Role of HR: A Comprehensive Guide in 2021
INTRODUCTION
It is said, “ Build your people, and those people will build your business “. Ever wondered why in every interview, one step always includes interaction with the Human resources department. It’s because the Human Resources department is the most valuable asset of any organization, and the role of hr is incomparable.
LIST OF ROLES
- Organizational needs
- Selecting the Right candidate
- On the job training
- Learning Modules
- Incentive linked jobs
- Performance Evaluation
- Salary and Allowances
- Growth Opportunities
- Post-employment Package
- Employee’s Feedback
- Implementing Policies and Rules
- Work Environment
- Administration
- Maintaining Labour relations
- Updated Information System
- News Sharing
- Personal Well- Being of Employees
- Future Planning
1. Organizational needs
The first and foremost role of hr is to analyze and decide organizational needs. The questions to be addressed first, keeping in mind the financial budget,: Where is the organization’s vacancy and whether it can be filled up within the organization?
2. Selecting the Right candidate
It’s very important that the right person fits the right role for maximum efficiency. Apart from the academic qualifications and experience, hr job description demands evaluating such a person’s personality also.
3. On the job training
The role of hr doesn’t end just by recruiting the right person. Training programs like job rotation, team building activities, or new technology training are put in place to enhance the skills of employees. This will ensure not only better productivity but also greater satisfaction among the employees.
4. Learning Modules
Employees should be exposed to different learning modules, which will develop their knowledge base. Giving such opportunities creates a happy and motivated work environment.
5. Incentive linked jobs
A job description of hr manager requires creating bonus or incentive-linked performance plans for employees’ better productivity. A bonus incentive is one of the best forms of appreciation every employee seeks. In some organizations, A grading system is employed where reaching a grade is equivalent to a certain bonus amount, while in some, certain targets are given. Better the grade, more the incentive.
6. Performance Evaluation
After every few months, hr responsibilities entail sitting and reviewing employee’s performance with them. This will involve the project they have worked on already and their role in the same, and how well they completed the tasks, they were delegated. Also, if tasks couldn’t be performed, then what was the reason for the same.
7. Salary and Allowances
One of the roles of hr is to brief the employee on joining regarding his basic salary package plus other benefits like travel allowances, health benefits, vacation time, sick leaves, stock purchase plans, etc.
8. Growth Opportunities
If an employee’s capability exceeds the position he has been in, then this leads to frustration. Its the role of hr to continuously supervise their employee’s performance and, based on that, form a career growth plan. Guiding them on their careers entails more trust and loyalty within the employees towards the organization.
9. Post-employment Package
In case of early termination or case of retirement, there should be well-defined rules. Its the role and responsibility of hr recruiter to clearly communicate the compensation rules to the employees on the date of their joining to avoid any future confusion.
10. Employee’s Feedback
One of the hr responsibilities is to develop an environment of open communication within the organization. This will motivate employees to come forward with their grievances if they are facing any problem within the organization. This gives a sense of security to employees.
11. Implementing Policies and Rules
Apart from the above roles, the role of hr is to develop certain rules and procedures in place. Policies related to password confidentiality, fraudulent work practices should be communicated and monitored, failing, which the defaulter should be punished accordingly.
12. Work Environment
An hr job description includes implementing and clearly communicating basic etiquette and disciplinary rules like anti workplace harassment, unhealthy employee relations, inappropriate work clothes, use of inappropriate language, etc.
13. Administration
Another key role of hr is to create and maintain the payroll system. This would include the employee’s personal details and reimbursement of expenses, deduction of taxes, credit of allowances, provident funds, etc.
14. Maintaining Labour relations
This role entails ensuring strict compliance with the labour laws of the country to avoid penalties. It also includes maintaining labour relations with other trade unions within the industry for smooth business operation.
15. Updated Information System
An information system should be put in place, which will have all the employee’s information in one place. This would include all his details from joining till he left the organization. This should be updated on a continuous basis.
16. News Sharing
One of the hr responsibilities is to share with transparency any key information related to the company like corporate restructuring, mergers, acquisitions, changes in the board of management. This should be circulated through the company’s newsletters or news board.
17. Personal Well- Being of Employees
The safety and health of the employees should be the prime concern of a company. Proper medical care should be made available to them in case of any emergencies. It’s legally required to employ Safety measures and educate the staff regarding the same as well in case of contingencies.
18. Future Planning
Not only the present but the role of hr also includes deciding the future course of action. Whether to introduce a new job title and recruiting the people for the same or downsizing the current payroll to comply with the financial budget needs to be decided by human resources.
CONCLUSION
After evaluating the above roles of HR, it can be safely said that the human resource department is the soul of the organization. Its people build a brand, and finding those right people is what Human resources do.
Are you interested in learning more about Analytics in Workforce Management? Take a look at our People Analytics and Digital HR program, in collaboration with IIM Indore. This is a 3-month long program with instructor-led sessions by IIM-I faculty.
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