If You Build It, Will They Use It?
- Kristopher Kobernus
- Oct 1, 2025
- 2 min read
Why HR Tech Fails, and What Actually Drives Adoption
The Problem: Features ≠ Value
“Most HRIS systems don’t fail because of missing features. They fail because they don’t feel relevant to the people using them.”
Too often, systems are configured, permissions are granted, and the go-live is celebrated… only for day-to-day engagement to stall.
The result? A poor user experience, missed business value, and overwhelmed HR support teams.
The Real Cost of Low Adoption
It’s tempting to treat HR tech as a back-office tool, but for many employees, it’s their first digital touchpoint with your culture, policies, and opportunities for growth.
🚩 60–70% of employees fail to adopt their HRIS after implementation (Shortways, 2019)
🚩 70% of digital transformation efforts fail due to low user adoption (IBM Consulting)
🚩 High volumes of avoidable support tickets pull HR away from strategic work
A Shift in Perspective: From Compliance to Culture
Adoption isn’t a tech problem. It’s a habit problem.
For platforms to succeed, they must become part of the employee experience, not just another obligation, but a destination. That requires relevance, ease of use, and connection to the information people actually need.
Your HR Platform as the Digital Front Door
Employees should instinctively turn to your HR system the same way they check their phone for updates, access, and connection.
Effective platforms go beyond transactions to include:
Recognition & celebrations
Personalized announcements & policy updates
Internal mobility & job boards
Localized content & team customization
Easy navigation to other business systems
Real Adoption = Real ROI
When employees use your HR system daily, the ROI is undeniable.
It’s not about licenses. It’s about outcomes.
Our Perspective at Principal Group
At Principal Group, we help organizations turn their HR systems into digital hubs of connection, not just compliance.
Through strategic implementation, governance, and change enablement, we make HR tech useful, used, and human.
A Recommendation That Aligns With This Vision
In our work across HR tech platforms, one solution stands out for its focus on engagement, usability, and culture-building: HiBob.
If you’re evaluating platforms or planning a shift, we recommend exploring HiBob’s capabilities, particularly for mid-market organizations seeking to enhance the employee experience.
Let’s Reimagine Your HR Tech
If your platform isn’t being used, your investment is underdelivering. We’d love to show you how adoption-focused strategies can transform your results.
Comments