When people think of the Human Resources department, the first thing that comes to mind is that they did something wrong. The HR department is more than just hiring and firing, they handle some of the most important parts of any business. For all of you HR heroes that go unnoticed, this blog is for you!
Here are a few things the HR department does that most people don’t pay attention to:
Data Management
Keeping information up to date is one of the most crucial elements of any successful business. Making sure your employment forms, documentation, and policies are up to date is an easy way to set yourself up for success. HR is also responsible for making sure employee records are up to date as well as making sure all the relevant documentation is properly filled out and accounted for. They also keep track of the hours everyone works and make sure they get paid on time and for the proper amount!
Maintaining the Handbook
The HR team is responsible for maintaining the company handbook. The handbook is the source of all the information you need when becoming familiar with the company. This book will tell you what to do if you have a problem with your paycheck or how you should go about updating your health benefits. This book is always changing and being updated and someone needs to ensure that nothing is missing! They are also responsible for letting the employees know when changes are made and receiving acknowledgement that they know of the changes.
Recruiting New Employees
Hiring a new employee is a lot of work. First you have to write the job description. It needs to be thorough and fully explain what the role consists of, and it also needs to say what the qualifications are. And then after that, you need to find a way to get it in front of the potential candidates. Once people start applying, they now have to sift through all of the applicants and determine who is a good fit for the role. Then they have to reach out and schedule an interview. And then there’s the interview process, and we all know how that goes. And then after lots and lots of interviews they need to decide who the best candidate is and make them an offer. And likely after some serious negotiations, they can finally hire that candidate. And if you’re not exhausted from reading all of this, refer to the “Data Management” paragraph to see what comes next.
Employee Termination
If you have ever been let go from a job for any reason, you know that it is not a fun conversation. And if you have ever been the person to have to inform someone they are being let go from their job, you know it is even less fun than being let go. The HR department is responsible for letting people go and they have to make sure they do it it a way that is compliant and won’t negatively affect the business down the road.
Benefit Management
Health Insurance, vacation days, stock options, retirement planning… these are just a few of the company benefits the HR department is in charge of managing. They are constantly working with the various benefit providers to ensure that their employees are getting the best they can offer. They make sure to inform employees of any changes to their benefits and explain how things will be affected.
These are just a few of the things the HR department takes care of. It also happens to be a list of a few of the HR services we offer at Doyle HCM. If you have any questions or would like to hear about how we can help your business thrive, please feel free to reach out!