Beyond hiring and firing: What is HR management?
It is a common misconception that HR is just the department within a business who are responsible for hiring and firing employees. Of course, these two functions are a large chunk of what HR will do, but the truth is that the role of HR spans across many departments.
The thing is, many people simply do not realise just how important HR management is within a business. They will overlook the entire department, and won’t see them for the true value that they provide for the successful running of the business.
So, with this in mind, it makes sense that we take a look at the true function of HR management and all of the things that they can do for a business; especially the less visible functions that they fulfil.
HR take charge of communications
If your business doesn’t have an internal communications team, then this responsibility normally falls on HR. This is because they are responsible for ensuring that key messages are being distributed around the business. This could be via an internal communications app, or perhaps an employee intranet system. All of which are very useful.
They will need to take charge of any important messages that need to be circulated, ensuring that they reach the intended audience only, at the right time and through the right format.
HR support line managers
The job of a line manager is never easy. They are there to ensure that the employees within their team are working to the best level and that they are happy and engaged in their work. They deal with issues, with challenges and with immediate training needs too.
A good HR team will be there to do their best to make the life of a line manager that little bit easier. They mentor the managers and ensure that they have the right skills to effectively manage their team. They give them ideas on how to motivate them and they also are there to give advice if things do ever go wrong.
HR provide performance management
We all want our employees to do the best that they can for us, however, it can be hard to ensure that they are doing what they should do. This is where performance management can help. The idea of performance management is not only to monitor what employees are doing, but also to help them to do their jobs effectively.
HR will give them the tools, training and developmental opportunities that they need to enable them to really get their work done. They will also keep a track on any goals or objectives that the staff members (or their line managers) might have. This is usually via an annual meeting or maybe meetings on a more regular basis, to ensure that things are on track.
HR creates the right working environment
It is hugely important that your working environment is as good as it can be, else you are going to lose valuable employees. This is something that HR can help with; they are there to ensure that the working environment is the best that they can be.
They do this by setting the right culture within your business, then ensuring that the requirements are communicated to all relevant staff members. They will also provide encouragement for these rules to be followed, which will help the right workplace culture to be created.
They work with staff members to change the business
We should never underestimate just how great an idea staff members can have to improve the business as a whole. In fact, the best ideas can all too often come from those who work within the business.
If you want to find the best way to encourage these ideas to be shared, as well as collate the information, then HR can help. HR can ask staff members to provide ideas on what they think can be done to improve the business as a whole, they can then work with those employees to ensure that their suggested changes are actually put in place.
HR help to keep staff members happy
It is no secret that happy staff is something that every business should be aiming for. However, it is not that easy to keep people happy. You need to figure out what employees need and how you can actually implement these changes in our business too.
This is something that HR can do. HR will have their finger on the pulse of what is happening in employee benefits, they will know the upcoming apps, tools and approaches that are being used to ensure that employees are happy within their workplace.
They will research into what things are working and perhaps the ones that are not, making changes where they are required.
As you can see, whilst hiring and firing is a part of the role of HR, it is not the be all and end all of what they do as a department. Take the time to learn more about what HR can do for your business and you will soon see that they are a hugely valuable department and one that you should never take for granted.
