 082 898 5006 to elevate your work environment today.

HRMASTER
Access to Employee Training

Access to Employee Training

by with No Comment Are you ready for the future of HRArticle

Access to Employee Training – with Skillmaster

In the business environment today, if you’re not learning, you’re falling behind. Hrmaster believes in empowering people to take control of their growth and development – personal and professional. And that is why we are excited to tell you about our new skills development service from Skillmaster that provides access to employee training.

Skillmaster is your entry into a world of opportunities for self-improvement and skills development. We understand the importance of providing employees with the tools and resources necessary to manage their own training effectively. Skillmaster learning platformFor this reason, Skillmaster was developed to offer access to a training platform that will start them on the journey of life-long learning.

When you sign up with Skillmaster, you’ll be provided with a personalized login that offers a treasure trove of e-learning courses. These courses are carefully designed to build knowledge, address skills gaps, and develop the confidence to thrive in today’s fast-paced work environment.

Invest in the most important asset of your organisation

Investing in your staff is one of the most meaningful decisions you can make for your business. After all, your team is the most important asset of your organization. Skillmaster upskills your employees to reach their full potential. This investment in your people impacts your business in countless ways. They will be more engaged and ready to take on the challenges the world of work throws their way.

Once you have finished one of our courses, you’ll receive a certificate of completion. It’s tangible proof of your commitment to growth and excellence, and your readiness to meet industry demands in your sector.

Our course categories cover a broad spectrum of skills and knowledge, including:

  • Workplace Readiness Program
  • Workplace Efficiency Training: Administrative Skills Online Courses
  • HR Mastery: Elevate Your Skills for Strategic HR Leadership
  • Sales and Marketing Strategies Package
  • Leadership and Management Program
  • Microsoft Office Essentials/Expert
Skillmaster E-learning

And the newest tool to make training access easier is the Paymaster App, to be launched soon. You will be able to access training, payroll and Time and Attendance solutions on one platform.

Skillmaster – training made simple.

When you’re ready to take charge of your professional development, Skillmaster is at your fingertips. If you have any questions, please contact Deon Macauley, the head of Skillmaster, at 072 440 2710 or via email at deon@skillmaster.co.za.

Employee Data and Onboarding

Employee Data and Onboarding

by with No Comment Are you ready for the future of HRArticle
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Exploring Employee Engagement and Self-Service with HRmaster

Join us as we embrace the new way of doing HR as we start this article series: Are you ready for the future?

Today the role of HR has grown from a purely administrative function to a more strategic partnership. An example of this is seen in the shift towards employee self-service which empowers employees to take charge of their data and the onboarding process. Let’s take a closer look at how Hrmaster’s Paymaster payroll software paves the way for seamless self-management of employee data and onboarding.

Employee Data and Onboarding: A Glimpse into the Future

Hooray! Goodbye to paperwork and manual data entries during the onboarding process. HRmaster’s Paymaster payroll software revolutionizes this operation because it empowers employees to take control of their personal information and the onboarding procedure. With a user-friendly interface, employees can easily update and manage their data, ensuring accuracy and efficiency from the start.

1. Streamlined Onboarding Experience

 

a. Seamless Data Input:

Onboarding ExperienceWith Paymaster, new hires can input their personal details, qualifications, and other relevant information directly into the system. The intuitive design ensures a smooth onboarding process, and sets the stage for a positive employee experience from day one.

 

 

b. Document Upload and Verification:

Employees can upload essential documents, from identification papers to certifications, directly into the system. Paymaster facilitates quick document verification. This ensures compliance and eliminates manual paperwork.Document Upload and Verification

c. Self-Service Access:

Access to an employee portal allows new hires to view company policies, handbooks, and other essential materials. This provides a sense of independence and empowerment from the start. 

2. Employee Data Management

 

a. Personal Information Updates:Employee Data

Existing employees can easily update their personal information, contact details, and emergency contacts through the Paymaster self-service portal. This ensures that the HR employee data is accurate and up-to-date. 

b. Payroll Preferences:

Payroll administrators have the flexibility to set their payroll preferences, including payment methods, tax details, and deduction allocations, which helps streamline the payroll process.Payroll Preferences

c. Real-time Access to Payslips:

Through the self-service portal, employees can access their payslips and tax-related documents instantly. This promotes transparency and trust within the organization.

The future of HR is about employee engagement. Self-service empowers individuals with the resources they need to manage their journey within the organization effectively. Hrmaster’s Paymaster payroll software is a perfect product to navigate this shift because it makes self-management of employee data and onboarding a breeze. The success of your business depends on employees that are engaged and efficient. Come on …join the self-service revolution with HRMASTER as your guide.

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Why reward employees with gift vouchers

Why reward employees with gift vouchers

by with No Comment Article

Why reward employees with gift vouchers?

It is vital to keep employees motivated and engaged. Gift vouchers that reward and show appreciation to deserving/hardworking staff are a valuable tool to show that you value their contribution to the company.

Let’s look at some of the reasons to consider rewarding your employees:

Boost morale

  • when employees feel valued, they’re more engaged and energised at work
  • vouchers are a perfect token of appreciation for a job well done

Increase productivity

  • a gift voucher can be offered as an incentive or reward for meeting/exceeding goals
  • employees will be motivated to work harder to reach their targets
  • the whole company benefits as productivity is increased

Improve employee retention

  • the competitive job market means being creative to retain skilled staff
  • gift vouchers aid retention rates as employees who feel valued are more likely to stay with the company long term
  • these vouchers show you care about their well-being and are willing to invest in them

Tips for employee gifting:

  • personalize the gift if possible
  • be consistent – create a culture of recognition (and ensure everyone has an equal chance to receive a gift)
  • celebrate small wins – don’t only focus on major achievements – celebrating smaller wins creates a culture of positivity and motivation
  • be sincere – avoid generic messages – let your gratitude come across as personal and genuine.

Gift box

 YoyoGift vouchers, a Paymaster partner, offers a perfect opportunity for you to reward your employees in a thoughtful, personal manner.

Paymaster provides you with an online digital gifting platform. Send your gifts in under 3 minutes. Ian Hurst 083 679 1311 or ian@paymaster.co.za for more info on this voucher reward system.

Punch today

Good HR software

by with 2 Comments ArticleTechnology

Staff engagement and good HR software

There are many ways HR can improve the workplace experience for employees today…good coffee, extra leave, fabulous desks etc. But in actual fact, an excellent payroll system such as the one offered by Paymaster, is the key to retaining skilled staff and improving their engagement with your company.

Employee engagement

Studies have shown that only a third of employees are really engaged at work ie. that they are working at 100% capacity, most of the time, to achieve the company’s goals and objectives. Half of the employees are considered “not-engaged”, and about 15% are actively disengaged, meaning they are working actively against the company’s goals. This results in a negative atmosphere in the workplace, which impacts productivity. It is obvious engaged employees mean greater efficiency. So investing now, means greater employee engagement, and significant gains in the future.

Simple is the answer

There are many reasons an employee may feel disengaged from the company. Sometimes simplifying a basic aspect of work – getting paid- can be an important step to greater transparency and trust in the company. The move to a paperless payroll system has not always resulted in increased access to their personal employee data.

Often employee benefits are unused, because employees are unaware of them, or don’t know how to access them.

Similarly, a complicated process to clock-in, or check their payslip, may mean a sense of alienation from their workplace for them.

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Keep updated

Jumping through hoops because of outdated technology, just to access your information, results in frustration and increased disengagement. Since the main reason for working is to get paid, the HR department has a pivotal role in making this process as simple, and accessible, as possible. This improves employee loyalty to the company.

Solution: Improve Employee Engagement and Trust with Cloud-Based HR Software

Cloud-based software allows employees to quickly and easily access their schedule, payslips, leave hours, and other important working information. This will result in greater sense of employee trust in their company as it illustrates concern in the essentials that impact their day-to-day lives. They will have more energy to focus on the actual work itself. The positive atmosphere also aids staff retention, as they will feel appreciated.

Remember the HR staff

An efficient Payroll system will also mean the HR staff will feel engaged, and able to play their part in the efficient functioning of the company with enthusiasm and enjoyment. They will have time and energy to initiate bigger projects and interact positively with their co-workers. Happier workers are productive, engaged workers.

Zen rooms and wellness packages can be enticing…but saving time, preventing frustration, and encouraging employee engagement as the result of cutting-edge Payroll software will improve a vital part of working life – being paid accurately, and on time!

Contact Glen 083 679 1311, glen@paymaster.co.za at Paymaster to find out about our excellent payroll software on offer.

Wellness

Employee Wellness

by with No Comment ArticleEmployee Wellness

Paymaster presents this 4-part article series that assists in employee and workplace wellness and provides tips and strategies to promote overall well-being in the workplace, including managing burnout, self-care, adopting lifestyle tips from Japan, and creating a supportive work environment.

Part 1

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Psychologists have identified the following 4 types of intelligence:

Intelligence quotient, emotional quotient, social quotient and adversity quotient. Let’s explain these:

1. Intelligence quotient (IQ) – this measures the level of comprehension. You need IQ to solve maths problems, memorize things and recall lessons.

2. Emotional quotient (EQ) – this measures your ability to build a network of friends, maintain peace with others, be responsible, keep to time, be honest, respect boundaries, be humble, genuine and considerate.

3. Social quotient (SQ) – this measures your ability to build a group of friends and maintain it over time.

People with higher EQ and SQ usually go further in life than those with high IQ, but low EQ and SQ. Unfortunately most schools focus on building IQ, and play down the importance of EQ and SQ.

Your EQ represents your character, and your SQ represents your charisma. Seek out habits that will improve all three of the above mentioned, but especially your EQ and SQ.

Now there is a new one, the

4. Adversity Quotient (AQ) – this measures your ability to go through a difficult time and emerge on the other side without losing your mind. AQ determines who will give up, abandon their family, or consider suicide when going through a rough patch.

Develop a child’s different quotients, and don’t focus only on academics. Encourage manuel labour of some sort (but not as punishment), also sports and arts.

Help them to become multi-faceted human beings, able to act independently of their parents, as they grow up.

Prepare your children for the road, since you can’t prepare the road for them!Part 2

Beware of burnout

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A toxic culture has developed lately, that pushes people to prove how hard they’re working, and how indispensable they are. For some this defines their identity.

•  when things become overwhelming, there is a sense of shame and failure, that often prevents that person from seeking help. They don’t want to be seen not coping ,emotionally and physically.

•  it is vitally important to recognize it, accept it, and reach out for help.

•  symptoms can include feeling physically and emotionally drained, and feeling tired and overwhelmed, even unable to get out of bed.

•  it is a mistake to try and deal with it alone, as anxiety and worry only increases.

•  perfectionism is often a trait of these high achievers, putting themselves under impossible pressure.

•  there is no shame in this, so GET HELP – and be kind to yourself.

•  be flexible and teachable – your way is not the only way. Allow others to help you, and show you alternatives.

•  stress and overwhelm (and maybe a sense of hopelessness) often happens when a difficult project is completed, or a goal is reached.

•  it is essential to communicate how you feel to those close to you, and your work colleagues and boss.

•  does your company have a manifesto that supports your staff and make sure that managers stick to it. Have avenues to assist those feeling overwhelmed, and communicate them well.

Paymaster has a monthly Mental health day that allows each staff member a day off to do whatever they deem necessary to remain on top of it. Be creative (and consultative) and find ways to support your valued team members to stay strong and focused.

Part 3https://www.paymaster.co.za/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/Self-care-tips-to-grow-in-2023-1024×536.png

Self -care tips for everyone

  1.  Avoid telling people about your goals – it will release cheap dopamine, and trick your brain into thinking it has already achieved them, and lower your motivation.
  2. If you feel unhappy – focus on brain health – sleep, hydrate, excercise, eat healthy and have less screen time.
  3. Write down beautiful moments -save the memory – one day you might need it to lift you up when going through a tough time.
  4. When emerging from a rough patch – use it as an opportunity to transform your life- focus on building your values and daily habits – and come back stronger.
  5. Make peace with past decisions that you now regret – you made them based on knowledge you had then.
  6. If you are not feeling strong mentally, don’t believe every thought and emotion – it’s a bad idea (like shopping on an empty tummy).
  7. Don’t compare yourself to others – they have their own challenges.
  8. Avoid those that steal your energy – and those prone to creating conflict.
  9. If you see something beautiful in nature, be present and enjoy it. Not everything has to be recorded.
  10. If mainstream media overwhelms you, turn it off.
  11. If you’re stuck in negative thoughts, ask yourself “Will this matter in a year?” or “Is this useful?”
  12. If you feel rushed, go at it 85%. The athlete, Carl Lewis, said “Slow is smooth, and smooth is fast!”

Remember to live life to the fullest by setting achievable goals, focusing on brain health, and cherishing beautiful moments. Take at least one of these self-care tips and implement it into your daily routine for a healthier, happier life.

Part 4 coming next week…

Benefits HR solutions offer to business

by with No Comment AutomateLatest Payroll NewsUncategorised

 Benefits HR solutions offer to business

South African organisations face enormous challenges in improving efficiencies and cost control in their HR departments. One common problem is that HR departments spend too much time on administrative tasks and managing compliance at the expense of supporting managers in developing employee potential, says Ashley Regenass, Synergy Group CEO.Another issue is that managers lack visibility into employee productivity and cost, which leads to poor estimates of labour costs in turn and eroding profits and competitiveness. For many mid-market enterprises, much of the difficulty in taking more control over the HR function lies in the fact that they rely on poorly integrated systems and cumbersome business processes.

These are all challenges we are grappling with inside our own business, which is why we have decided to implement Sage HR Management to modernise our HR processes and business systems. We looked at five core requirements for a new solution before we made our choice.

Modern technology platform
Understanding that we wanted to take advantage of the latest trends such as mobility, we needed a business solution with a modern architecture. It would need to be flexible and modular, allowing us to introduce new features and functionality at a pace that would be comfortable for our business. It would also need to be simple and fast to implement and configure.

Integration
Too many mid-sized businesses still store HR data in siloes. Outdated HR systems with loose or no integration with accounting and ERP systems create inefficiencies across the organisation and hamper visibility into business trends. The tight integration of Sage ERP X3 and Sage HR Management was, therefore, a big plus for us as a Sage ERP X3 user. A company with unified financial and HR data benefits from accurate and exhaustive data for all its employees, and this is core to improving productivity.

With Sage HR Management, we’ll have a complete HR solution that integrates with our ERP system, giving us a real-time view into HR productivity and costs.

That’s critically important to us since we are a consulting firm and our people’s time and expertise is the main product we sell. An integrated HR package will also help us reduce the need to recapture data across functions such as payroll, hiring, on-boarding and retaining talent, and statutory reporting.

Tighter control
We wanted to empower our managers with unified HR and financial data that would allow them to forecast present and future costs while streamlining operations with automated workflows. Thus, we looked for a solution that automates processes from end to end. Sage HR Management also provides powerful tools for managing workflows and enforcing business rules.

Better compliance and visibility
Gaining visibility of HR performance is a growing challenge, especially for mid-sized businesses. A related challenge is statutory reporting. We wanted a solution that would provide a global, accurate real-time view of HR budget, workforce costs and performance, enabling faster, better-informed operational decisions. With its dashboards and analytic tools, Sage HR Management will give us greater visibility into the business so we can make better decisions.

It will also support us in managing internal processes as well as storing and accessing critical documentation.

Employee engagement
Companies around the world agree that employee engagement is vital, and especially so in an industry such as ours where the best skills are in high demand. For us, implementing an HR solution should therefore focus as much on HR service delivery as it does on improving efficiencies. Sage HR Management will give us powerful tools such as self-service HR services (via the Web or a mobile device) for ensuring higher employee retention and engagement. It will also help us to manage employee development with faster and simpler access to skills and performance information.

We considered it especially important to give managers mobile access to key performance indicators and operational performance data. Providing Web access to core HR data to managers – on any device and on any browser – giving them the freedom to take decisions from any location.

Posted by IT-Online on May 8, 2015