The inaugural SHRMLabs Better Workplaces Challenge Cup competition highlights the most innovative HR technology solutions from companies across the U.S.
The five finalists were selected from 150 initial submissions and stood out among 51 regional finalists. They will go on to make their
last pitch to a panel of judges, including Daymond John, award-winning entrepreneur and star of ABC's "Shark Tank," as well as an audience of investors, leading HR professionals, fellow innovators and the media. The pitch fest will be held Sept. 10 at the
SHRM Annual Conference & Expo 2021, and the winner will be announced from the main stage Sept. 11 by SHRM President and Chief Executive Officer Johnny C. Taylor, Jr., SHRM-SCP.
Here's a look at one of the finalists: TiLT, a leave management platform based in Fort Collins, Colo. 
Jennifer Henderson, founder and CEO of TiLT, spoke with
SHRM Online about the product and how it improves work and the practice of human resources.
SHRM Online: What does your product do?
Henderson: Our platform and team of leave experts help companies balance empathy with economics during life's most cherished and challenging events. We handle communication, process, coordination, administration and support during employee leaves.
Our software and process integrate each client company's leave policies, established forms and/or processes to their TiLT platform. We then provide personalized leave plans for managers, HR and employees—inclusive of FMLA [Family and Medical Leave Act] forms, state leave paperwork, payroll calculations, and educational resources to ensure compliance, clarity and easy communication. Our process insulates the talent pipeline [and] reduces bias and legal risks, all while amplifying engagement and employer loyalty.
SHRM Online: How does the technology improve the workplace?
Henderson: We are working to break down the stigma, administrative nightmare and potential turnover caused by leave in the workplace. The time is now for people to have a way to truly integrate work and life.
Leave management doesn't have to suck, and that's why we are shaking things up and setting the new global standard for leave management. To make work … work for everyone. Time to give leave some love.
We are working to abolish the penalty of caregiving, stigma of parental leave and antiquated employee leave processes to allow emerging generations to truly level the playing field for pay equality and equal representation in key leadership positions. Our company will turn rhetoric into results for organizations that aspire to do better by their employees. Our process gives them a turnkey way to do that, which will not only embolden goodwill and reputation but also have a direct cost savings to turnover.
SHRM Online: What specific HR problem does the technology solve?
Henderson: Today, leave is managed by Excel documents, Google sheets and e-mail exchanges. The risk to organizations for not storing FMLA paperwork properly, having ill-educated managers, and fearful employees navigate the leave process on their own can result in massive talent attrition, litigation risk, disengagement, bias risk and administrative inefficiencies. TiLT streamlines the entire process by guiding and supporting all stakeholders every step of the way.