What Does Human Resources Do?

What does human resources do? Most think of human resources as people who process payroll or handle benefits. However, the human resources department is so much more than that.

The human resources department is responsible for ensuring employees have a positive experience at work. This includes everything from hiring and firing employees to training and development.

Without a strong HR department, organizations can quickly fall apart. In this blog post, we will explore the duties of an HR department and how they support employees.

Who Is A Human Resource Manager?

A human resource manager is a department or individual in an organization responsible for managing human capital. This includes recruiting and hiring employees, developing training and development programs, setting up policies and procedures, handling employee relations issues, and more.

Human resources are typically responsible for ensuring that the organization complies with employment and labor laws. Also, to ensure that employees are treated fairly and that all regulations are followed.

The human resources department works closely with executives and managers to develop policies, procedures, and training programs that ensure high-quality employees and a positive work environment.

Types Of Human Resources

Human Resources can be divided into two main categories: operational and strategic human resources.

Operational human resources: These are responsible for day-to-day activities, such as recruiting and hiring, administering benefits, and managing employee relations. They ensure that the organization complies with laws and regulations and that employees are treated fairly.

Strategic human resources: They focus on long-term human capital management. This includes developing training and development programs, setting up policies, conducting performance reviews, building relationships with key stakeholders, and implementing initiatives to improve employee morale.

What Does Human Resources Do?

Human resources are responsible for various duties, ranging from recruitment and hiring to employee relations. Some hr responsibilities include:

Recruiting And Hiring

HR is responsible for recruiting and hiring new employees that are best for the organization. This includes developing job postings, screening resumes, conducting interviews, negotiating salaries, and more.

Training And Development

HR is responsible for creating training programs that enable employees to reach their full potential. They also provide ongoing development opportunities to ensure that employees stay up-to-date on changes in the industry.

Compensation And Benefits

HR is responsible for setting up and administering benefits packages and determining employee compensation. Benefits, such as health insurance and vacation time. They are also responsible for handling any issues with employee benefits.

Handling Employee Relations

HR addresses any issues that may arise between employees or between management and employees. They are responsible for ensuring that all policies, procedures, and regulations are being followed to maintain a positive work environment.

Maintain Employee Records

The HR department maintains employee records, such as resumes, employment agreements, and performance reviews. These records help employers identify skill gaps to help with the hiring process, analyze demographic data and comply with regulations. Additionally, personal information as well as emergency contacts, are included in these documents.

Setting Up Policies

HR sets up policies that ensure the organization complies with laws and regulations. This includes developing codes of conduct, establishing policies for employee conduct, and more.

Administration

Besides overseeing the management of documents, Human Resources is well-known for monitoring files related to employees’ attendance, medical leave, holidays, and other data. They are also responsible for processing payroll and tracking employee performance.

Who Encompasses The Human Resources Department?

HR departments usually consist of hr professionals with specialized experience or qualifications in human capital management. Depending on the organization’s size, the human resources department may have several different roles, such as an HR manager, recruiter, and benefits specialist.

HR manager: The HR manager is the head of the human resources department and oversees all human resource activities, including recruitment and hiring, employee relations, benefits administration, and training and development.

Recruiters: Recruiters are responsible for finding qualified candidates to fill open positions in the organization. They may advertise job openings, review resumes and applications, interview potential candidates, and onboard new hires.

Benefits specialists: Benefits specialists administer employee benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans. They may also assist employees with filing claims or appeals related to their benefits.

How Does HR Support Employees?

Human resources play an important role in supporting employees. HR provides a wide range of services to employees, from onboarding and training to conflict resolution and benefits administration.

Onboarding: human resources is responsible for providing new hires with all the necessary information about their job and the organization. This includes setting up employee orientation programs, helping new hires to understand the organization’s values and culture, and providing any necessary training.

Emotional and career needs of employees: human resources is responsible for understanding and responding to employees’ emotional and career needs. This includes helping employees manage stress, providing support when difficult situations arise and helping employees reach their goals by offering guidance and advice.

Train and support managers: human resources is responsible for training and supporting managers in effectively managing their teams. They provide advice and guidance on best practices regarding performance management, talent management, conflict resolution, and other human resource topics.

Employee training and development: human resources provide employees with ongoing training opportunities to stay up-to-date on industry changes. They may also provide professional development programs to help employees hone their skills and increase their knowledge.

Employee assistance programs: human resources is responsible for providing employee assistance programs, such as counseling services and health and wellness programs. These programs are designed to help employees manage stress and improve their overall well-being.

Conflict resolution: human resources is responsible for mediating any conflicts that may arise between employees or between management and employees. They provide a neutral platform for resolving issues and ensure that all policies, procedures, and regulations are followed to maintain a positive work environment.

Foster a culture of health and wellness: human resources is responsible for creating a healthy and safe workplace. They may provide resources for employees to stay physically and mentally healthy, such as programs on stress management, health screenings, and more.

Administer employee benefits: human resources is responsible for administering employee benefits, such as health insurance and retirement plans. They may also assist employees with filing claims or appeals related to their benefits.

The Importance Of Having An HR Department Or Manager In Your Organization

A human resources manager or department in your organization is important for several reasons.

It promotes employee morale: Having human resources involved in the hiring process and employee development allows for better communication between management and employees. This improves employee morale, as employees feel more included and appreciated.

It ensures compliance with laws and regulations: Human Resources ensures that all personnel policies comply with local, state, and federal labor laws. This provides an extra layer of protection against potential lawsuits and helps provide a safe and healthy working environment for all employees.

It builds the company’s culture: Human resources is responsible for setting the tone in the organization. They help create a positive work atmosphere by providing resources, such as wellness programs, benefits, and training opportunities. This leads to a happier and more productive workforce.

It increases employee retention: Human resources also play a role in employee retention. By providing employees with the necessary tools, resources, and support they need to succeed, human resources help keep employee turnover low and encourage employees to stay in the organization for longer periods.

It helps recruit the best talent: Human resources is responsible for finding and recruiting the best talent for the organization. To attract top candidates, they may use various methods, such as job postings, employee referrals, and recruitment events.

It streamlines processes: Having human resources involved in the organization helps streamline processes, such as onboarding, workplace safety training, and employee benefits. This ensures that all procedures are followed correctly and makes it easier for employees to access the necessary resources.

Building The Best HR Department

The key to building a successful human resources department is to create an environment that encourages open communication, collaboration, and engagement.

Develop a comprehensive human resources plan: Developing a human resources plan will help ensure that you are utilizing your human resources effectively. The plan should include goals for recruiting, training, benefits administration, employee relations, and more.

Invest in human resources technology: Investing in human resources technology can help streamline processes and make it easier for human resources to manage their workload. Technology such as applicant tracking systems, human resource information systems, learning management systems, and employee engagement tools can all be useful for human resources departments.

Develop effective communication channels: Developing effective communication channels between human resources and employees is essential for successful human resource management. This can include tools such as newsletters, emails, blogs, and surveys that help keep employees informed about organizational changes.

Create a positive work environment: Creating a positive work environment is vital for human resources departments to be successful. This includes fostering an open and collaborative environment where employees feel comfortable expressing their ideas and opinions.

–Implement employee development programs: Implementing employee development programs can help human resources retain and develop the best talent in the organization. Employee development programs can include training courses, mentorship programs, career counseling, and other initiatives that help employees increase their knowledge and skill set.

What Skills Do You Need To Work In Human Resources?

HR professionals need to have strong communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills. They should also be able to develop and maintain relationships with employees, as well as have an understanding of human resources law and policies. Additionally, hr professionals must be able to manage multiple projects at once and stay organized to keep track of employee records and documents. It is also beneficial for an hr professional to have a background in business, accounting, and human resources management.

Conclusion

A healthy human resources department is essential for the business’s success. Human resources departments play an important role in employee retention, recruitment, compliance with labor laws, and creating a positive work environment. By investing in human resource technology, developing effective communication channels, and implementing employee development programs, organizations can build the best human resources department possible.

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.