What if the biggest benefit of better HR technology wasn't efficiency but finally getting a good night's sleep?
Having spent a 40-year career in the HR space, Michelle Windley has seen firsthand the trials and tribulations professionals in the sector face on a daily basis. And these observations have led to one defining belief.
“That technology can solve real problems - not create new ones,” she told HRD.
As the CEO of Klaimki, Windley has put this belief into action, creating a platform that helps managers handle workers' compensation, short-term and long-term disability and non-occupational absences - all in one place.
“At Klaimki, our role is to help employers rethink how to manage workplace incidents by removing administrative burdens,” explained Windley. “What I enjoy the most is seeing people get back time and mental energy that allows them to focus on the parts of their job that make the biggest difference for their employees.”
And it’s certainly an area that many HR leaders need assistance in. According to Statistic Canada, one in five working-age Canadians in the labour force experiences some form of disability, with the most common being linked to pain, mental health and flexibility. What’s more, research from RBC Insurance Services found that while only 50% of Canadians have disability coverage, 68% of workers have actually required time off.
For HR managers, it’s a fragile path to tread between wanting to help workers get back to their full potential while also having to manage copious amounts of paperwork and legal documentation. For Windley, this is where the power of streamlined workflows comes into play.
Say goodbye to CYA emails
“So many customers talk about how their inbox is filled with emails they have been copied on that have no impact on their job requirements,” she told HRD. “We affectionately call them the copy-everyone or ‘CYA’ emails. Often this practice results from an individual not escalating a serious event. The response is to copy everyone on everything ‘just in case’. The work hours lost reviewing, filing, or deleting emails that don't require action are staggering and increase the risk of important emails being missed.”
Klaimki's system access and workflows eliminate the ‘just in case’ inbox influx. A lot of what Windley’s team does when they begin working with customers is learn about their process, which often involves the question – why? And sometimes the answer is difficult to find.
“Years ago, I had a client with many reports that they ‘required’,” added Windley. “As a result, various statistical reports were populated and distributed throughout the organization. In discussions with the customer, we asked the question…why do these reports exist and who is reading them? It turned out the reports were created years ago and no one knew their purpose.
“So, we undertook an experiment. Working with the director, we started eliminating reports one at a time without notifications. No one noticed.
“That experience reinforced an important lesson: processes have a way of outliving their purpose. At Klaimki, users have access to powerful, real-time analytics that allow them to generate the reports they need, when they need them, rather than producing and distributing reports that may never be read.”
For HR leaders, the benefit speaks for itself – actually being able to sleep at night. That fear of having missed an important email or overlooked a crucial form can weigh heavy on both HR and claims teams, leading to more stress and less rest. It’s also something Windley has seen all too often.
‘People shouldn’t have to carry that burden’
“I noticed it after years of speaking with HR and claims professionals,” she told HRD. “They're incredibly dedicated people carrying enormous responsibility. Many told me they constantly worried about what they might have forgotten - not because they weren't organized, but because they were managing hundreds of deadlines manually.
“I've had people tell me they wake up in the middle of the night wondering if they sent the right form, followed up with the right person, or missed an important deadline. That's not because they're failing, it's because they're relying on memory to manage complex workflows. People shouldn’t have to carry that burden.”
Importantly, Windley is clear that this new wave of innovative tech isn’t there to fully automate the role of HR professionals, rather it’s there to enhance it.
“I think a lot of us give way too much credit to technology and not enough recognition to empathy, judgment and experience. How many of us get frustrated trying to fix a problem by using a chatbot? Or cycling around repeatedly in a phone system? We are frustrated because all of us are unique, and so are our problems.
“The value HR brings has never been filling out forms or sending reminder emails. It is in solving problems, supporting employees, coaching leaders, and managing complex situations. Technology can’t replace thoughtful decisions and personal engagement. Technology doesn’t replace HR; it eliminates repetitive work that keeps talented professionals from using their skills.”
For leaders in this space, platforms like Klaimki help take on the repetitive and time-consuming tasks allowing practitioners to focus on what’s more important.
“HR professionals didn't choose this career because they wanted to manage paperwork and deadlines,” added Windley. “They chose it because they wanted to help people. Imagine having the time to analyze trends, identify opportunities for improvement, coach and develop managers, and focus on initiatives that strengthen the organization. Instead of spending the day managing a process, they’re improving outcomes for the whole team.”
‘Less paperwork means more conversations’
At the heart of the issue that Windley wants to address culminates in one phrase - less paperwork, more people work.
“That phrase really captures exactly what Klaimki allows HR, WCB and Disability managers to do. These roles aren’t about paperwork; they’re about people. Every minute spent entering a date, tracking deadlines, or sending routine reminders is time that isn’t being spent on the core objective of supporting people and improving workplace culture.
“Technology should quietly manage the administrative work in the background so HR professionals can spend their time where they create the greatest value. Less paperwork means more conversations, better decisions, stronger relationships, and healthier workplaces.”
Klaimki will be attending HRD Canada’s upcoming HRFest on November 10-11, 2026 at Rebel, Toronto. Book your tickets here!
This article was created in partnership with Klaimki
