What Is Human Resource Management?

Most people have heard of it but many still wonder, what is human resource management? In its most basic sense, it is the process used by businesses to manage their people, who are considered human resources. This management pervades every aspect related to people e.g. recruitment, selection, payroll, performance management, training and the like.

Every company in existence today implements some sort of HRM because of the many benefits associated with it. By opting to govern itself outside of HRM policies and procedures, a company is pretty much signing its own death sentence. One of the first things a company bound for success should do is hire its human resources manager.

Functions

The head of the HRM department is the human resources manager and this is the person who is seen to be at the helm of a steadily controlled ship. This is the person who makes what is HR management a workable system instead of just a list of company processes. Some of the most important functions of an HRM include the following:

• Institutes policies and procedures that are specific to a company and its people but also adheres to labour law and regulations. This protects the company and its staff.
• Establishes systems and processes that control staff e.g. regulations regarding breaks, leave, punctuality and the like.
• Evaluates systems and makes recommendations on improvements.
• Makes rules and guidelines regarding recruitment and selection based on the company’s value system and requirements.
• Serves as a representative for the human resources department of the company.
• Provides reports on all aspects of HRM function to those who require it.
• Implements training and skills development systems for employees.
• Heads up assessment of employees.
• Implements company wide performance management strategies.
• Deals with employee grievances involving policies, procedures, payroll, leave and any other aspect that is people oriented in the company.

By looking at the above functions, you can see that the role of a human resources Manager covers every possible aspect of HRM in a company. They are the person that makes sure everything runs the way it is supposed to; an integral bridge between management and employees that no company can successfully do without.

Benefits

With regard to laws and regulations, human resource management helps a company keep to legislation when it comes to its employees. This works from how recruitment and selection takes place to how the employees are treated, the environment they work in and all other safety and health regulations.

Policies, procedures and other systems work to control the staff so that the company functions as a cohesive unit. This is beneficial to the company in that its human resources become the engine that drives the brand.