What does Human resources do? (Full Guide)

Any workplace is constituted of a wide range of departments. Finance and accounting, research and development, marketing and sales; each is an important part of a business. And one other such department is human resources.

But what is human resources? Sure, it’s integral to the smooth running of any company, but what exactly does it do? Well, let’s find out as I take you through everything you’ve ever wanted to know about human resources, starting with…

What does Human resources do?

Human resources is often referred to as HR. In the past, it was known as personnel, but most organizations changed this sometime in the 1990s. It’s the team in a business that deals with staff.

Hiring, firing, and perspiring…

One of the primary roles of the human resources department is talent acquisition. Finding talented staff for positions within the organization can be difficult, so this is no easy task and involves advertising for jobs, sifting through applications, and setting up interviews, as well as headhunting potential new staff.

And on the flip side, they also take care of removing employees when necessary. It’s not as easy as just telling someone that they’re fired. They have to ensure certain procedures are followed to keep everything legal and above board.

Performance report

The next of HRs responsibilities is conducting employee reviews. In most businesses, these are done yearly, though some do it twice a year or quarterly. Human resources will document and keep records of these reports in case they’re needed in the future.

HR takes care of other employee records as well. Certain members of staff require special dispensations. This could include specialized office equipment or allowances for time off.

It’s all about the money, money, money…

And then there’s cash. HR is involved with dealing with payroll within the workplace. They must approve payments and ensure all such paperwork is in order.

Any employee benefits also fall under the remit of human resources. This department approves any time off or sick leave. It also usually deals with any company programs or activities such as employee counseling.

Recruit and dispute

What about workplace disputes? That’s right; human resources takes care of these too. These could be between two employees, or they could be between an employee and the company.

The HR department is there to protect both the business and its employees. It should remain impartial in any disagreements, follow company-wide protocols and operate within the law. To this end, it’s also responsible for writing and implementing those in-house regulations.

What is Human Resources? And Why is HR important?

A well-run, efficient human resources department is crucial for a business. The main reason for this is that it reduces conflict in the workplace. This leads to increased employee satisfaction, which in turn results in higher levels of performance.

This also means that staff members are more likely to stay with the company longer. That saves both time and money, as the organization then doesn’t have to continually search and then train new employees. Plus, long-term staff are better at keeping the company running smoothly.

Do your research…

There’s another reason that HR is important. They look into other companies and employee trends. This ensures they can offer competitive wages and develop appropriate benefits packages.

What HR jobs are there?

Human Resources Manager

This is the big boss of the human resources department. They’re responsible for overseeing the rest of the team. While everyone has a job to do, ultimately, the responsibility for HR lies with the manager.

What does a human resource manager do?

The HR manager meets with upper-level management to create recruiting strategies. They also work together to implement codes of conduct and conflict processes. Once these plans are in place, they must train their team to implement them and oversee their progress.

Recruitment Manager

While a recruitment manager is similar to a human resources manager, there are some subtle differences. Recruitment managers don’t need to worry about employee retention. Their only concern is finding new staff.

Super recruiter…

This role requires a great deal of knowledge. Managers should be up to date on current labor legislation. In addition to this, this must be able to predict future hiring needs and make sure the company is staffed appropriately.

For more information, take a look at our in-depth Recruiter Job Description, our Talent Acquisition Specialist Job Description, and our Recruiting Specialist Job Description.

Employment Specialist

An employment specialist shares some of the same duties as a recruitment manager. They also find people to fill various positions within a company. But there are some differences too.

Such as…

Specialists are like employment matchmakers. Their in-depth know-how allows them to find the perfect person to fit a particular position. They often work at career fairs, universities, and online to search for the ideal candidate.

Human Resources Assistant

These report directly to the human resources manager. They act as a support to the manager, helping where needed. This is a wide and varied role that requires the employee to be a jack of all trades.

To assist is a gift…

Writing reports, documenting absences, updated procedures; a human resources assistant does it all. They also help with recruiting by writing job adverts and arranging interviews. This is a position for a calm, collected person with a well-organized mind.

Want to know more? Then take a look at our HR Assistant Job Description.

Human Resources Coordinator

In addition to a manager and assistants, many human resources departments also have a coordinator. This person works under the manager but is on a slightly higher pay grade than an assistant. They may sometime require the support of the assistants as well.

Go between…

The coordinator acts as a link between various HR projects. They listen to employee concerns and develop policies and training procedures based on their feedback. Plus, they spend time examining trends within the industry and use them to develop workplace rules, salary rates, and codes of conduct.

Interested and want to know more? No problem, take a look at our in-depth HR Coordinator Job Description.

Chief Human Resources Officer (CHRO)

This is the big cheese, the top dog, the boss. While a manager handles the team on a hands-on level, the CHRO is the one really in charge.

Head honcho…

CHROs have a lot of responsibility. They generally work for large businesses that require someone to oversee a huge number of employees rather than small businesses. For a job like this, you’ll need a strong understanding of employment law as well as a huge amount of experience in the field.

If this sounds interesting, it’s also worth checking out our HR Director Job Description.

Employee Relations Manager

An employee relations manager is someone with fantastic people skills. They aim to achieve equity in the workplace. Their job is to create harmony and keep everyone happy, both employers and employees.

Finding balance in the force…

The role involves complete knowledge of labor laws, both federal and state. Their job handles a lot of conflict resolution, so it requires excellent people skills and a sympathetic ear. And, of course, they should be empathic and have incredible communication skills.

For more info, our Employee Relations Specialist Job Description will tell you everything you need to know.

Want to get a Job in Human Resources?

Then you’ll need to check out our thoughts on the Top Human Resources Resume Objective Examples for 2023.

What is Human Resources? – Final Thoughts

HR covers more aspects of a business than you might first think. Sure, it involves handling employees, but it’s so much more in-depth than that. It covers a huge range of features, and some roles require expert knowledge.

And it’s not for everyone. Human resources employees must be well-organized, logical, and hard-working. And above all, they have to be empathetic to successfully deal with employee issues.

All the best with your career in Human Resources.