HRdirect - Not the product it used to be
Updated April 21, 2020

HRdirect - Not the product it used to be

Margaret Wood | TrustRadius Reviewer
Score 10 out of 10
Vetted Review
Verified User

Overall Satisfaction with HRdirect Smart Apps

UPDATE: Since writing my first review, we have purchased the Harassment Training Module. I give this module a "10". It is easy to use, tracks completion and meets all our mandated requirements. I highly recommend \te Harassment Training Module fro HRDirect..

When I purchased HRdirect in 2017 to be used across the whole organization, it was the best-valued product for its application on the market. I had test-driven other products, but they were not within the budget. The whole idea of this product was to simplify PTO reporting and tracking. You could set up managers and provide them access through their smartphones or any other computer. Since it was cloud-based, employees could request PTO anytime, from anywhere. They could also cancel a request if their plans changed. Our Payroll department could access the same files for payment and reporting purposes.
  • Initially, you were able to see all activity and drill down for details.
  • It was easy-access for all our employees in the 7 states we operate in.
  • It provided tracking for the managers.
  • Payroll had access to all PTO requests.
  • HRdirect performed an upgrade in 2019 and that's where things went awry.
  • You could no longer drill down through the calendar to see the details - i.e. Doctor's appointment, illness, childcare issues, vacation, etc.
  • Previous year PTO requests were not archived and you now had to scroll through hundreds of PTO requests to see the most current.
  • Previous PTO requests were listed oldest to most current, resulting in much frustration trying to locate specific ones.
  • The print option was not longer functional.
  • The online help request form was no longer accessible.
  • Initially, HRdirect was proving to be an excellent tool, and we were getting a quick turnaround on small issues. However, the upgrade messed things up on our accessibility, with no resolution in sight.
  • Harassment training module is excellent.
Due to the fact that we were patient for more than 6 months with no resolution in sight, we decided to end our relationship with HRdirect for PTO tracking.

3/20/2020: We have purchased the Harassment Training Module. Excellent product with great value for the money.

Do you think HRdirect Smart Apps delivers good value for the price?

Not sure

Are you happy with HRdirect Smart Apps's feature set?

No

Did HRdirect Smart Apps live up to sales and marketing promises?

No

Did implementation of HRdirect Smart Apps go as expected?

Yes

Would you buy HRdirect Smart Apps again?

No

UPDATE 3/20/2020: I initially gave HRDirect a "0" recommendation due to all the issues we had with the PTO Module. However, since purchasing the Harassment Training Module ($90), this product is the best value for the money and puts us in compliance with mandated requirements. It is easy to use and well-presented.


At this point in time, with the issues and frustration level of all our employees, managers, and payroll department, it would be difficult for me to recommend this app as suitable in any scenario. However, should HRdirect fix the issues and get the app to perform as it was originally designed, it would be a great product for a small to medium company that has limited resources yet wants a good product for the money.

In our experience, the new hire portal did not appear to be functioning properly; our new hires were not able to access the blank documents. They could see them but not open them (PDFs).

HRdirect Smart Apps Feature Ratings

Employee demographic data
10
Job profiles and administration
10
Compliance data (COBRA, OSHA, etc.)
10
Approval workflow
1
View and generate pay and benefit information
10
Update personal information
10
View company policy documentation
10
Report builder
1
Pre-built reports
1
Performance improvement plans
Not Rated
New hire portal
1
Manager tracking tools
1
Job Requisition Management
Not Rated
Company Website Posting
Not Rated
Applicant Tracking
Not Rated
Notifications and Alerts
Not Rated

Using HRdirect Smart Apps

35 - Our outside sales reps liked the fact that they could schedule or change their PTO requests on the fly.
35 - HRdirect was used by all personnel, from outside sales reps to admin.
  • Schedule PTO.
  • Empower reps the flexibility to change their requests.
  • Provide tracking for employers.
  • Provide uniform information to payroll ad management.
  • In the event HRdirect can fix all of the programming issues previously described, this would once again become an excellent product with great value for the money.
As previously described, there are too many unresolved issues.