The department in charge of overseeing employees and assisting with compliance is known as human resources. Processing payroll, handling benefits, explaining and enforcing company policies, resolving conflict in the workplace, adhering to regulations, hiring and training new hires, and determining pay scales are some of the essential duties that go into fulfilling that mission. No matter the number of qualified professionals handling these duties, HR is essential because people are an employer’s most valuable resource.
What does human resources do?
Professionals in human resources are in charge of handling any issues or demands relating to people that emerge within an organization. They frequently oversee hiring, firing, onboarding new hires, and managing the orientation process to prepare staff members for their new positions. Human resources may get involved to help with resolution when issues arise between employees. HR professionals must also keep thorough records of all employee actions for legal purposes.
An organization’s structure can be maintained and its human capital, or its people, can receive support and assistance from a well-run human resources department. Some human resources professionals specialize in particular industries, such as payroll, benefits, or training, while others handle more general duties for the company as a whole.
Key duties and responsibilities of human resources
You can better appreciate the significance of the human resources department in any company by being aware of its specific tasks and obligations.
1. Recruiting
Finding qualified people for open positions within the company and taking the necessary steps to screen them for hiring are both parts of the recruiting process. HR professionals may assist with the creation and posting of job descriptions, looking for qualified individuals to apply for the open positions, screening candidates, and conducting interviews as part of the hiring process. This obligation is crucial for an organization’s workforce development.
2. Fostering a safe work environment
Ensuring workplace safety is a critical responsibility of human resources. HR professionals will support this requirement by supervising and conducting safety training, managing workplace injury logs, reporting and handling any potential workers compensation needs. The Occupational Safety and Health Act of 1970 (OSHA) mandates employers to provide a safe working environment for all employees.
3. Managing employee relations
Employee relations, also known as employer-employee relations, refers to the interactions between the workforce and the leadership. In unionized workplaces, human resources is especially crucial in this position because HR specialists help to improve relations between managers, supervisors, and employees. Responding to union organization plans and campaigns, negotiating agreements, and interpreting any labor contract issues are additional employee relations responsibilities.
4. Administering payroll
Many human resources professionals can offer payroll administration services for a business. Payroll involves paying employees for the hours worked. Modern software and resources have made payroll processing for businesses simpler, enabling HR professionals with limited payroll expertise to complete this task.
5. Managing compensation and benefits packages
In exchange for the work they do for an organization, employees receive pay and benefits packages, and the human resources department frequently administers, monitors, and approves those packages. An HR expert could assist in creating a company’s pay structure and setting wage ranges for various roles and positions. In order to make sure that the company is paying its employees fairly in accordance with market standards, HR may also check whether the wages are competitive.
Health and dental insurance, life insurance, retirement plans, and other perks may be included in benefits packages that increase a company’s competitiveness and appeal to top talent. To get the best deal for their employees, HR professionals may bargain group health coverage rates with different health insurance companies, coordinate retirement plan choices, and respond to benefit-related inquiries from workers. Each year, HR may also be in charge of the open enrollment process, which entails informing staff members about their benefit options and enrolling them in them again.
6. Handling disciplinary needs
Employee rule-breaking or inappropriate behavior at work leads to workplace discipline. Human resources manages employee disciplinary actions and keeps track of all corrective measures. Examples of improper conduct that could result in disciplinary action include not performing job duties properly, behaving badly toward clients or employees, or not managing the schedule properly. When taking disciplinary action, an HR professional must typically adhere to a process, such as issuing a verbal warning, followed by a written warning, before suspending or terminating the employee.
7. Ensuring compliance with labor laws and regulations
HR is in charge of making sure that the company complies with all applicable labor laws and regulations in addition to keeping the workplace safe for employees. Failure to comply may lead to dangerous working conditions, customer complaints, and general dissatisfaction. Fair employment regulations and proper pay practices are just a couple of the major laws that apply. The National Labor Relations Act, the Civil Rights Act, and the Fair Labor Standards Act may apply to these laws.
8. Overseeing training programs
In order for a human resources department to be successful, training and development are essential components. To integrate into the organization, comprehend the demands of their position, and maintain compliance with any process changes or legal requirements, employees must receive regular and ongoing training. HR departments may also train managers and supervisors in leadership skills related to employee relations and performance management.
9. Supporting employee development
Human resources departments can offer opportunities for employee development and education in addition to ongoing training. Employees can benefit from professional development by learning new skills and honing the ones they already have to perform their jobs more successfully. Supporting their personal development objectives can also boost employee satisfaction and promote company loyalty.
Some businesses provide formally structured development programs where employees can enroll in classes to learn more about particular subjects and develop new skills. Organizations may also assist staff members in their academic endeavors by offering financial aid or reimbursement for tuition.
10. Assisting employees
Employees might experience personal needs and difficulties while working for an organization, and the human resources division might be able to offer resources and support. Employee assistance programs are frequently offered by employers as a perk to staff members, and they can be a helpful resource for those dealing with personal difficulties. HR may inform an employee about their rights under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) or the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) if a medical emergency occurs while they are still employed.
Is Human Resource Management the right career for you?
FAQ
What are the responsibilities of HR?
- Recruitment of candidates. …
- Hiring the right employees for the right jobs. …
- Processing company payroll. …
- Conduct disciplinary actions. …
- Designing and updating existing company policies. …
- Maintaining employee records. …
- Conduct Analysis of Employee Benefits.
What are the 5 things that human resources do?
- Employee Recruitment & Onboarding. …
- Performance Monitoring & Management. …
- Learning & Development. …
- Rewarding Employees.
What are 3 common duties of a human resources person?
The Human Resource Manager will oversee the regular duties of the Human Resources (HR) division, such as hiring and conducting interviews, paying employees, handling benefits and leave requests, and upholding company policies and procedures.
Is HR a good career?
A profession that consistently ranks highly on lists of the best careers is human resources (HR), also known as talent management. U. S. News One of the top 100 jobs overall and at number 17 on their list of the best business jobs for 2020
