By: Shem Albert
Hiring used to be a fragmented process for Canada’s small businesses: fast when it worked, frustrating when it didn’t, and rarely built for compliance. Folks HR recognized these challenges and acted quickly. With the 2024 acquisition of Glow Talents, the company launched Folks ATS, a recruitment system designed to bring together efficiency, structure, and regulatory assurance in one platform. It’s more than just a tool. It’s a rethink of how hiring can work.
Simplifying Hiring from Start to Finish
Folks ATS transforms recruitment into a more seamless process: employers can post jobs to over 2,000 boards, including LinkedIn, Indeed, and Jobillico, with a single click. Behind the scenes, resumes, cover letters, and recruiter notes funnel into a centralized database. Recruiters then use powerful keyword filters and AI-powered relevance scoring to sift through applicants with greater precision and speed.
The system’s real-time dashboard delivers over 20 performance indicators, from time-to-hire to funnel conversion rates, offering talent teams a clear view of their hiring pipeline. By bringing these enterprise-level tools to Canadian SMEs, Folks ATS reduces complexity without sacrificing valuable insights.
Streamlining Candidate Communication
Folks ATS doesn’t just organize resumes. It manages the entire conversation. Recruiters get a suite of automated email templates that keep applicants informed with branded and professional messages: interview invites, status updates, and rejection notes. No radio silence. No messy inbox improvisation. Just a consistent, cohesive candidate experience from first touch to final offer.
And when it comes to first impressions, Folks HR gives companies the stage. Mobile-friendly, bilingual career pages aren’t just an add-on. They’re built into the platform. Every posting reflects the employer’s tone, logo, and culture, delivering clarity and professionalism in both French and English. In a market where professionalism matters and language is crucial, that’s not just a benefit, it’s an essential.
Compliance and Security Built In
Folks ATS does not just speak English and French; it also complies with the regulations Canada demands. The platform’s built-in Law 25 compliance module means employers in the province can navigate privacy laws with ease. Folks HR further demonstrated its commitment by earning SOC 2 Type 2 certification in November 2024, signaling adherence to international standards for data security and operational controls.
For industries where privacy is a priority—healthcare, finance, and education—these certifications are not just badges. They represent a safeguard, assuring businesses that sensitive employee information remains protected.
Connecting Recruitment to Broader HR Functions
Once candidates are hired through Folks ATS, their data flows seamlessly into Folks HR’s wider platform, covering onboarding, performance evaluations, and absence tracking. This integration eliminates redundant data entry and creates a single source of truth throughout the employee lifecycle.
For small and medium-sized businesses operating with limited IT support, this unified system offers a notable advantage: the ability to manage recruitment and HR operations through one platform. Consistent data streams reduce friction, freeing HR teams to focus on strategy rather than software maintenance.
Ongoing Innovation and Strategic Positioning
Folks HR continues to refine its ATS with a focus on key features. Recent upgrades have expanded LinkedIn sourcing capabilities, improved career page builders, and enhanced recruitment analytics. The company’s gaze is firmly set on deeper integration with core HR functions, aiming to smooth workflows and ensure compliance for Canadian businesses.
Behind this push lies a $4.5 million funding round secured in early 2024, helping Folks HR strengthen its position in the country’s HR tech landscape. By pairing bilingual support with continuous platform development, the company positions itself as a reliable partner for SMBs that need both efficiency and compliance in their hiring process.
Folks HR stands at the forefront of transforming recruitment for Canadian small and medium-sized businesses. By uniting automation, compliance, and bilingual support within a single platform, it empowers organizations to hire faster, smarter, and with greater confidence. As Folks HR advances its platform and expands HR integration, it continues to redefine how Canadian SMBs attract, onboard, and retain talent for the long term.
