What Is Human Resource Department
One of the earliest known HR departments ever established was Personnel Management back in 1901. This was the US government’s response to a strike at the National Cash Register Co. in Dayton, Ohio.
Back in the 18th century, the main function of this department was to oversee the wellness of employees. If workers are healthy, productivity in the workplace is high.
That changed after the 20th century. This became the department that holds the responsibility to seek methods of improving workplace efficiency.
Now, the modern HR department has additional functions. According to the founder of HR Learning Lab and Audacity HR Stacy Johnston, its duties include:
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Recruit from a pool of candidates
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Hire deserving applicants
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On-board productive talents
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Retain talented candidates
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Build inclusive, engaged, and productive teams
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Provide ongoing training
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Provide talent development
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Resolve complex wage and hours issues
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Create equitable and valuable benefits and compensation packages
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Provide skilled and compassionate advice to employee issues
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Get updates on National and Local laws about employment rights and privileges
The Hot Topics in Human Resource Management
In a report by the Society for Human Resource Management, the HR role will continuously change as Artificial Intelligence or AI and Analytics are introduced.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence will help in automating the tasks of an HR officer in talent acquisition with recruiting and hiring, according to Johnston. Other companies already follow this trend by using chat bots to handle queries 24/7.
The Role of Analytics
Analytics helps HR professionals and higher management make data-driven decisions when it comes to talent acquisition and other department functions.
Johnston said that its power can help mitigate the wage differences between genders and races. In return, HR experts can use the data in developing strategies to close the wage gap.
These future trends in HR management are bound to their pitfalls. If these two have recorded wrong sets of data, then faulty decisions may happen.
Johnston encourages HR practitioners to participate in the process and provide training on leadership and guidance on the use of AI and Analytics in the employment scene.
4 Trends in Human Resource Management
The focus of an HR professional does not only include staying on top of HR trends but also to act as the company’s workforce advisor, said Jill Goldstein, a global practice lead in Talent and HR operations in Accenture Miami.
Four trends will soon come into effect in every office. These include:
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Diversity Management
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Work Flexibility
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Attitude Shift on Communication
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On-Demand Training System
Diversity Management
Challenges are expected to rise as HR continues to evolve over the years. The American Society for Public Administration reported that there’s a demand to diversify the workforce and adjust the company services to meet the needs of the population.
The shift to diversify inside the workplace answers the on-going issues about the multiple lifestyles of employees and personal characteristics in different office groups.
A 2009 study by Pitts found that employee-group performance and overall job satisfaction is the result of having diversity management in the office.
Work Flexibility
Jeff Butler, a workplace expert who helped Amazon and Google on HR issues, suggests that companies need to step up in their work flexibility. The change in how face-time management works in the offices need to happen. Business owners need to embrace the idea of work from home.
According to Butler, performance-driven performance management is not just for one industry. He says it is doable in all industries if everybody is open to change their policies.
Attitude Shift on Communication
HR must stay relevant and get updates to how they manage the communication inside the workplace.
TEDx speaker and ICF-certified executive coach Tim Toterhi said that IT went through a metamorphosis and succeeded in changing the topics of their conversation for better collaboration.
He strongly encourages employees and employers to speak up for their ideas openly and honestly and forget the practice of asking for permission first before going to the HR department.
On-Demand Training System
Troy Anderson, an HR professional focused on strategies, suggests that companies should stop following the old mindset in handling training sessions.
A study by GetBridge found that a person who learned something new in an hour retains only half of the information given to them. This is the reason why Anderson strongly believes in instituting a culture of learning.
With a system that provides on-demand training videos, employees can join in a culture of on-demand and continuous learning.
If you want to get started on your HR department’s digitization process, the experts in the industry can assist. Or you can send us a message today.