Human Resources’ Most Important Role
Jan 15th, 2009 by Scott Hebert
The Human Resources department performs a myriad of functions for any organization. They often are involved in personnel related issues such as hiring, training, and termination. Additionally, Human Resources deals with higher level issues such as health and safety, diversity, and labor relations. The most important aspect of Human Resources is to act in an advisory role for the organization’s top management.
Very few activities undertaken by an organization do not include some sort of personnel involvement. In its advisory role to management, Human Resources must keep management appraised of how new or evolving strategies will impact the company’s employees. Additionally, Human Resources provides advice and assistance to middle managers to train them how to properly and effectively manage their employees, as well as, training them in the company’s preferred management techniques. Finally, Human Resources must keep a close eye on the company’s diversity strategy and ensure that management understands and conforms to that policy (Dessler, 2008).
An excellent example of the importance of this advisory role is when a company begins its first foray into international business. As the company is focused on selecting an initial market to begin overseas operations, Human Resources must keep management apprised of the important differences between domestic and international business environments. The personnel policies that work efficiently in the US may not apply to another country. Often, Human Resources must adapt individual policies for each market in which the company will have operations. It is important that management is advised to how these policy changes will affect the bottom line. Although the final decision to move into an international market is the decision of the company’s senior management, Human Resources plays vital role in advising management regarding the personnel impact of operation in any proposed market (Wild, Wild, & Han, 2008).
References
Dessler, G. (2008). Human Resource Management. (11th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.
Wild, J. J., Wild, K. L., & Han, J. C. (2008). International business: The challenges of globalization. (4th ed.). Upper Saddle River, NJ: Pearson.