What Does HR Do? [10 Responsibilities Of The Human Resource Department]

 

What does HR do? HR is one of the most essential departments in any company. While they may not be responsible for making products or providing services, HR is responsible for ensuring that the people who do are productive and happy.

This is no easy task, but it’s essential to the success of any business. In this blog post, we’ll take a look at the different roles and responsibilities of HR professionals. We’ll also explore how they can help your company grow and succeed. So if you’re interested in learning more about HR, read on!

What Is A Human Resources Department?

The human resources department is responsible for a wide range of tasks. They’re responsible for recruiting and hiring employees, training and development, employee relations, and more. In short, they’re accountable for anything and everything related to the people who work for your company.

While HR may not be the most glamorous department in a company, they play a vital role in ensuring that the company runs smoothly. Without HR, companies would have a hard time attracting and retaining top talent. They would also have a hard time keeping track of employee performance and ensuring that everyone is happy with their job.

What Does HR Do?

 

When asked, most employees would say that the human resources department is responsible for layoffs and policy violations. While this is true, there are many other responsibilities that fall under the HR umbrella.

So what does HR do? Let’s take a look at the different roles and responsibilities of the HR department.

1. Recruit Candidates

One of the most important roles of human resource management is to recruit candidates for open positions. They work with the management team to identify the skills and experience needed for each position. They also post job openings, screen applicants, and conduct interviews.

In order to attract top talent, HR must ensure that the company’s job postings are clear and concise. They should also highlight the company’s culture and values. HR professionals use a variety of methods to find qualified candidates. These methods include online job boards, social media, employee referrals, and recruiting agencies.

The goal of recruitment is to find individuals who are a good fit for the company and the specific position. HR must also take into account both the applicant’s qualifications and the company’s needs.

2. Process Payroll

Another responsibility of HR is processing payroll. This includes calculating employee wages, withholding taxes, and issuing paychecks.

Payroll can be a complex and time-consuming task. This is why most HR professionals have a strong understanding of wage laws and tax regulations. They also need to stay up-to-date on any changes in these laws.

Processing payroll requires a high level of accuracy. Any mistake can lead to penalties from the government or angry employees. For this reason, many companies outsource their payroll to specialized firms. Outsourcing payroll gives companies peace of mind knowing that their employees will be paid accurately and on time. It also frees up HR professionals to focus on other tasks.

3. Conduct Disciplinary Actions

While no one likes to think about it, there will be times when employees need to be disciplined. This could be for something as minor as being late for work or something more serious, like stealing from the company. When an employee breaks a rule, human resource managers are charged with taking appropriate disciplinary actions.

Disciplinary actions can be challenging to deal with. HR professionals must ensure that they’re fair and consistent in their decisions. They also need to document everything carefully to avoid any legal problems down the road.

Here’s an excellent example of how HR can provide disciplinary action:

If a firm identifies an employee who is consistently late and continues being late even after receiving many admonishments, HR may intervene and look into the reason for the delay. It may be an opportunity to provide additional assistance to the employee for them to learn how to be on time.

4. Handle Employee Benefits

Employee benefits are another important responsibility of the HR department. This includes things like health insurance, retirement plans, and vacation days. The Human Resources Department works with benefit providers to set up these programs. They also handle any questions or problems that employees have with their benefits.

One of the most important aspects of employee benefits is open enrollment. This is the time when employees can sign up for or make changes to their benefits. HR departments help ensure that employees understand their options to make informed decisions about their coverage.

5. Conduct Training And Development Programs

The human resource department also conducts training and development programs. These programs are designed to improve employee skills and help them advance in their careers. HR professionals can also help employers identify skill gaps. Once they do, they can create or select appropriate training programs tailored to each employee.

Conducting training can be a challenge. This is because human resource managers need to ensure that these programs are exciting and engaging for employees. They also need to make sure that it meets the company’s needs.

After the training is complete, HR must follow up with employees to access their skill levels. They may also conduct surveys or interviews to get feedback about the program. This feedback is often used to make improvements for future training programs.

6. Providing Career Growth 

Human resources can support employees with career growth in numerous ways. They can provide information about job openings and help employees apply for positions. They can also offer guidance on career planning and development.

HR may also be involved in succession planning. This is the process of identifying high-potential employees and developing them to take on leadership roles in the future.

Succession planning is important for ensuring that a company has qualified leaders at all levels. It can also help to prevent disruptions when key employees leave the company.

7. Maintain Employee Records

Employee records are another vital responsibility of HR. This includes things like birthdays, contact information, performance reviews, and disciplinary actions.

HR must ensure that all employee records are accurate and up-to-date. They also need to keep track of where these records are stored and who has access to them.

Maintaining employee records can be challenging, and the law also mandates it. These documents assist employers in identifying skill gaps, as well as demographic data and regulations, during the hiring process.

8. Fostering A Safe Work Environment

Employee safety is another top priority for HR. They work with managers to identify potential hazards in the workplace. They also develop policies and procedures to help keep employees safe.

HR may also be responsible for investigating accidents and incidents that occur in the workplace. This can help to determine what went wrong and how to prevent it from happening again in the future.

Fostering a safe work environment requires HR to be proactive. They must constantly be on the lookout for potential hazards and take steps to mitigate them.

9. Maintaining Company Culture

Company culture is the shared values, beliefs, and behaviors of the people who work for a firm. It’s often one of the most important factors that employees consider when choosing a job.

HR plays a crucial role in maintaining company culture. They do this by attracting new employees who fit with the culture and helping to onboard them into the company. They also work with managers to create an environment where employees can thrive.

Maintaining company culture can be a challenge, especially as a company grows. This is why the HR department constantly communicates the importance of culture and reinforces it through actions.

10. Respond To Employee Concerns

Employees will inevitably have concerns throughout their time with a company. It’s HR’s job to listen to these concerns and help resolve them.

The first step is to create an environment where employees feel comfortable raising their concerns. This may include things like an open-door policy or an anonymous suggestion box. Once a concern is raised, HR works to resolve it in a timely and effective manner. This may involve working with managers, employees, or external firms.

Final Thoughts

 

A healthy human resources department is crucial in any company. They play a vital role in attracting, developing, and retaining employees. Without HR, companies would not be able to function properly.

If you’re interested in a career in HR, then there are many different paths you can take. There are many different roles and responsibilities that make up the job. But ultimately, it’s all about supporting the people who work for your company.

What are your thoughts on this article? Do you agree with everything that’s been said? Are there any other responsibilities of HR that you think should be mentioned? Let us know in the comments.

Need Help With Human Resources Management?

If you need help with human resources management or any other human resources function, reach out to us today. We would be happy to talk with you about your specific needs and see how we can help.