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Human resources departments are often considered an essential part of many organizations. They are present in numerous industries and take on many different functions in their day-to-day responsibilities.
HR departments act as a liaison between employers and employees to help ensure both are well equipped to do their jobs safely and effectively. While some organizations have their own in-house HR department, others may use an outside firm. In either capacity, HR managers help maintain the structural and organizational integrity of the workplace.
While HR may sometimes be regarded as the disciplinary arm of a company, in reality, HR holds many supportive responsibilities like the ones we’ll discuss on this page. From making sure employees are paid and receive benefits to overseeing employee development, HR departments and managers aim to create workplaces where both employers and employees can thrive.
On this page, you’ll find the main functions of an HR department, and what each entails:
- Recruitment and Hiring
- Training and Development
- Employer-Employee Relations
- Maintain Company Culture
- Manage Employee Benefits
- Create a Safe Work Environment
- Handle Disciplinary Actions
Recruitment and Hiring
For many organizations, attracting and retaining the best talent in the industry is a priority. HR managers play an important role in this, helping to build the future of the company by overseeing the recruitment and hiring process.
To begin, HR may work with a department manager or supervisor to learn about an open position, including its requirements and ideal candidate qualities. The HR department may then set forth a recruiting strategy. This might include creating internal and external job postings, screening incoming applicants’ resumes and other application materials, and conducting initial interviews.
HR may also be responsible for professional reference checks and background checks to verify that candidates are eligible to work for the company.
Training and Development
Hiring qualified employees are just one aspect of an HR department’s job. To retain talent and remain competitive, HR managers may also be responsible for launching employee development initiatives.
This could entail additional on-the-job training, professional development programs, or educational opportunities that allow employees to grow and develop in their current roles or prepare them for career advancement within the organization.
HR departments know that investing in training and development benefits both employers and employees. For employers, it may mean higher employee productivity and lower turnover rates. Seeing the company invest in its development may help employees feel more valued, increase job satisfaction, and incentivize them to stay with the company.
Employer-Employee Relations
Another aspect of the workplace that HR departments manage is employer-employee relationships. With this function, HR departments strive to help employers and employees see each other as mutual contributors to the company, fostering a positive dynamic between the two. HR managers may also help craft and determine company policies that ensure fairness and equity in the workplace.
When an employee has a workplace grievance whether regarding compensation, benefits, workloads, work hours, or anything else HR may step in to act as a liaison between the employee and employer, helping to settle any disagreements.
Overall, when HR departments succeed in creating positive employee relations, employers may trust their employees and value their input more, and on the flip side, employees may respect and appreciate their employers more.
Maintain Company Culture
Elements of company culture may include sound hiring practices, ongoing development, and strong employee relations. However, it’s not necessarily something you can achieve and move on from. HR departments engage in ongoing work to ensure that their company culture remains solid over time.
In the employee onboarding process, HR managers may share the company’s values, norms, and vision with employees familiarizing them with the overall ethos of the organization.
Team outings, community building, and any reward systems or recognition programs are additional ways HR departments might keep employee motivation and morale high.
Maintaining company culture also means being equipped to identify any shortcomings within the organization and having the ability to address them effectively.
Manage Employee Benefits
On the administrative side, HR departments oversee both mandated and voluntary company benefits. While employers are required to provide some benefits like Social Security, unemployment, and worker’s compensation, other benefits like paid time off, disability income and gym reimbursements are provided voluntarily and serve as an additional incentive for potential and current employees to work at the company.
Of course, employee benefit programs vary by organization. Some may offer employer matching programs (in which employers match an employee’s contribution to their retirement fund), while others may offer enticing comprehensive health insurance plans.
Regardless of the specific benefits, an employer may offer, managing all of these components is a complex job.
It requires HR managers to be well-versed in their understanding of company benefit programs and have the ability to clearly explain and answer any questions employees may have regarding their policies.
Create a Safe Work Environment
In addition to managing benefits, HR is responsible for protecting employees’ safety at work—both physical and emotional. In the physical sense, HR must ensure the workplace is free of danger, typically through worksite analysis and hazard prevention and control.
HR may also establish safety programs through risk management training and provide information on procedures and protocols for any potential emergency scenarios.
Workplace safety also entails ensuring that the organization with federal and state employment rules and regulations. HR departments have a responsibility to maintain work environments that promote respect and dignity for all employees.
They must also ensure that employees are protected from behaviors like harassment, discrimination, intimidation, and exploitation. They may provide training sessions for employees, managers, and supervisors to learn to identify harmful practices and know how to report them when needed.
Handle Disciplinary Actions
Disciplinary procedures and terminations are delicate and sometimes complicated matters. HR managers must know how to handle them fairly and consistently to keep situations running smoothly and prevent any additional conflict or escalation.
This may involve having a clear disciplinary process, whether that includes starting with a written warning and increasing in severity with suspensions or demotions or following another proven system. Regardless of the specifics, HR managers must have a set system in place to hold employees accountable.
Additionally, HR may consult with legal counsel to ensure the company acts in accordance with the law, avoiding any mishandled situations and subsequent lawsuits. At the end of the day, HR departments have a responsibility to enforce an organization’s policies and the requirements of the law, while still maintaining the dignity and humanity of its employees.
Looking to Start or Enhance Your Career in HR?
From hiring to development to terminations, HR managers are an integral part of organizations. They oversee the entire employee life cycle and contribute to a company’s organizational success. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), the projected job outlook for human resources managers is 9% from 2020 to 2030.
To become an HR manager, a bachelor’s degree or a master’s in HR is usually required. Some employers will consider candidates with a degree from an HR-related program. Related fields of study can include industrial and organizational psychology, labor relations, and business administration.
Those who choose to pursue a bachelor’s degree or lower may be required to work in an HR role for anywhere from one to four years before qualifying to take the SHRM-Certified Professional Exam. With a master’s degree in HR, only a year of experience in HR may be required before you can sit for the exam.