Every company is made up of several departments. From marketing to finance, it is easy for people to understand the job roles.
But when it comes to HR? The confusion begins…
According to research, about one million HR employees are working for a total of 380,000 businesses. And the HR industry is all set to grow at a 12.8% annual rate.
So what are these employees doing? Is there job only about recruiting and firing people? Or is there more to the field of human resource management? This blog will answer it all.
Keep reading to know what HR does and why it is an extremely important asset for an organization.
What is Human Resource Management?
The field of human resource management is all about the workforce of the company. This department is responsible for handling all the employee-related concerns. An HR manager takes care of every employee’s journey in a company.
From recruitment, job satisfaction surveys, to dealing with the resignation process, a human resources department deals with multiple aspects.
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And the story doesn’t end here… there is more to it.
- This department deals with the day-to-day concerns of employees
- They track employees’ working hours
- They distribute salaries
- They create policies
- And basically work on everything to make employees happy while maximizing their productivity levels for the company.
And what makes this career unique? Yes, it is the balanced approach that it takes to make employees happy, but also to get the work done from them.
Skills Required for Working in the HR Department
From people to payrolls- HR is a vast field that requires handling multiple responsibilities. The table below will summarize all the skills it takes to become an ideal HR professional.
| Communication | HR professionals need to effectively communicate and deliver the company’s aims to business partners and employees. |
| Conflict management | Vital for maintaining a peaceful and productive environment. |
| Decision making | Required for hiring the right employees and building a strong workforce. |
| Multitasking | To ensure all job responsibilities are prioritized, especially under high-pressure situations. |
| Empathy | To understand the problems and find solutions for people effectively. |
| Active listening | To analyze the candidates during interviews and build trust among existing employees. |
| Problem solving | To resolve the daily concerns of employees. |
| Management | For creating project plans and allocating resources. |
What Exactly Happens in the HR Department?
HR departments may vary from one organization to another. For small businesses, an individual may be responsible for handling all the job responsibilities. However, large businesses have a proper team for this department.
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The HR department is responsible for managing the most important assets of a company- the employees. Their role is to take care of their needs and keep them happy to boost morale throughout the company.
Let’s take a look at the job responsibilities of people belonging to the HR department.
1. Recruitment and Termination
The job of an HR professional is mostly defined on this basis. From finding the right candidates to ensuring a smooth onboarding process, HR professional fills the vacancies with ideal candidates.
This includes,
- Creating accurate job descriptions
- Evaluating resumes
- Conducting job interviews
- Offering the job contract
- Managing the onboarding process
And it’s not always about welcoming the employees. An HR manager also deals with the paperwork associated with resignations and firings. Moreover, they ensure successful returns of company equipment and any other access mediums.
2. Updating Company Policies
The HR department especially works for people, but the company comes first. When a business operates on a large scale or is expanding, it constantly requires changes in its documentation. Human resource managers ensure that people are aware of these decisions by,
- Updating company policies
- Educating employees regarding the policies
- Creating relevant policies that contribute to an impressive corporate image
- Creating staffing plans that meet the workforce needs for achieving the business objectives.
3. Performance Management
Performance management helps with optimizing employee performance levels and encourages them to work on their jobs with their full potential. This is done by,
- Setting clear goals and expectations
- Aligning employee goals with the company objectives
- Providing detailed performance feedback
- Monitoring the progress towards the goals
- Evaluating the overall performance of the employee
This strategy contributes to profitable outcomes for the business as well as career progressions for the employee.
4. Employee compensation and benefits
HR professionals ensure that top talent is attracted to the organization and that existing employees are retained by offering them rewards. These include,
- Market-competitive salaries
- Bonuses
- Insurance
- Flexible working hours
5. Monitor Employee Satisfaction
The job role isn’t only about hiring the employee. HR managers need to ensure that the employees are happy and satisfied. They work on employee engagement levels by,
- Tracking and interpreting employee satisfaction levels
- Providing them with career development options
- Training employees to build a sense of achievement
6. Handle and Investigate Complaints
Complaints from employees and regarding employees- both should be handled professionally by the HR manager. They do this by,
- Conducting disciplinary investigations for the issues arisen
- Demonstrating fairness and transparency in decisions to boost morale
- Creating a safe working environment that meets professional standards
7. Managing Records
An essential aspect of an HR department is to maintain the documents associated with each employee and the company. These include,
- Applications
- Payrolls
- Benefit plans
The documents are helpful for routine HR activities and serve as evidence for the company’s alignment with the industry regulations.
8. Support Employee Well-Being
HR practices also include creating a secure workplace for employees and providing them with a comfortable work environment. This also applies to employees with health concerns. The HR team actively listens to the employees dealing with issues and,
- Accommodates them with a suitable solution
- Offers them resources for mental health support
- Promotes work-life balance
- Provide flexible work arrangements
Wrapping Up
Becoming a successful HR professional requires a holistic approach. A human resource department paints a business’s picture in the professional world. It represents the company by treating people the right way.
Many successful businesses are built on one thing- a satisfied and motivated team. And only a human resource management department can ensure that the right talent is hired and retained in the company.