2.Human Resources (HR): Meaning and Responsibilities

 Human Resources (HR)

                          Figure 1/ HR description                     Xiaojie Liu / Investopedia

 Social movements, regulatory requirements, and technology improvements have always had an impact on professional practices, which is why human resources (HR) have evolved over time. But things have changed in the previous few years: the pandemic and the racial justice movements that arose after George Floyd's death have spurred conversations and subjects in HR departments that will affect how businesses function in 2022 and beyond. 

Change is good for you. Change is required. According to a Gallup analysis, "85% of employees are not engaged or actively disengaged at work." This grim report shows how HR needs to grow and adapt. Employers must determine the causes of their staff members' disinterest and disengagement. The HR department will have different justifications for this, but it's essential for

2.1.What Is Human Resources (HR)?

A corporate section called human resources (HR) is in charge of hiring, screening, training, and employee benefit plans. It also helps businesses adapt to the ever-changing business landscape.

ESSENTIAL NOTES

• A company's human resources (HR) department is in charge of locating, hiring, vetting, and onboarding new employees.
• HR divisions are also in charge of employee benefits, pay, and terminations.
• The long-term objective of human resource management (HRM) initiatives is to improve an organization by actively developing and enhancing its staff.
• The laws that may have an impact on the business and its personnel must be kept up to date by HR departments.
• Many businesses now contract with outside providers to handle HR administrative tasks like payroll and benefits.

Comprehending Human Resources (HR)

Regardless of the size of the company, human resources are a crucial part of any enterprise. Its duties include maximizing worker productivity and safeguarding the business from potential personnel problems. Pay and benefits, hiring, terminating, retaining staff, and staying current on regulations that could impact the business and its workers are all part of HR's duties.

Key HR Activities

The six essential human resources-related tasks that HR must successfully complete to provide value to a business are as follows:

• Effectively employing and managing the workforce
• tying pay and performance evaluation to competencies
• Acquiring skills that improve performance on both an individual and organizational level.
• Increasing the originality, adaptability, and inventiveness required to boost competitiveness.
• implementing novel strategies for career development, succession planning, work process design, and inter-organizational mobility
• Using better staffing, training, and employee communication to manage the adoption and integration of technology.

HR Outsourcing

Since the mid-20th century, some companies have outsourced some of the more traditional administrative, transactional HR functions to free the department to recommend and implement more meaningful, value-adding programs that impact the business in positive ways.

Functions that may be outsourced in this process include:

• Payroll administration
• Employee benefits
• Recruitment
• Background checks
• Exit interviews.
• Risk management.
• Dispute resolution.
• Safety inspection
• Office Policies
• The use of modern tools, such as recruitment software, can help to improve the efficiency of HR departments. In turn, that can give them more leeway to focus on adding ever-greater value.

The changing role of HR and its ongoing importance

Technology has changed the workplace in recent years, transforming the typical HRM role in an organization. Today, the HR department must navigate emerging technologies, evolving roles, and an ever-changing workforce.  

Figure 2/ The role of HR has evolved. Meet the 21st century HR Leader

Reference

1. KENTON, W. (2024). Human Resources (HR): Meaning and Responsibilities. NewYork: Investopedia.[Accessed 19 Mar 2024].

2. CLIFTON, J. (2023). Gallup's employee engagement meta-analysis report. Califonia: Gallup Speakers.[Accessed 19 Mar 2024].

3. You Tube- The role of HR has evolved. Meet the 21st century HR Leader.[Accessed 19 Mar 2024].

Additional Articles

• John Rogers Commons. “The Distribution of Wealth.” A.M. Kelley, 1963.

• Google Careers. “Benefits at Google.”

• David G. Collings, Hugh Scullion, and Paula M. Caligiuri. “Global Talent Management,” Chapter 5. Routledge, 2019.

• Fast Company. “Welcome to the New Era of Human Resources.”

• University of Washington, Paul G. Allen School of Computer Science and Engineering, Course Web Service. “Outsourcing: Past, Present and Future,” Page 3 (Page 6 of PDF).