What is a good Human Resources department supposed to do?

[bertha katzenengel]

Inquiring minds want to know!

I'm serious: I guess I don't really know what HR is supposed to do, so I'd like to hear from people on this.

Thanks!

[LostinVA]

1. There is no such thing, imo...

[Deja Q]

2. Find ways to pressure their employees to resign.

they don't want to pay health benefits (though they cause a lot of 'em), unemployment insurance, be involved in disability matters...

As has been said, there is no good HR dept. :cry:

[VelmaD]

3. Do all the scut work of the hiring process...

checking references and education and other qualifications.

They should also be involved in making sure people's job duties match up to their job description and pay grade.

They handle the paperwork for insurance and other benefits.

They handle the paperwork for job appraisals, raises and promotions.

They should be involved in making sure any disciplinary actions are handled in accordance with the law.

They should be part of the process of resolving employee grievances.

I audited HR a long time ago...that's just a short list off the top of my head. Unfortunately I know a lot of HR departments are useless.

[SOteric]

6. Yep, all that, - and

most HR departments place ads for new hires, coordinate resumes with interviews, provide references on employees in accordance with federal, state and local guidelines, deal with all benefits and disbursements of benefits to survivers or deceased employees, refer employees out to counciling, rehab and greivance resolution programs where appropriate, provide and coordinate training programs where appropriate and coordinate 'morale' boosting company events.

[Lisa]

4. we had an HR person who was so good that I never met her

I didn't even know where her office was, because I never had to march over there to clarify something. She was frequently on top of problems before we knew they were happening (for example, I was hired at the last minute to cover for someone on emergency leave, and she made sure that I was paid at the same time as everyone else, at the appropriate pay grade too -- and I didn't have to sign a whole bunch of forms because she did the paperwork and expedited it through Accounting). Things just happened, without fanfare, and appeared perfectly normal. (Although, after she was replaced by someone else, we sure noticed the difference -- it took a lot longer to get things done, and it was usually accompanied by a big fuss.)

[Serial Mom]

5. HR is an oxymoron

it is neither a resource or human

[Lisa]

7. I have to admit that I find the term rather creepy

Our track record with regular resources (renewable and non-renewable) isn't that inspiring. We use them up and then we throw them away.

Probably this view of "human resources" is in line with what some economics/management types believe, so we can't get them for false advertising!

[Eureka]

8. Protect the company from the workers

Of course.

[DawgHouse]

11. That is the main function. Lots of people forget that

and expect HR to help them.

[Taxloss]

9. Two things.

1. process payroll and expenses swiftly and efficiently.

2. Stay out of the way.

[bridgit]

10. HR, as it is configured these days, so far as i can see, colates...

benefits according to state & corporate guidelines, assuring mostly; that t's are crossed i's dotted and such :shrug: making sure beyond that that shit doesn't back on the corporation in the forms of labor/law suits.

hubby makes them dance & review supervisory personnel so that they are cognizant of employee rights. they drag their feet, but they have to perform to those standards as well, more often than they cared to admit. he used to be a shop steward, and so, thinks in those terms quite often :thumbsup:

also feels that 'the big change' occurred when they began to call them HR = human resources. and not the employment department. and sometimes i see his point. part of all that reagan, 'take control of your destiny' crap = there's plenty more where you came from; vote with your feet; don't let the door hit you on the way out x(