Nicky Blatch is HR director of Ocado, the online supermarket service
How did you decide on the online flexible benefits system?
Ocado is focused on ensuring employees feel they have control of their lives
and careers. This ‘Framework to Freedom’ was the basis on choosing Missing Link
Software, which provides a user-friendly HR self-service option. They worked
with us to develop this further with a bespoke flexible benefits system.
I designed a checklist of functions that the HR team would require from a system
and matched it against a detailed article on HR software suppliers (The
Flexible Trend, Personnel Today 24 September), only seeing the ones that
matched the spec. After many demonstrations, I chose a system that felt
user-friendly.
What would you say to an HR person who has to get involved in speccing a
system?
Make sure you have a checklist of the functions you want your system to
provide. Investigate the suppliers that can match that spec, and be prepared
for lots of demonstrations. The key to success is getting a system that
provides all the functions required, but is also comfortable for all those who
will encounter it.