What Does a Human Resources Department Do?

A human resources department is an important part of a healthy company. It finds and retains top talent, helps employees grow as professionals and allows an organization to thrive. This department also handles conflict resolution, compensation procedures and many other processes that aid in the growth of any sized company.?

Modern human resources in the U.S. started to form during the Industrial Revolution . During this time, researchers found a connection between worker wellness and productivity.

Human resources departments are common across the workforce today to help workers:

• Understand their rights
• Feel more satisfied with their work
• Stay loyal to their organizations

Human Resources Defined

A human resources department is a group that manages employees from recruitment to onboarding to departure. It is also in charge of administering any benefits offered to employees and discussing retirement options .?

Essentially, this department handles anything employee-related. It is an essential part of large and small businesses. It ensures employees have fair treatment and represent their companies’ cultures well.?

What Does a Human Resources Department Do?

The main functions of a human resources (HR) department include:

• Recruitment and hiring processes
• Company culture and safe working environment maintenance?
• Professional relations between employer and employee
• Onboarding, training and professional development
• Compensation and payroll practices
• Employee disciplinary or termination actions

Recruit Candidates

Attracting top talent and retaining existing employees are some of the main priorities of a human resources department. Human resources managers build companies’ futures by having high-quality recruiting and hiring processes.

Human resources often works with department leaders to learn about open positions and requirements for ideal candidates. Then, the HR professionals will decide on a recruiting strategy.

Recruitment strategies may consist of:

• Creating job postings
• Screening applicant résumés
• Conducting first interviews

In some companies, HR professionals are also in charge of conducting reference or background checks.

Help Foster the Company Culture

Components of company culture include aspects like:

• Hiring practices
• Employee development
• Employee relations

Human resources plans all of these components. These professionals work hard to confirm that company culture adapts and remains strong over time.?

Human resources managers share information about the company culture with new employees during the onboarding process.?

Human resources plans events and activities like:

• Team outings
• Recognition programs
• Community-building exercises

These events build team morale. Human resources helps employees stay motivated and content with the company.

This department efficiently addresses any shortcomings or issues with workplace culture to benefit the entire company.

Manage Employee Relations

Human resources focuses on employee-employer dynamics. Human resources managers will create fairness and equity company policies for everyone in the workplace.

Whenever an employee has a dispute with another employee or employer, HR will work as a mediator to settle these disagreements. Some examples include concerns regarding:

• Benefits
• Payroll
• Workload
• Interpersonal conflict
• Work hours or scheduling

Training and Employee Development

HR managers will provide training resources and professional development opportunities to all employees. This would include:

• Employee development programs
• Educational courses
• Training opportunities
• Career advancement resources

Providing these activities and resources can make employees more productive and satisfied . In addition, it may help reduce turnover rates at a company.

Oversee Compensation and Payroll

Part of the HR department’s role is to ensure employee satisfaction within the company, including compensation.?

Human resources has to confirm that payroll is compliant with laws and regulations. It also oversees the distribution of pay to all employees.?

Keeping competitive pay rates to attract talented candidates is crucial to this department’s role. Increasing pay for existing and potential employees is something that HR monitors and develops when a department’s budget deems it possible.??

Talking to HR about compensation, satisfaction and happiness within the role overall is a massive benefit to an employee. Career and confidence coach Jasmine Escalera says, “You can discuss this with HR and identify if a promotion is in order (I bet it is!). Research also includes checking into salary websites and making sure you are fully aware of what you should be making for the job you’re actually doing.”?

Many employees don’t realize that HR can have an input in an employee getting a raise, promotion or bonus.

Employee Turnover

HR managers understand delicate matters, like discipline or termination, for employees and employers alike. Established practices make it easier to handle these situations reasonably.

Generally, this will include a straightforward, written disciplinary process that follows a set system. The HR department will develop these in response to company needs.

The HR professionals guide conversations around termination to minimize damage between the company and the employee. And HR ensures the process goes smoothly, whether the termination is voluntary or involuntary.

Human resources might also be in charge of working with legal counsel during these processes. This is to ensure the company is acting within the confines of the law. This legal aid will protect the company from employee lawsuits.

Does Every Company Have an HR Department?

Some companies may have just one or two designated individuals to act as their HR departments. These are often managers or supervisors already working at the company in other leadership roles.

This can be a dangerous option for a company with HR needs. Companies that don’t have formal HR departments put their employees and managerial staff at risk.?

Additionally, growing companies may need larger departments to handle hiring and onboarding processes.?

Putting all HR responsibility on a manager or another leader from the company leads to less effective use of their time. It also exposes the company to potential legal implications since these team members don’t have formal HR training.

Companies do not legally need HR departments. However, having skilled professionals knowledgeable of HR practices can help a company thrive and grow.

Key Takeaways

What does a human resources department do?

• Human resources departments foster positive experiences for employees.?
• Human resources professionals handle sensitive issues within a company.
• The HR department protects both employees and employers with its policies.