Three is the magic number: Why one leader implemented Employment Hero at three different startups
At a glance
Company
Extend Robotics
Location
England
Employees
15
Explore this case study if:
- You rely on the best tech to power your business and stay competitive
- You’re part of a small team and want to save hours of your week through automation
- You’re looking for a system that keeps all information in one place
In cutting-edge industries like robotics and AI, lean teams move fast and people leaders must stay agile. At Extend Robotics, a startup building 3D virtual reality interfaces and robotic teleoperation, there was no room for clunky systems. Violina Stoeva, an experienced People Operations Manager working across early-stage tech companies, needed a system that could do more than just store data. By implementing Employment Hero at not one, not two, but three different companies, she’s been able to save hours every week through automation, structured processes and introduced scalable tools that grow with the business.
The Challenge
Startup pace, system shutdown
Violina was working as a contractor for Extend Robotics when her previous HR software vendor unexpectedly shut down. Overnight, Violina was met with huge challenges:
- Loss of HR functionality due to the vendor shutdown, creating an operational risk
- Juggling fast-moving responsibilities without a reliable system
- The need to automate essential processes like onboarding, time off, and employee records
Violina knew she needed a platform that offered structure, visibility, and gave valuable time back, so it was the perfect moment to reassess her options. Instead of searching for just a replacement, she was on the hunt for an upgrade.
“I have always aimed to automate everything because I don’t like working without an HR platform. I just know the struggle would be too huge without one.”
The Solution
The smarter platform that wins every time
Over the last couple of years, Violina has worked across three different startups. At each one, she made the same decision: to bring in Employment Hero.
“I’ve used Employment Hero at two previous companies, and now we’re just signing up at a third company because of my recommendation.”
Violina had trialled other platforms, but chose Employment Hero over and over again for one key reason: its all-in-one capabilities. Most platforms only solved part of the puzzle, offering recruitment but no performance tools, or onboarding but no reporting. Employment Hero was the only one that offered everything she needed, without switching between systems.
End-to-end HR, now in one place
From the moment she first logged in, Employment Hero has helped Violina centralise and speed up her tasks. The Applicant Tracking System (ATS) quickly became a time-saving essential, allowing her to drag and drop CVs, automatically fill profiles, and keep hiring managers updated with ease.
“The recruitment tool is my favourite feature because it’s really well designed. The AI is so helpful and builds candidates’ profiles into the ATS from their CVs in one click. I don’t have to spend time retyping anything. It just works.”
And now, onboarding is a seamless practice. With task assignment, asset tracking and custom checklists built in, Violina could hand off responsibilities across teams without chasing emails.
Evolving tools that support structured growth
For Violina, performance management functionality was a must-have, and Employment Hero delivered. As part of the Core HR functionality, 360 reviews, team and individual goal tracking, and built-in review cycles gave her a repeatable framework to support employee development.
“It’s great that performance management and 360 reviews are all built into the system. I can see everything in one place, documented clearly. I couldn’t imagine not using the Goals feature for team and individual tracking now. Every time I log on there is a new update making things easier.”
And as she’s grown within each role, so has the platform’s capabilities. Features like the Learning Management System (LMS), Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) access and the HR Advisory service have added even more long-term value.
The Impact
Better tracking. Less chasing. Time back every week
By consolidating tools, automating manual work, and enabling smarter HR processes, Violina now completes tasks in record time. Thanks to Employment Hero, Violina has:
- Saved hours every week through automation and streamlining manual tasks.
- Replaced spreadsheets with structured processes, using one centralised system for all HR activity.
- Access to a host of scalable tools that grow with the business.
Across the three early-stage tech companies, Employment Hero has consistently delivered for Violina, allowing her to focus more on strategic tasks with the time she’s been given back.
“I’ve saved a couple of hours every week through Employment Hero’s automations and I love having everything structured in one place. Employment Hero keeps getting better and better.”
The world’s first Employment Operating System from Employment Hero
Employment Hero’s Employment Operating System (OS) is more than just a platform–we’ve taken the traditional isolated aspects of employment and integrated them into a seamless, human and AI-powered solution that empowers employers, employees and job seekers alike. Find and hire top talent with SmartMatch, seamlessly onboard new hires, automate complex payroll, drive employee engagement and more.
See what you could do with the world’s first Employment OS.
One system. Everything employment.
