What Does a Human Resource Manager Do, and Why is HR Important?
HR managers are vital assets for companies and human resources departments to thrive. However, many people need clarification on HR managers' numerous roles and responsibilities, begging the question: why is HR important?
You're in luck if you want to understand what an HR manager does and how they help. This article covers everything about HR managers and what to anticipate in this position.
What is an HR Manager?
A Human Resources (HR) manager is a senior professional responsible for overseeing the day-to-day operations of the HR department. The HR manager in an organization helps plan and organize administrative positions within the company. This role is essential because the HR manager contributes heavily to the company’s strategic planning and acts as the link between the administrative staff and employees.
What is the Role and Duty of an HR Manager in a Company?
The primary role of an HR manager in an organization is to guarantee that the company’s human resources are managed efficiently and effectively. Their roles and responsibilities include but are not limited to the tasks listed below.
Talent and Recruitment
An HR manager is responsible for finding, interviewing, and selecting the best candidates for the company. The HR manager is also responsible for onboarding new employees and ensuring they have the necessary resources and equipment to perform their job effectively.
Training and Development
HR managers develop a comprehensive training process for employees. This process includes creating and administering training programs, identifying areas of improvement, and developing strategies to ensure that employees are meeting their goals.
Payroll and Benefits
An HR manager is also responsible for overseeing the payroll and benefits processes. The payroll and benefits process involves:
- Calculating and processing employee payroll.
- Administering employee benefits.
- Ensuring that all policies are followed.
Compliance and Governance
The HR manager ensures that a company complies with all applicable laws and regulations. This responsibility includes staying current on all HR laws and regulations, ensuring that all policies and procedures are followed, and monitoring employee performance.
Enforce Disciplinary Action
An HR manager is responsible for taking disciplinary action when needed. These actions may include issuing warnings and suspensions and following up with employees to ensure that disciplinary action has been effective.
Update Policies
An HR manager is responsible for updating the company’s policies and procedures. This process includes reviewing existing policies, developing new policies, and communicating changes to employees. You can use Craft's free handbook and policies template to create and share materials with your team.
Skills an Effective HR Manager Needs to Develop
To fulfill an HR manager's various roles and responsibilities, you require a specific skill set to meet the administrative staff and employees' needs. Below are the top skills of an effective HR manager.
Communication
An effective, qualified HR manager needs to be able to communicate with both employees and management. Communication skills necessary in an effective leader include:
- Speaking clearly, and effectively communicating a message to a team
- Writing and presenting information for executives and employees
- Ability to listen to employees and gather feedback to improve current employee relationships
- Ability to account for everyone’s needs and develop an effective workplace strategy
Leadership
HR managers must be able to lead and manage a team through numerous tasks. Strong leadership skills are essential to ensure that an HR manager can complete the following tasks:
- Setting goals
- Motivating employees to reach their full potential
- Upholding processes when hiring and training employees
- Risk management
- Monitoring work teams and individual performances
Organization
An effective HR manager needs to be organized and able to multitask daily. Along with the ability to prioritize tasks, HR managers must be able to develop the following organizational skills:
- Ability to delegate duties efficiently
- Accurately tracking deadlines
- Managing talent scouting and hiring
- Managing employee training
- Workplace dispute management
- Payroll and benefits
Empathy
Empathy is one of the most valuable skills an HR manager should have to manage a team of employees effectively. Empathy is a versatile skill that many need help implementing in a leadership role. Below are some tips for developing your empathy skills as an HR manager:
- Listen to employees more than you speak
- Share your perspective only after hearing out the employee or executive
- Be willing to show vulnerability
- Avoid making assumptions about an employee’s perspective or situation
- Be imaginative when trying to understand how another employee is feeling
What are the Education Requirements of an HR Manager?
If you are wondering how to become an HR manager, you should start with the basics: education. Most HR managers must obtain a bachelor’s degree before entering the field. HR managers typically have a degree in fields including the following:
- Human resources
- Business
- Communications
- Psychology
Depending on the position, a candidate may need to obtain a master’s degree in human resources, labor relations, or business administration. Employers often require three to five years of employee relations experience before considering a candidate for an HR manager position.
The level of education you receive depends on the position you want to achieve in human resources. An associate’s degree might be suitable for entry-level positions in human resources, whereas a bachelor’s degree would offer higher-level positions. Your master’s degree is a wise option if you want to become an executive leader.
Developing a Career in HR Management
The first step to take when developing a career in HR management is to earn a college degree in HR or a related field. A college degree gives you the educational foundation to pursue an HR career. You can also find programs that offer courses in HR management, allowing you to expand your knowledge and gain valuable experience.
After earning the necessary degree, the next step is gaining practical experience. Internships or volunteer opportunities with local businesses and organizations can be a great way to gain hands-on experience and entry-level HR positions like an administrative assistant or recruitment coordinator. These positions will allow you to learn the ropes and build your resume.
Remember to stay current on the latest trends and developments in HR management. You can stay informed on the latest news and developments in many ways, such as by joining professional organizations, attending conferences and seminars, and reading industry publications.
Key Documents that Make an HR Manager’s Job Easier
HR managers can significantly benefit from various key documents to make their job easier and better manage their workloads. For instance, high-quality templates for crucial company documents including the following:
- Personal development reviews
Numerous templates and designs are available to make an HR manager’s job easier and more efficient, such as the options accessible through Craft. Craft is an essential resource for many HR managers, business professionals, and freelancers looking to organize their businesses with comprehensive templates for their most important documents.
Find the Best Resources at Craft
HR managers hold numerous responsibilities when overseeing the day-to-day operations of a department. Whether you need documents to navigate through onboarding or a new layout for your employee handbook, Craft has the best templates for you.
Check out our HR and professional templates gallery to boost your organization and improve your performance at work.