As it’s widely accepted that people are the most important asset of any thriving organisation, the effective management of human resources (HR) is naturally central to any sound business strategy.
Wikipedia defines human resource management as the strategic approach to the effective management of people in a company or organization such that they help their business gain a competitive advantage. It is designed to maximize employee performance in service of an employer’s strategic objectives.
The overall purpose of human resources (HR) is to ensure that the organization is able to achieve success through people. HR professionals manage the human capital of an organization and focus on implementing policies and processes.
The term “Human Resource Management” has been referred to as a more recent term. In its earliest stage, HRM started out as a form of welfare in organizations. Basically attending to the needs of employees; attempting to alleviate the harsh working conditions which majority of employees were exposed to, protesting the perceived injustice suffered in the hands of employers.
Over time, it gradually moved from mere “welfare” and began to concern itself with day-to-day management of employees to ensure organizational objectives are achieved. At this stage, it was referred to as Personnel Management. Not until very recent times did we start referring to it as Human Resource Management. This term now refers to all the activities ranging from recruitment and selection, Compensation and Benefits, Employee Relations, Training and development and even more importantly, Strategic Planning.
HR Career Paths
Most HR professionals choose between two broad paths: generalist or specialist.
- Generalist – HR generalists often perform a wide variety of tasks. They do recruit, hiring, training and development, compensation and planning. They often develop personnel policies and ensure that the organization is in compliance with all federal, state and local labor laws. Job titles held by HR generalists include HR assistant, HR manager, and chief HR officer.
- Specialist – HR specialists typically work in larger organizations. Compared to generalists, they have a higher level of technical skill and knowledge in specialized areas, such as workforce planning, HR development, rewards, employee and labor relations, and risk management. Job titles include recruiter, retention specialist, compensation specialist, labor relations manager, safety officer, risk management specialist, benefits analyst, and trainer.
Key responsibilities and tasks in Human Resources
The following are some of the most common tasks for HR departments:
- Address concerns expressed by the employees
- Hire top talent & oversee the departure of current jobholders
- Create career development programmes
- Evaluate individual and overall work performance
- Implement reward systems
- Solve conflicts and other issues (e.g. sexual harassment, bullying)
- Provide guidance and help employees identify their strengths and weaknesses
- Design and evaluate strategies to increase the retention of personnel
- Create a positive and enjoyable work environment
- Build and maintain the company’s culture
- Create and implement programmes that reflect the core values of the organisation
Current developments in HRM
HR is evolving, with the focus changing from the administrative tasks to the strategic input and having a seat at the management table. This is facilitated by the evolving needs of current organisations and by technology, which enables more efficient processing or approval of transactions, budgets, and other financial activities.
HR specialists need to understand business strategy. They need to understand what drives business success and how to engage employees and help them develop and adapt in a constantly changing work environment.
To adapt to the changing business environment, here are some of the most relevant skills that HR specialists can develop: communication, planning & organisation, problem-solving, collaboration, etc.
Benefits of online Human Resources courses
Most people opt for online courses because they want to focus on other priorities, like part-time/full-time jobs, transforming hobbies into a successful business, or spending time with their family and children.
No matter why you’re interested in taking HR courses online, here are some of the main benefits:
Save time & money
You’ll save money on transportation, accommodation, and you’ll spend less time commuting. In a society where many people complain about not having enough time for themselves, an online course might help you make the best of both worlds.
Master your schedule
You can Study when you want, where you want. To study online, you only need a reliable internet connection and computer or a mobile device, like a laptop, tablet, or even a smartphone if the smaller screen size isn’t a deal-breaker for you.
Improve your digital skills
An online Human Resources course allows you to explore the latest platforms used for communication and sharing files. You might already be familiar with the most common online tools, but you can discover new apps or websites that make your work easier. You might even recommend them at your workplace if you feel they can improve communication and collaboration.
Online courses improve your CV
It is a huge asset on your Curriculum Vitae. It will show future employees that you’re an ambitious person who can establish goals, identify the steps to get there and do what’s needed to succeed.
