Role and Function of a Human Resources Department In today’s work environment, organizations are continually seeking an advantage over the competition. One resource to assist with this ambition is to utilize the human resources (HR) department as a strategic partner in the micro and macro planning of the organization. This paper will define the role and function while distinguishing the duties and responsibilities of an effective HR department. Background Ellard Williams, Incorporated (EWI) is a manufacturing firm employing nearly 11,300 workers (Colorado State University - Global Campus, n.d.). At this time, the firm is experiencing deficiencies in the HR department, which is leading to ineffective processes and a drop in profits throughout the organization. A strategic analysis revealed a slump in growth, high turnover rate, underpaid staff, and a loss in profits if all activities remain the same (n.d.). As a result of the unsuccessful HR department, employee motivation, performance, and productivity are suffering that is causing production delays and high defect rates (n.d.). Role and Function The HR professional’s function is more than shuffling through applications, inputting data, and providing reports. “Among HR roles, many authors argue that the “strategic role” is a pivotal one for HR professionals in today’s organization” (Mitchell et al, 2013, p. 900). What this means for HR professionals is they should participate in developmental and organizational
The HR department officials in most organizations perform as they should. In most cases, they also focus on achieving the right things. Human Resource departments focus organizing, controlling, and hiring employees in organizations. When organizations apply HR practices, the results are great client satisfaction, a good net margin, and reduced sickness absence (Richard and Johnson, 2001). Vermeeren et al. (2014) posit that there is a great relationship between performance and HRM. Most organizations use the human resource department to ensure that operations run smoothly.
Human resource is an appellation used in referring to the workforce of an organization or company. Human resource management is involved in the act of putting together employees in an organized manner to assure the objectives of the organization are achieved in a competent and experienced manner. Human resources are the most important services of any organization since they are the catalysts of non-human resources and the medium for developing competitive advantages and sounds of creativity. No organization can exist without a human resources department (Walsh, 2009). A company without an HR department would be reducing its operations and could collapse within a short amount of time.
Human resource departments today have a more distinct, calculated position within organizations, and human resource strategy influences the bottom line. “One of the challenges for HR leaders is convincing executive leadership teams that human capital is one of the most important resources in which the company can invest” (Mayhew, 2014, p.). Subsequently, “this return on investment is an essential part of the argument for including HR as part of an overall business strategy” (Mayhew, 2014, p.). Human resource departments utilize the information given to them from company executives and leaders, coupled with their respective expertise on all things personnel, and they plan and implement staffing concerns for the betterment of the organization. From preparing job analysis, to comparing inventory and forecasting, it is the responsibility of human resources to consider the objectives of an organization and fulfill those goals while operating the specific planning relative to HR.
In an era of organizational flux due to competition and globalization, companies and employees are faced with constant change. Leaders must be able to adapt to change as the environment shifts. HR has been known as the organizational change agent, administrative expert, and employee advocate. More recently they have been regarded as business strategic partners for many organizations. In order to be successful and remain competitive in today’s market, Human Resources (HR) must be considered a strategic partner if an organization wants to flourish. Top executives today commit significant resources to ensure that their company’s functions are capable of rapid change and achieving their
The role of a Human Resource department is ever changing in today’s volatile business environment. Over the years HR have become strong strategic partners within an organization by providing functions such as recruitment,
1. Ch 1, page 60-61, question 4: What is “evidence based HR”? Why might an HR department resist becoming evidenced based?
2. Give some examples of ethical issues that you have experienced in jobs, and explain how HR did or did not help resolve them.
The role of a Human Resource department is ever changing in today’s volatile business environment. Over the years HR have become strong strategic partners within an
Today 's fast-paced, competitive business environment has resulted in "rediscovery" of the human resource management function as a group that may be able to enhance firm competitiveness and performance by being "strategic" (Dyer & Kochan, 1995; Ulrich, 1997). Strategic Human Resource Management is a term describing an integrated approach to the development of Human Resource Strategy that will enable the organization to achieve its goals (Armstrong, 2005). Whiles strategy is an action that managers take to attain one or more of the organization’s goals. Strategy presents a general direction set for the company and its various components to achieve a desired state in the future. This results from the detailed
People are biggest asset for every organization and, therefore, to draw, motivate, and preserve the most skilled employees and assign them to jobs for which they are exceptionally well suited is a responsible job for human resource. Therefore, human resources management is done in all type of organizations. Profound management of people is equally indispensable in success of organizations as the sound management of production, finance, and other operations. The human resource management field postulates the infinite diversity of people and their dynamics (McKenzie & Traynor, 2002). To get into this career field, one must have the required education degree by completing many different courses, and have the experience along with skills and
The role of the human resources (HR) department can play a significant role in the success and achievements of an organization. The department, which has evolved from the
Whether an organization consists of five or 25,000 employees, human resources management is vital to the success of the organization. HR is important to all managers because it provides managers with the resources – the employees – necessary to produce the work for the managers and the organization. Beyond this role, HR is capable of becoming a strong strategic partner when it comes to “establishing the overall direction and objectives of key areas of human resource management in order to ensure that they not only are consistent with but also support the achievement of business goals.” (Massey, 1994, p. 27)
The field of human resources (HR) plays a critical role in the performance and success of organizations. As organizations have become increasingly more complex, the effective management of HR has become even more important. The traditional perception of HR as only an administrative office is no longer valid. Instead, contemporary HR is directly involved with the internal organizational structure, business operations, and variety of functions carried out by employees on a daily basis (Reed & Bogardus, 2012). HR functions impact the organization’s strategic planning, improvement processes, and goal achievement. Six core bodies of knowledge provide the foundation for all of these HR functions. These areas are: strategic
As outlined above, the strengths of the company depicts the productive means by which the company has the capabilities and opportunities to create a competitive advantage, provided the company begins to link its organizational strategies with HR strategies and activities. Unfortunately, due to the constant turnover in some key executive positions, namely the HR Department, having a consistent and capable HR Director to provide strategic human resource management during a crucial and pivotal stage in the company’s efforts to gain a foothold competitively has been challenging. Pursuing this further, Mitchell, Obeidat, and Bray (2013) point out that, “Given the importance of consistency between what a role purports to achieve and its actual impact, a strategic role for HR professionals should focus on the achievement of organizational goals by aligning HR practices with business objectives (Conner & Ulrich, 1996), (p. 900).
s Company X continue to grow, the need to establish a more mature HR Development Program that responds to the company’s need to succeed in an ever toughening market becomes apparent. HR Development Programs are important in keeping the workers aligned with the goals of the organization. A good Strategic HRD plan helps managers see a clear line of sight between organizational goals, the competencies the employees need to demonstrate and what they as managers need to do in order to encourage and support the acquisition and