HR tech firm aims to build on Heron success

A Teesside HR tech company is eyeing further growth after proving its platform at scale with a national retailer.

Stockton-based Jola HR is aiming to roll out its employee onboarding platform to more businesses after supporting Heron Foods in managing up to 80 new starters each week.

The firm’s software streamlines the onboarding process by reducing paperwork and manual administration, while providing a consistent and branded experience for new employees. 

Designed to support both large and small organisations, the platform automates key tasks such as communications, reminders and data collection.

Laura Buckell, Jola HR’s operations director and co-founder, said: “Our software is saving Heron Foods hours of admin time each week, allowing their teams to focus on higher-value work instead of paperwork.

“We are hoping to build on the success of this contract by attracting other major retailers where they are onboarding a lot of staff at a time.

“These new staff need to fill in various forms, order uniforms, go through health and safety and other forms of mandatory training and fulfil various checks and administrative processes, before they even start – and that’s where our software comes in to support this process.”

Heron Foods, which employs more than 5000 people across over 340 stores, adopted the system to improve efficiency after moving away from paper-based processes. 

The platform has helped reduce manual workload, improve data accuracy and free up time for HR teams to focus on employee experience.

Helene Dixon, head of payroll and onboarding at Heron Foods, added: “Jola HR is incredibly easy to use and navigate and the daily import function alone has saved us hours each week.

“One of its standout features is the import function, which allows a single import per day for all new starters, streamlining data entry and saving valuable time.

“Since implementing the Jola HR onboarding system, the manual workload of the team has been dramatically reduced.

“Jola’s onboarding solution is user-friendly, looks great, and gives a strong first impression of our company.

“It’s helped us onboard faster, more accurately, and with far less manual effort.

“I’d definitely recommend it to any company dealing with high onboarding volumes.”

Jola HR now plans to build on this momentum, targeting similar retailers and other organisations looking to simplify hiring processes, as it continues to scale its offering from the North East.

Laura added: “Our software is bespoke for each individual client and is mobile first, making it easy for any new recruit with a smartphone to complete the onboarding process.

“It solves a big problem for clients, as it automates processes from sending out offer letters to signing contracts and everything in between.

“Things like carrying out inductions and providing company handbooks can also be incorporated into the software.

“Payroll teams onboarding a high volume of new starts are usually drowning in the relevant paperwork, but our software makes the process more seamless and enjoyable for everyone involved.

“It also means companies can focus more on the niceties of welcoming new staff, rather than the administrative side.”

For more information about Jola HR, click here.

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