The Real Role of Human Resources



The role of human resources has evolved over the years as the needs of the business and employees have changed. Most HR professionals have aligned themselves with traditional human resources management activities such as leave management, performance management, recruitment, training and development and forgot about the relevance of other significant HR functions. Let’s take a look at the major roles and responsibilities of HR in the post-pandemic era.

Health and Safety
HR is that division of an organization that focuses on managing “human” resources, and it should ensure a safe and healthy working environment for the employees. Below are some of the Occupational Health and Safety roles that the HR department should play at their workplaces;
● Prepare Health and Safety Policies
● Provide training on policies
● Risk assessment
● Evaluate compliance
● Assist in developing OHS plan

HR Compliance
HR departments aren’t just responsible for recruiting and benefits — they should align workplace policies and procedures with federal and provincial legislation, to ensure that the company and its employees understand and follow these laws. They are also responsible for thoroughly understanding compliance laws, as well as monitoring the compliance landscape for any regulatory changes.

Company Culture
HRs are responsible for monitoring and promoting a culture of ethics in the company that reflects the company’s mission and values. They must ensure that the workplace embraces the idea of DEI. Ensuring unbiased hiring practices, offering equal pay for equal work, and creating equal growth opportunities would all contribute to creating this.

Human Capital
An organization is said to be only as good as its people, so human capital is so important to an organization. Human Capital is defined as the economic value of a worker’s experience and skills. HR typically manages Human Capital through recruiting, planning and strategy, employee training, and performance management. Employers can improve the quality of Human Capital by investing in employees and thereby increasing productivity and profit. Recruiting and Retention The great resignation hit businesses all over the world and while things are looking better now, recruiting and employee retention are still a challenge most employers are struggling with. Why are employers finding it hard? It complicated but aiming for things like an inclusive culture, better benefits and compensation, a safe working environment, and an effective employee lifecycle plan can help organizations recruit and retain employees more efficiently.

The Future of HR
The future of HR is human-centered. It means that HR will continue to focus on people. However, it will also place an increasing emphasis on technology and how to best leverage it to support people and organizations. The best outcomes can be achieved when people and technology work together as partners. To take advantage of the opportunities that this partnership presents, HR will need to be equipped with the right skills and the right tools.

Key Take Away
Human Resources has become a powerful force in small businesses and nonprofits. It’s no longer just about managing the staff. Today, HR plays a crucial role in driving an organization’s success by becoming its protection and profit center. Employers that have embraced this change and strengthened their HR practices see better results and achieve their organizational goals faster.

– HR Covered Inc.
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