Regardless of its size, every organisation requires an effective human resources department to manage its workforce. You may already be aware of the existence of a HR department but you might be wondering what the role actually involves. In this CPD article, we outline what a human resources role entails and the benefits of undertaking an online HR course.
What does Human Resources (HR) mean?
Human resources (HR) makes up the department of a company that is tasked with finding, screening, recruiting, and training job applicants. HR plays a key role in helping companies deal with a fast-changing business environment and a greater demand for quality employees.
What does a HR role usually entail?
The Human resources (HR) department is responsible for managing the employee life cycle. The three main roles in human resources are; administrative, change management, and people management. We have detailed a list of HR responsibilities below that you will typically encounter working in the role:
1. Recruitment and Employee Screening - HR professionals are usually at the forefront of the recruitment process. They will be present at a candidate's first interview and work with hiring managers. HR professionals will also help with any onboarding processes to transition new employees to their new working environment.
2. Company Benefits and Compensation - Maintaining payroll, benefits, and company culture is an essential responsibility for the HR department. HR professionals will monitor employee pay and ensure adherence to all company cultural standards.
3. Performance Evaluation - Assessing performance is an essential tasks of the human resources department. They will implement tools to gather data, and use that to analyse and report back to company executives.
4. Employee Relations - The HR department is responsible for maintaining and managing employee relations. They aim to maintain a safe and healthy working environment whilst resolving any issues or disputes among employees.
5. Enforcement of Disciplinary Actions - HR can protect a business’s reputation by implementing rules and disciplinary actions. HR professionals can use effective communication to resolve internal disputes helping to build a better work environment.
6. Employee Records – HR have a responsibility to manage all employee records, all documents need to be stored while following a specific security protocol. They need to ensure sensitive company data is protected as many company records contain sensitive information.
7. Continued Education - Learning opportunities in the workplace are an excellent way to encourage company growth. HR professionals are responsible for finding and implementing training programs to ensure that employees are operating at their best each year.