The evolution of BrightHR
We started BrightHR with an idea: to create simple HR software that makes people management easier for SMEs. And ever since, we’ve worked worked hard to improve it. Here are our greatest moments:
2021
Jun 2021
We are pleased to introduce our Everything Button!
We’ve added a handy new button to the top of your dashboard, it's easily accessible and available from anywhere on BrightHR. Just click it to do everything from requesting time off to logging a sickness. Simple.
May 2021
10 million global clock-ins
We've reached 10 million global clock-ins!
Thank you to all of our customers and everyone at BrightHR who made it possible to reach this huge milestone.
May 2021
VaccTrak: Mobile passes
Issue exclusive VaccTrak passes to staff to save in their smartphone wallets, so they always have quick and easy access to vital information.
May 2021
Updated: BrightSafe Responsibilities Navigator
New statutory responsibilities added:
- COVID-19 Employee Lateral Flow Tests
- White heavy check mark COVID-19 Premises Check
Monitor responsibilities each day to ensure your business is COVID-secure and have an audit trail to prove it.
Apr 2021
New BrightSafe feature: Hazard reporting
Our brand new tool helps keep track of workplace hazards whether staff are at home or back in the office.
Apr 2021
9 million global clock-ins!
Blip has surpassed 9 million global clock-ins. Won't be long till we hit the 10 million milestone!
Apr 2021
New Blip Feature: Shift Adjustments
Employees can now request an adjustment to their clocking in and out times with their manager directly from the app.
Mar 2021
We’ve released a superb new upgrade to your BrightHR rotas.
When creating a new rota, you can now choose a duration period of up to 14 days, helping to make your shift planning even easier.
Mar 2021
VaccTrak is now even better!
See who’s partially or fully vaccinated at a glance and update employee vaccination statuses in the new COVID-19 vaccine tab. Plus, you can now issue employees with VaccTrak passes—all you have to do is hit send and it goes straight to their email inbox.
Mar 2021
8 million global clock-ins!
Blip has now surpassed over 8 million global clock-ins. We're so proud to support small businesses around the world with their employee time management. #NowIsTheBrightTime!
Feb 2021
New: Responsibilities Navigator
BrightSafe customers can use the brand-new Responsibilities Navigator to set up task reminders, delegate responsibilities, and save task records.
Feb 2021
New to VaccTrak
You can now record proof of employee vaccination in VaccTrak, and store any supporting documents in unlimited document storage.
Feb 2021
New BrightSafe On The Go feature: Task reminder notifications
Task reminder notifications will now be sent to users who have assigned tasks when the task is overdue, plus once a week in a handy summary. Tapping on the notifcation will take you directly to the task screen on BrightSafe On The Go, so users can make updates with ease.
Feb 2021
New BrightSafe On The Go feature: Accident reporting
BrightSafe On The Go users can now record the basic details of an accident via the menu, and can attach photos and videos as supporting evidence. Once the record is created, an e-mail notification is sent to the responsible person letting them know they need to conduct an investigation.
Feb 2021
PoP is included in the HMRC list of record-keeping software applications
PoP is included in the HMRC list of record-keeping software applications—helping small businesses, like yours with simple record keeping.
Jan 2021
BrightSafe update: 189 new risk assessment templates added
We are pleased to announce that we have added 189 new risk assessment templates to the BrightSafe Risk Assessment Library, bringing the total number of risk assessment templates to 655.
Jan 2021
BrightSafe On The Go update: New COVID-19 e-learning courses
Three new courses are available on the BrightSafe On The Go dashboard. These being:
Coronavirus Awareness For Senior Managers & Business Owners Coronavirus Awareness For Employees Coronavirus Vaccine Awareness
Jan 2021
Updated: BrightAdvice
This update adds the ability for users to request advice directly from the app. Users can choose to request online advice, telephone advice or a video conference. For telephone advice, users also have the option to set a preferred time for the call.
Jan 2021
New launch: BrightSafe On The Go
The exclusive mobile app that lets you manage health & safety tasks—wherever you are.
Jan 2021
We won Feefo's Platinum Trusted Service Award!
Having secured Gold status for three years running we have achieved the platinum award! A huge thanks to all of our clients who left us 5-star reviews and to all at BrightHR who have supported our clients throughout 2020.
Jan 2021
Updated: Permission page
This update gives BrightHR Admins a full list of what user roles their staff have and makes it easier for the Admins to revoke or assign permissions.
Jan 2021
New e-learning course: Work Equipment Awareness
This new e-learning course covers the actions required to legally comply with Work Equipment Regulations and to help minimise and control risks associated with the use of work equipment.
Jan 2021
NEW BrightHR release: VaccTrak
Our brand-new tool makes it easy for you to record who’s had the COVID-19 vaccine and who’s still on the waiting list—helping you to protect your people and your business through the pandemic.
Jan 2021
The Rota Report is even easier to use
We’re pleased to announce a brilliant improvement to our new Rota Report. This update includes a handy new column to see whether a rota is published or unpublished at a glance!
Jan 2021
Improved: Payroll glossary
We’ve extended the payroll glossary list with even more terminology, helping you run payroll with ease.
2020
Dec 2020
7 million Blips!
We're so excited that Blip keeps growing. There have now been over 7 million global clock-ins!
Dec 2020
New Rota report
Our handy new 'Rota report' gives you a summary of the daily hours your staff have worked over a set period. It also includes the total hours worked, helping you speed up your HR tasks.
Dec 2020
BrightHR's payroll navigator is here!
Use it to store employee details and run reports, so you can generate important information quickly whenever you need to submit payroll reports to HMRC.
Dec 2020
BrightSafe update: 102 new risk assessment templates added
We are pleased to announce that we have added 102 new risk assessment templates to the BrightSafe Risk Assessment Library, bringing the total number of risk assessment templates to 466.
Nov 2020
New e-learning course: Preparing method statements
This course gives you an understanding of what a method statement is, how to create a method statement and the difference between a method statement and a risk assessment.
Nov 2020
BrightSafe update: Risk assessments
You can now add attachments to hazards in risk assessments, which allows you to add supporting evidence as part of your risk assessments creation and review processes.
Nov 2020
New accessibility feature
We’ve integrated Android’s TalkBack and Apple’s VoiceOver screen reader features with the BrightHR mobile app, helping to make your BrightHR even more accessible!
Nov 2020
New e-learning course: Infection Control in Care
BrightSafe users can now stay up-to-date with the latest control measures and best practices to reduce infections in their workplace—including sections on COVID-19.
Nov 2020
Announcement: BrightHR’s brand-new integration with Starling Bank
We've teamed up with Starling Bank to help support even more small businesses navigating their way through the coronavirus pandemic.
Oct 2020
Updated: PoP
You can now approve or decline your staff expenses in bulk.
Oct 2020
Updated: Blip
Following client feedback, users are now able to add notes to their shift when clocking in. We've also updated the Blip event screens, making it even easier for our users to see their shift, break and reminder details.
Oct 2020
New gender diversity update
Our new non-binary gender identity update helps you promote an inclusive workplace.
Oct 2020
Blip integration with BrightHR
Admins and managers are now able to see who's clocked in on Blip directly from their BrightHR dashboard.
Oct 2020
BrightSafe helpline is now available 24/7
BrightSafe users can speak to our qualified health & safety experts anytime, 24/7, so they can always be confident the right information is just a phone call away.
Oct 2020
6 million Blips!
We've reached 6 million blips! We're so proud to have achieved this global milestone #NowIsTheBrightTime.
Oct 2020
Updated: Redundancy navigator tool
Admins and managers can now create a handy redundancy folder from any of the redundancy plans that have been created on BrightHR.
Oct 2020
Get expert advice even quicker
Now you can use your BrightHR app to call one of our expert HR advisors in a tap.
Oct 2020
Enable notifications via the new Settings page
Get handy notifications about new updates and features via the BrightHR app. This is will be automatically enabled and can be managed via the new Settings page.
Oct 2020
Celebratory animations
Employees will now see fun animations on their birthday or work anniversary, helping to improve employee engagement!
Oct 2020
New Sensitive Information Report
This helps you identify the employee documents set to expire before the Brexit transition period ends on 31st December 2020. Head to the Report page to download it now.
Sep 2020
Smart Reminders
With our new Smart Reminders feature, users will receive a handy reminder to clock out when they’re due to finish their shift, all based on their BrightHR working pattern or rota!
Sep 2020
New BrightSafe dashboard
Check the status of your tasks, view risk assessments, and create accident reports - all from one central hub.
Aug 2020
5 million Blips
Just 3 months after we hit 4 million global clock-ins, we've now surpassed a massive 5 million!
Aug 2020
Read receipts
Admins and managers can now request read receipts from their employees when uploading documents into the company folder. Plus with real-time updates, check the date and time that your employee has viewed the document.
Aug 2020
Now updated: Redundancy navigator tool
Use the new redundancy planner to lead you safely through each step of the redundancy process. Check off tasks as you go and download regular reports to track your progress help avoid costly legal mistakes.
Aug 2020
Blip reminders
You asked for it, and we listened. You can now set reminders to end your breaks and clock out. Just set the duration of your shift or break and Blip will send you an automatic notification.
Jul 2020
New product: Redundancy navigator
Introducing our new redundancy navigator tool. Get expert online tools and 24/7 advice to help make redundancy as stress-free as possible.
Jun 2020
New look ‘Who’s off today’ dashboard tile
Our newly designed 'Who's off today' tile gives clients a detailed insight into the absences within their business, making the approval process much easier.
Jun 2020
BrightHR now supports flexible furlough absence
Admins and managers can now add flexible furlough absences through BrightHR's Furlough Navigator. This information will then be available in the furlough report, supporting clients in making claims through the Government Job Retention Scheme.
Jun 2020
Introducing BrightSafe
It's brand-new health & safety software that helps you to meet the latest government guidelines & get your people back to work safely.
Jun 2020
Update to the Blip timesheet report
Admins & managers can now generate a report that will show the number of shifts and hours worked, break duration & the total hours worked excluding breaks.
May 2020
4 million Blips
Another milestone for Blip! After reaching 3 million global clock-ins in February, we have now surpassed 4 million.
May 2020
Get your business back on it’s feet with BrightHR’s Back to Work Navigator
The brand-new hub that helps you manage all your back to work processes in one place.
Apr 2020
Protect your staff’s privacy with Blip
Admins can now set geolocations as private so the details of employees' home addresses remain hidden.
Apr 2020
Furlough navigator tool
BrightHR’s brand-new furlough navigator tool gives employers one place to record all their essential staff information and reduces the time it takes to submit wage claims.
Apr 2020
Send alerts with BrightHR
Admins and Managers can now use BrightHR to send alerts directly to employees through the notifications tab in settings.
Mar 2020
Blip geo
Blip's geolocation feature is now available to help you manage staff working from different locations.
Feb 2020
3 million Blips
Blip usage keeps growing. Less than 3 months after passing 2 million global clock-ins, we surpassed 3 million.
Jan 2020
New feature: Employees requesting absences using TOIL balance
Employees can now create absence requests using their TOIL balance and submit to their Manager for approval.
2019
Dec 2019
New feature: Notification of personal information updates
Managers and Administrators are now alerted of updates to employee personal information to help you make sure records are kept up to date.
Nov 2019
2 million Blips
Blip usage keeps growing. Less than 6 months after passing 1 million global clock-ins, we surpassed 2 million.
Oct 2019
Australia and New Zealand launch
BrightHR's award-winning software is now available in Australia & New Zealand.
Sep 2019
New product: BrightInsure
Now you can safeguard your business's future with BrightInsure. It’s optional legal expenses insurance that gives you cover in unfair dismissal and indirect discrimination claims for up to £1 million.
Aug 2019
New feature: PoP by BrightHR
Manage staff expenses with ease and approve them on the go.
Jun 2019
New feature: Document reminders
Get instant notifications for important dates, such as when it’s time to renew an employee’s driving licence.
Jun 2019
New feature: Notes
Make notes against employee profiles so you can jot down any important information.
May 2019
1 million Blips
Soon after celebrating Blip's 1st birthday, we surpassed more than 1 million global clock-ins.
Apr 2019
New feature: BrightInform
Access thousands of resources, guides, and tools for professionals in one easy-to use online platform.
Jan 2019
New BrightAdvice mobile app
The BrightAdvice app lets BrightAdvice customers get quick legal support on the go. Plus, keep tabs on the support we’ve given them.
2018
Dec 2018
Added mandatory leave to BrightHR
This new improvement makes booking mandatory leave for your staff easy.
Nov 2018
Launched: Bright Wellbeing & Counselling
Our complete employee assistance programme Bright Wellbeing & Counselling now offers face-to-face counselling. Plus, access to online self-help tools to put your people in control of their wellbeing.
Oct 2018
New feature: Time off in Lieu (TOIL)
This new feature lets you keep a record of the TOIL your staff earn and help them to book TOIL as an absence.
Sep 2018
Launched: BrightSafe
We launched BrightSafe our health & safety advice line to help protect businesses with jargon free advice from qualified health & safety specialists.
Sep 2018
New calendar
Enjoy an easier-to-use calendar with a grid view and new filters.
Sep 2018
Ireland launch
BrightHR’s now available in Ireland.
Jul 2018
Variable hour employee lateness
Check lateness for casual workers on your app.
Jul 2018
Extra absence types
Choose from more absence types like adoption and shared parental leave.
Jul 2018
New and improved employee profile
Based on customer feedback, we made the employee profile easier to use and with a clearer absence tab.
May 2018
GDPR report
Export all the information you hold on your staff in our employee details report.
May 2018
Update to mobile planner
Based on customer feedback we improved the planner on our mobile app.
May 2018
Assign start date to working time pattern
Set a working time pattern from a specific date in the past.
May 2018
Holiday entitlement in hours
Regular employees can now enter their holiday request in hours and minutes.
Apr 2018
Share documents securely
Control whether to share or hide important documents from your staff.
Apr 2018
New feature: Blip by BrightHR
Free clocking in and out app available to BrightHR customers.
Mar 2018
Canada mobile launch
BrightHR’s now available on mobile in Canada.
Jan 2018
Employee start date and leave year
Amend an employee’s start date or leave year on their profile.
Jan 2018
New feature: HR documents
Use document templates to create your own. Exclusive to BrightAdvice customers.
2017
Dec 2017
Holiday carryover
Carry over leftover annual leave into the next year for your staff.
Oct 2017
Payroll exceptions report
Download this new report to see all approved absences over a set period. This will help you to complete payroll.
Sep 2017
Variable hour employees
Set up BrightHR for staff that work casual or irregular hours.
Sep 2017
Canada launch
BrightHR’s now available on desktop in Canada.
Aug 2017
Rota improvements
Update includes being able to remove shifts from rotas, add notes to shifts and access rotas on your mobile.
Aug 2017
BrightHR Alexa skill
Ask Alexa who is absent today and get a response without stopping your work. Plus, say “brewlette” and Alexa will randomly pick one of your team to make a cuppa.
Mar 2017
New feature: BrightEAP
Confidential wellbeing advice line launches for BrightHR customers.
Jan 2017
New feature: Shifts and rotas
Enjoy a simpler way to make shifts and rotas. Plus, share them with your staff instantly.
2016
Aug 2016
Holiday requests conflict
Get a notification when multiple staff request the same time off.
Aug 2016
Peninsula integration
Peninsula clients can now use their Portal through BrightHR.
Aug 2016
Sickness timeline
View a timeline of logged sickness.
May 2016
Ongoing absence notifications
Get prompts to ask an employee for a fit note or to record their first day back to work.
May 2016
New Feature: BrightAdvice
Employment law helpline with qualified legal advisors launches for BrightHR customers.
Mar 2016
New feature: Document storage
Keep all of your employee documents in one place with unlimited HR document storage.
Mar 2016
Android mobile app
BrightHR’s mobile app now available to Android users.
2015
Nov 2015
First release of BrightHR
Features include:
- Regular employees.
- Seven-day working time patterns.
- BrightHR iOS mobile app.
- Instant notifications for managers and employees.
Nov 2015
BrightHR Launch
BrightHR Launch Party