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The “OTHER” roles of HR

 


What everyone knows about HR

What everyone actually believe that HR does is not more than just recruiting people, do some admin work, making payroll and giving salaries. Beyond all these HR plays the crucial “OTHER” roles. HR is not just simply about helping people of the organization, managing them to get the work done but it helps the organization strategically to meet its objectives. HR aligns people oriented goals with the business goals to facilitate success for both the business and its employees

The development of HR within the business

HR is not only about managing people or resources but it carries numerous roles and responsibilities. In one hand it is the backbone of the organization, the impact HR can create is huge, and it can add a positive vibe to the organization and its culture and sets an energetic tone for the organization and its employees.

Going back to the early 90’s HR was considered as a caretaker of the business. It was believed that the employees should be handled under a low cost. HR was seen as a potential source for efficiency gains ( Becker & Gerhart, 1996). However, with the external changes organizations has to adopt their practices accordingly which lead the HR to evolve. Furthermore coming back to the digital era of work, the working nature and the demands were constantly changing. HR too has to change in order to grab the new opportunities and stay relevant

The ‘OTHER Roles”:

“Collectively, HR has the potential to truly be a force for good that makes a positive impact on organizations and societies if we have the courage to step up to the challenge.”– Dr. Marna van der Merwe

As per the AIHR, HR balances the needs of the organization, the individuals’ and to the society, specifically HR makes a contribution in the following

  1. Accessibility of work 
  2. Equality and fairness
  3. Human-AI interaction
  4. Voice for societal issues
  5. Human wellbeing
  6. Climate
  7. adaptation.                                                                                                                                                               

 Thus let’s explore the diverse roles HR professionals play within a 0rganization

 HR as a strategic partner  

Coming out from the old school of thought, the HR considered as vital to support the organization strategically in workforce planning, talent management, organizational development, ensuring compliance with employment.

HR as an Administrative Expert:-

HR acts as an administrative expert by managing HR Operations and ensure smooth day to day HR Functions which includes overseeing HR processes such as recruitment, onboarding, payroll, and compliance with employment laws. Improve administrative efficiency and effectiveness.

 HR as an Employee Champion

Champion always stands for others, motivate them, and pass the positive vibe and enthusiasm on to others similarly, HR can act as an employee champion by supporting for employee needs, ensuring equal treatment, and creating positive work culture  which leads to overall staff engagement and enhance productivity

HR as a change Agent:-

"To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often" - Winston S. Churchill. Change is inevitable. Change is a challenging and change is the answer in the process of development. Thus handling, managing and maintaining change is crucial when it comes to work environment. That’s where HR comes as a change agent to Lead and manage organizational change and transformation. HR Facilitate change management processes, support organizational restructuring, and guide employees through transitions to ensure successful implementation of new initiatives.

HR as a Talent Manger

As a talent manager it is the responsibility of HR to focus on acquiring, developing, and retaining top talent. Thus HR should develop and implement strategies for talent acquisition, career development, succession planning, and performance management

HR as a compliance officer

For an organization to walk towards its path for success it is important to make sure that, there are no sideways which slow down the journey but everything are in order. That’s why HR plays the role of compliance officer and ensure the organization is adhering to legal and regulatory requirements. Also its HR‘s responsibility to Monitor and enforce compliance with labor laws, health and safety regulations, and other legal requirements related to employment 

 HR as an Organizational Development Specialist:-

HR plays the role of development specialist and contributing to enhance organizational effectiveness and culture. Thus HR is responsible in implementing programs and initiatives that improve organizational performance, employee satisfaction, and overall workplace culture.

Conclusion:-

Performing the traditional HR functions such as recruitment, payroll, compliance HR also plays a crucial role in fostering employee well-being, driving organizational culture, and support the organization to grow strategically. Also, coming out from the daily, commonly accepted tasks, HR also act as mentors, coaches, change agents, advocates in order to enhance workplace harmony and boosting overall performance. Therefore by playing these multifaceted roles, HR empowers organizations to achieve growth through employee satisfaction and business growth.

 

References

  • Becker, B. E., & Gerhart, B. (1996). The impact of human resource management on organizational performance: Progress and prospects. Academy of Management Journal, 39(4), 779-801.
  • AIHR (Academy to Innovate HR). (n.d.). The Future of HR: Key Roles in Driving Organizational Success. Retrieved from https://www.aihr.com
  • Churchill, W. S. (n.d.). To improve is to change; to be perfect is to change often.
  • Van der Merwe, M. (n.d.). Collectively, HR has the potential to truly be a force for good that makes a positive impact on organizations and societies if we have the courage to step up to the challenge.

Comments

  1. HR’s role has expanded beyond just payroll and recruitment. It’s now a key strategic partner in managing talent, driving change, and boosting employee engagement. This evolution highlights HR’s integral impact on organizational success.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Today's HR provide support and guidance to overcome professional and personal challenges, design and develop training materials and programmes.

    ReplyDelete
  3. HR’s role extends far beyond traditional functions like recruitment and payroll. By acting as development specialists, mentors, and change agents, HR professionals drive organizational culture, employee well-being, and long-term business success. A strong HR strategy not only enhances workplace harmony but also aligns employees with the company’s vision, fostering both individual and organizational growth.

    ReplyDelete
  4. In an organization, the HR manager often has to take on many tasks that go beyond their regular job description. This is especially true when certain roles do not have dedicated employees. As a result, the HR manager must step in and manage these extra responsibilities. Therefore, HR managers need to be versatile and possess a wide range of skills to support the organization effectively.

    ReplyDelete
  5. HR’s role goes far beyond recruitment and payroll. It involves fostering a positive workplace culture, supporting employee well-being, driving organizational change, and ensuring legal compliance. By embracing these 'other' roles, HR becomes a key strategic partner in driving overall business success.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Intersting article on how HR can impact to the every aspect of an organization. Your quote on HR as a change agent is a more relevant to today's fast paced changing business environment. If HR can manage changes effectively it will be a defineat advantage for a company

    ReplyDelete
  7. Beyond recruitment and hiring,HR plays crirical roles in employee engagement,performance management,compensation and benefits,training and development,risk management,and ensuring legal compliance.

    ReplyDelete
  8. Human Resource Management (HRM) is no longer just about hiring, payroll, and policy enforcement, it has actioned into a strategic function that shapes organizational culture, employee experience, and business success. The "other" roles in HRM, such as employee relations, compliance, performance management, diversity & inclusion, HR analytics, change management, talent development, engagement, and compensation—highlight how HR professionals are now key drivers of workplace innovation and sustainability.

    ReplyDelete

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