Bamboo HR: The Complete Guide to Features, Benefits, and Usage
Executive Summary
BambooHR is a legitimate, established HR software company serving over 34,000 businesses worldwide, providing comprehensive human resources management solutions for small to medium-sized organizations. This robust platform streamlines HR processes by integrating core HR functions, payroll, benefits administration, time tracking, and performance management into a unified system. As a cloud-based solution, BambooHR enables companies to manage the entire employee lifecycle efficiently while maintaining data security through enterprise-level protection measures. The company distinguishes itself through user-friendly design, flexible customization, and seamless integration capabilities that work cohesively to reduce administrative burdens and provide actionable people analytics.
📇 Company Overview: Is BambooHR a Real Company?
BambooHR is a legitimate and established provider of human resources software with a significant market presence. The company has built a substantial customer base and operates as a privately-held organization with physical headquarters in Draper, Utah .
- Market position: BambooHR serves over 34,000 customers across more than 55 different industries, demonstrating wide acceptance and trust in the HR software market .
- Global reach: Despite being U.S.-based, BambooHR serves customers and their employees in over 190 countries, supporting multiple languages and currencies to accommodate global teams .
- Employee impact: The platform is used by more than 3 million employees and HR professionals worldwide, indicating significant real-world adoption and validation of their services .
🛠️ What is BambooHR Used For? Primary Functions & Features
BambooHR provides a comprehensive HR platform that centralizes and automates critical human resources functions. The system is designed specifically for small to medium-sized businesses that have outgrown basic spreadsheets and need more sophisticated, integrated HR solutions .
1️⃣ Core HR & Employee Management
- Centralized Employee Database: Serves as a single source of truth for all employee information, storing and organizing data collected throughout the employee lifecycle .
- Company Directory: Provides immediate access to colleague information, including contact details, making workplace communication more efficient .
- Customizable Fields and Workflows: Allows companies to tailor the system to their specific business needs by customizing data fields, approval processes, and company branding .
2️⃣ Hiring & Onboarding
- Applicant Tracking System: Streamlines the recruitment process from application to hiring decision .
- Digital Onboarding: Facilitates paperless onboarding with digital forms, e-signatures, and automated workflows, creating a smoother experience for new hires .
- Pre-boarding Packets: Enables new employees to complete paperwork electronically before their first day, reducing administrative tasks and improving readiness .
3️⃣ Payroll & Time Management
- Integrated Payroll Processing: BambooHR Payroll provides a streamlined experience where time tracking, time off, and benefits data flow directly into payroll processing, eliminating double data entry .
- Time Tracking: As an add-on feature, employees can clock in and out directly from the BambooHR home screen or mobile app, with timesheets readily available for approvals .
- Time-Off Management: Enables employees to request time off and approvers to manage these requests through the platform or mobile app, with visibility into who’s out of the office and current balances .
4️⃣ Benefits Administration
- Benefits Enrollment: Allows employees to select benefits directly within the platform, with elections automatically recorded in their profiles .
- Carrier Connections: Automates data delivery to benefits providers, reducing manual work and potential errors .
- Deduction Sync: Automatically synchronizes benefits deductions with payroll, eliminating the need for duplicate data entry .
5️⃣ Performance Management
- Performance Reviews: Facilitates modern performance management through peer feedback, goal tracking, and frequent appraisals .
- Goal Tracking: Helps managers and employees set and monitor progress toward professional objectives .
- Feedback Tools: Encourages continuous performance conversations rather than relying solely on traditional annual reviews .
Table: BambooHR Core Features and Their Business Applications
| Feature Category | Key Capabilities | Primary Business Applications |
|---|---|---|
| Core HR | Employee database, company directory, customizable fields | Centralized employee records, organizational management, tailored workflows |
| Hiring & Onboarding | Applicant tracking, digital forms, e-signatures | Streamlined recruitment, paperless onboarding, improved new hire experience |
| Payroll & Time | Integrated payroll, time tracking, time-off management | Accurate payroll processing, efficient time capture, leave management |
| Benefits Administration | Employee enrollment, carrier connections, deduction sync | Simplified benefits management, automated provider reporting, payroll integration |
| Performance Management | Performance reviews, goal tracking, feedback tools | Continuous performance improvement, objective alignment, employee development |
🚀 How to Use BambooHR: Implementation & Daily Use
Implementation Process
For most organizations, implementing BambooHR typically takes between four to six weeks . The process includes:
- Implementation Service: Most customers choose this service where an assigned specialist helps import data, demonstrates how the system works, and gets the organization operational .
- Implementation Schedule: During the setup period, companies can expect approximately two calls per week with their implementation specialist, with each session lasting 30-60 minutes .
- QuickStart Option: Organizations with fewer than 25 employees use a streamlined QuickStart process with guidance videos and optional office hours for questions .
Mobile Accessibility
BambooHR offers mobile applications that extend key functionalities to smartphones and tablets:
- BambooHR Mobile App: Provides access to company directories, time-off requests and approvals, and employee information .
- BambooHR Hiring App: Designed specifically for hiring teams to review candidates, coordinate with team members, and communicate with applicants .
- Mobile Security: Includes passcode protection and full SAML Single Sign-On support to maintain security on mobile devices .
Integration Ecosystem
BambooHR supports an extensive integration network with over 120 third-party applications available through the BambooHR Marketplace, allowing companies to connect their existing tools and create a customized HR technology stack .
💡 Key Benefits & Business Value
BambooHR delivers significant value to organizations by addressing common HR challenges through technology and thoughtful design.
1️⃣ Operational Efficiency
- Process Automation: Reduces manual administrative work by automating repetitive tasks like data entry, approval workflows, and benefits enrollment .
- Integrated System: Eliminates data silos by connecting HR, payroll, time tracking, and benefits in a single platform, removing the need for duplicate data entry .
- Mobile Accessibility: Extends HR capabilities beyond the office, allowing employees and managers to handle HR tasks from anywhere .
2️⃣ Data-Driven Decision Making
- Reporting & Analytics: Provides robust reporting capabilities that transform people data into actionable insights for better decision-making .
- Unified Data Model: Surfaces data from all systems to provide a 360-degree view of the workforce, highlighting trends and opportunities .
- Customizable Reports: Enables creation of tailored reports and dashboards on everything from employee performance to payroll .
3️⃣ Security & Compliance
- Enterprise-Grade Security: Uses a Zero Trust model with multiple security measures including encryption, frequent vulnerability scans, web application firewalls, and annual penetration tests .
- Data Compliance: Helps organizations maintain regulatory compliance through tools for tracking certifications, licenses, and contracts, plus automated reminders .
- SOC II Audit: Undergoes annual third-party SOC II security audits to validate security controls and procedures .
4️⃣ Scalability & Flexibility
- Adaptable Platform: Designed to grow with your business, offering flexible tools that support HR operations from small startups to organizations with 1,000+ employees .
- Customization Options: Allows companies to tailor the system to their unique needs through customizable workflows, access levels, email alerts, and fields .
- Modular Design: Offers different feature sets and add-ons so companies can select only what they need and expand functionality as requirements evolve .
Table: BambooHR Implementation & Support Resources
| Resource Type | Availability | Key Features/Benefits |
|---|---|---|
| Implementation Service | 4-6 weeks for most customers | Dedicated specialist, data import assistance, system training |
| QuickStart Program | Companies <25 employees | Video guidance, office hours, self-directed setup |
| Mobile Applications | iOS & Android | Company directory, time-off management, hiring functions |
| Customer Support | M-F 6AM-6PM MT | Phone, email, live chat; entirely in-house team |
| Integration Marketplace | 120+ applications | Connect with existing tools, create custom HR tech stack |
📞 How to Contact BambooHR & Get Started
For organizations interested in exploring BambooHR, multiple contact options are available:
- Sales & Pricing Inquiries: Call 1-866-387-9595 or visit the BambooHR website for a free price quote . BambooHR uses per-employee, per-month pricing for companies with more than 25 employees, and a monthly flat rate for organizations with 25 or fewer employees .
- Customer Support: Available by phone at 1-866-387-9595 between 6 AM and 6 PM MT Monday through Friday . The support team is entirely in-house to ensure quality service .
- Free Trial: BambooHR offers a free trial so potential customers can evaluate the platform before making a commitment .
💎 Conclusion
BambooHR represents a legitimate, robust solution for small to medium businesses seeking to streamline their HR functions through technology. By centralizing HR data, automating processes, and providing actionable insights, the platform enables organizations to transform their HR operations from administrative functions to strategic advantages. The system’s comprehensive feature set, combined with its user-friendly design and proven security measures, makes it a valuable investment for companies looking to scale efficiently while maintaining effective people management practices. With its month-to-month contract flexibility and transparent pricing structure, BambooHR offers an accessible entry point for organizations ready to modernize their HR capabilities without long-term commitments .