PeopleNest Essentials
Set up in minutes. Easy to use. Help when you need it.
HR tools made easy for small businesses
Trusted by 13,000+ companies
PeopleNest Essentials
PeopleNest Essentials is software but it exists to serve people.
We’ve created a set of secure, modular tools to help you manage your most valuable resource…people.
Take rota management for example, we’ve designed it to nail the basics, freeing up your time and taking the stress out of changes and curveballs.
All of our products work on phones, tablets and computers so that all of your people are clear all of the time.
Get started in under 5 minutes – just a few simple steps and you’re ready to begin adding employees to the system
PeopleNest Essentials Features:
Manage schedules and time off with ease
Whether you’ve got part-timers, flexible hours, or last-minute leave requests, PeopleNest simplifies it all. Build tailored working patterns and approve leave in a click – so you can avoid rota clashes and keep operations running smoothly.
Protect sensitive employee data with confidence
Small businesses often lack dedicated HR or IT support. With PeopleNest, you can control who sees what through user permissions, ensuring GDPR compliance and data security without any technical fuss.
Keep key documents safe and accessible
Storing contracts, certifications, and ID documents digitally means no more rifling through filing cabinets. PeopleNest gives you secure, cloud-based access to essential files anytime – ideal for owners who need instant oversight without the admin burden.
Stay organised with centralised employee records
For small business owners juggling multiple roles, having all employee data – from contact details to job history – in one secure place makes day-to-day management quicker, easier, and far less stressful.
Get support when you need it
Running a business can be unpredictable. That’s why PeopleNest offers help via chat, email or phone – so if you hit a snag, you’ll always have someone to turn to without wasting time searching for answers.
Rota management
Create and manage rotas with ease, now available to PeopleNest users.
Book a demo and start your free trial today
No, it’s not an AI bot, that’s Louis (an actual person…nice person) in the picture and he can help you get set up on PeopleNest Essentials. Book a call at a time that suits you.
“We chose to adopt PeopleNest over other systems because of its look and feel, its functional effectiveness, and above all the excellent help we had from the WorkNest team when we were coming to a decision.
Our HR Team love every aspect of the system – it’s easy to administer and extremely flexible. Above all, customer service is far beyond our expectations.”
Paul Stone
Group HR Director, Uniserve Group
Popular FAQs
Common queries about PeopleNest Essentials and Rota.
How quickly can I start using PeopleNest Essentials?
With our Quick Setup feature, you can get started in under 5 minutes. Just follow a few simple steps to set up your company and begin adding employees.
How much training will I need to complete before using the system?
When you first log in, our in-system tutorial will guide you through the setup process, then give you an interactive tour to show you how each of the features works. You’ll then be able to access further information at the touch of a button at any time using WorkNest Help
How is employee information stored?
All employee data is stored in a secure, integrated Employee Database that complies with data protection regulations.
How are holiday entitlements managed?
You can set a default holiday allowance for your company, with the flexibility to customize it for individual employees based on their working patterns.
How do employees request leave?
Employees can submit leave requests directly through the system. Requests are automatically routed to the appropriate manager for approval.
Is there a calendar or planner for leave?
Yes. The Leave Planner provides a visual, colour-coded view of leave, helping managers and teams coordinate time off effectively.
Where are employee documents stored?
All contracts and documents are stored securely in our central Document Storage, accessible only to authorised users.
Do I have to buy the same amount of user licences for the Rota Module as I have employees in PeopleNest?
We want to make sure you are only paying for what you need, so if not all of your employees need to added to shifts on the rota, you can simply just buy the amount you need.
How does the Rota Module support multiple locations?
You can create unlimited rota locations, each with its own schedule, visibility settings, and staff assignments.
Can I reuse rota schedules?
Yes. Rota Templates let you save and reuse shift schedules for recurring patterns, saving time on planning.
What are open shifts and how do they work?
With Open Shifts, managers can publish unassigned shifts that eligible employees can express interest in. Final assignments are controlled by the manager.
Are there tools to make rota creation easier?
Yes. Use drag-and-drop and copy-paste tools to build or adjust schedules quickly. You can also use Auto Shift Creation to generate shifts based on employee working patterns.
