What Does HR Actually Do – 5 Key Responsibilities

Behind the scenes of any workplace, you’ll find the HR department; a rather small team ensuring things run smoothly. They usually handle hiring, training, and support, acting as the guardians of workplace harmony. However, that’s not where their job ends, though. 

HR’s tasks range from reviewing resumes to ensuring compliance with labor laws. They find the right talent, provide training, and offer support for employee queries or concerns. The HR world offers diverse roles, from recruiters to managers, catering to varied interests and skills. 

1: Hiring the Right People 

As per the teachers of the human resource courses in Singapore, recruiting is all about hunting down the perfect folks to fill up job spots.  

The HR crew crafts job adverts, hunts for top-notch candidates, sifts through applications, and chats up with the potentials in interviews. They usually team up with hiring managers to pick the best fits and keep candidates in the loop every step of the way. 

2: Fostering a Perfect Work Environment 

You know how staying safe at work is super important?  

Well, HR folks are like the safety superheroes of the office. They’re all about making sure nobody gets hurt on the job. They follow OSHA rules saying bosses must keep things safe. 

So, what do HR do?  

They set up safety training sessions to make sure everyone knows how to stay out of harm’s way. And if anyone does get a little boo-boo at work, HR keeps track of it and helps sort out things like worker’s comp. But it’s not just physical safety they’re on about.  

They’re like the peacekeepers of your office too. If there’s any drama or disagreements between coworkers that could make things unsafe or uncomfortable, HR jumps in to smooth things over. They want everyone to feel happy and comfy at work so they can all do their best. 

3: Managing Employee Relationships 

So, employee relations is basically all about how the bosses and the workers get along.  

Think of it as the relationship status between the folks doing the work and the ones calling the shots. HR plays a big part in this gig, especially in places where there are unions involved. 

In unionized places, HR teams are like the middlemen (or middlewomen!) between the company and the union reps. They help keep things smooth between the two sides.  

But it’s not just unions they deal with. HR also works on making sure managers and supervisors click well with the folks they oversee. 

And when there’s any union talk buzzing around or if there are any hiccups in the labor contracts, the HR sorts it out. They’re like the peacemakers and negotiators, making sure everyone’s on the same page and happy. 

4: Administering Everyone’s Payroll 

Alright, so payroll is basically the process of getting people paid for the time they put in at work. And guess who’s in charge of making sure that happens smoothly? Yep, you got it, HR! 

HR folks double-check all the hours employees’ clock in and then they do their magic to make sure everyone gets their paycheck on time, following the company’s payday schedule.  

They usually use fancy software to handle all the numbers and stuff. 

If any employee has questions about their paycheck, like if they’re wondering why they got a little less green than expected HR’s the go-to for sorting it out and clearing up any confusion. 

Oh, and it’s not just regular employees they look after.  

The HR also keeps tabs on payments for contractors, freelancers, and temps. They make sure everyone’s hours and rates are spot on, and if there are any third-party vendors involved, like staffing agencies, HR handles all the coordination to keep things running smoothly. 

5: Managing Benefits and Compensation Packages 

Let’s dive into the good stuff: pay and perks! HR is like the brains behind making sure everyone’s getting fair pay and awesome benefits.  

You’ve got these pros, like HR managers or benefits experts, who figure out how much each job should pay. They set up these pay ranges for different jobs to keep things fair and competitive. 

But it’s not only about the money.  

HR also handles awesome perks like health insurance, dental coverage, and retirement plans to keep everyone feeling good and secure. They even haggle with insurance companies to snag the sweetest deals for the team. 

When you need to pick your benefits or tweak them a bit, HR’s your go-to crew.  

They’ll walk you through what’s what, clear up any confusion, and make sure everything’s good to go. Yep, they’re like the champions of paychecks, ensuring everyone’s sorted out and happy. 

The Bottom Line 

Sometimes, life throws us curveballs, right?  

Well, when employees hit a rough patch or face personal hurdles, HR’s got their back. Lots of companies offer something called Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs) as a perk. These programs can be a lifeline for employees dealing with personal stuff. 

And if someone’s dealing with a health issue while on the job, HR steps in with info about laws like the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) or the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA). They make sure employees know their rights and what benefits they can tap into.