The Most Common HR Questions Answered – HR Affiliates Blog
Maybe you’re not quite sure about the functions of HR, or perhaps you still have some unanswered questions about guidelines and compliance issues. In this blog post we’ll demystify the functions of HR and answer your most frequently asked questions about costs, compliance, and more.
What does Human Resources do?
HR has many functions: it helps your business recruit competitive candidates, interview prospective employees, intervene in employee relations, craft and execute company policy, and remain legally compliant under state and federal workplace regulations. It’s essentially a department or team that mediates personnel matters from an administrative perspective. With a focus on employees, the most valuable assets of a business, HR is as important as marketing, operations or accounting.
Do I need Human Resources?
Short answer: yes. Your company will be glad to have a dedicated HR department in different instances for a number of reasons. Furthermore, your company will be able to focus on its products, services, and central goals while HR takes care of a lot of the behind-the-scenes work. Properly positioned into a company, HR adds real value to a company in many ways.
What happens if I don’t have Human Resources?
Your company runs a huge risk when you don’t have a committed HR team behind you. HR can provide your business a safety net that will protect you from unexpected emergencies, unlawful practices, and unnecessary lawsuits. HR will also make the hiring and firing processes much more fluid and straightforward.
Is Human Resources bad for company culture?
Contrary to an outdated yet persistent stigma, HR will help establish a productive, cohesive company culture. Your culture should be a reflection of your company’s core values, and HR will serve as a mediator while your business’s environment evolves.
How much does Human Resources cost?
A lot less than a bad hire, a high turnover rate, and, most jarringly, an expensive workplace-related litigation process. While developing an HR department might seem like a costly endeavor, your investment will ultimately pay off through protective and compliant company policy.
How much money will I lose if I’m not in compliance?
Just last year, the Department of Labor raised fines for compliance-related infractions. These civil penalty amounts add up quickly. An HR department will ensure your company avoids these kinds of fines by keeping your company compliant under federal and state laws.
HR is complex and often confusing, but what’s crystal clear is that having a qualified human resources solution — whether off-site consultants or in-house personnel — will allow you and your team to focus on doing what you do best: running your business.
We know these FAQs only touch the surface of an admittedly deep business concept. For more information on why employing an effective HR department is necessary for your business, check out our blog “The Real Cost of Poor HR Practices.”