Human Resource Management (HRM) is the department within an organization primarily concerned with the recruitment of and management of the people who work for the organization. Part of the responsibilities include overseeing employee benefits, training and development, and performance evaluations. The best human resource managers provides direction for the people who work in an organization and also seek to aid in their satisfaction. The Human Relations Movement in the 1930s began to examine worker satisfaction and its relation to productivity, and began to lend its focus primarily on the psychology and “fit” of the worker with the company. A psychologist called Elton Mayo recognized the following as essential components to a healthy work environment: social aspects take precedence over functional organizational structures, the need for reciprocal communication, leadership development. Many HR departments are responsible for generating the culture of the organization. They are required to oversee and to ensure that their organization appropriately builds teams and inspires employee empowerment. In contrast with Taylorism that focuses primarily on efficiency and production (and was very popular during the Industrial Revolution), Human Resources’ prime focus is on the empowered individual. The need for strong human resource managers continues to rise as companies expand and some globalize.
The challenge remains the same big or small and seems to be the key component for the best places to work. When creating its “Best Places to Work” ranking Fortune uses Trust Index survey feedback where employees are asked to assess their workplace for the quality of leadership, support for their professional and personal lives and their relationships with colleagues. Outdated methodologies for leadership may have sought more stringent working conditions that produced more at lower costs. But over the years, the results of an empowered workforce are reflected in employee satisfaction as well as the organizations success. The results are in, and the top 10 Best Places to Work are: Google, Wegmans Food Markets, The Boston Consulting Group, Baird, Edward Jones, Genentech, Ultimate Software, Salesforce, Acuity, and Quicken Loans. What do all of these places have in common? A great human resources management team.
Interested in a flexible, online HR MBA? Check out our ranking of the 10 best in the nation here.
HR MBA Potential Job description
A Human Resources manager adjusts HR and business strategy, continually builds organization processes, and listens to and responds to employees ensuring the achievement of positive change for the individual and for the company. Human Resources helps to ensure that the interests of the individual and the company align.
Overall, a Human Resources Manager oversees organizational leadership and culture. HR managers also ensure conformity with employment and labor laws of the area, and often supervise health, and safety. Human Resource managers are often in charge of staffing where they recruit and select potential employees. They may take part in reviewing applications and interviewing. HR Managers may take on the responsibility of training and development that furthers and individual’s and organization’s professional development. And finally, to keep the commitment of the individuals who work for the company (and prevent turn over)
the human resources manager continues to create innovate methods to motivate productivity whether that is through incentives like employee benefits, performance appraisals or other rewards.
HR is generally viewed as a support function to the business, helping to minimize costs and reduce risk.
How Much Does a Human Resources Manager Make?
The median income of a Human Resources Manager in the United State is $97,477 due to the versatility and dependability required of the individuals. Though there is some difference depending on experience, state, and company the HR manager will develop practical solutions that minimize organizational conflict, increase productivity of workers, and generally mitigate problems that may arise and then become a risk to an organization or company. This person must not only understand how to recruit and hire the right candidates but also understand the psychology and needs of the employees and the business. Salaries ranger between $75,064 to $120,895. The Chief HR Officer is one the higher end of that curb.
Other options within the field include the following:
- Human Resources Assistant.
- Plant Human Resources Manager
- Chief HR Officer
- Human Resources Supervisor
- Insurance Specialist.
- Recruiting
What it involves: MBA in Human Resources Management
The Master of Business Administration (MBA) is a business degree that offers a balance of theory. MBA prepare working adults for advancement in the field of business that prepare individuals for advancement into upper-management positions. An MBA enhances career opportunities while providing the structural foundational knowledge of business administration. The core components of the curriculum include courses on making decisions for business, economics, managerial accounting, and finance. Most programs include course material on organizational theory and practice, legal and ethical issues, communications, marketing, business technology and global/ international business strategies.
A leadership and human resources management degree combines foundational business theory and practice with a strong focus on the human relations component to conducting an ethical business. And MBA in Human Resources Management focuses on best practices in job analysis, recruiting, training and development. HR MBAs examine human behavior in organizations and many programs offer a course on psychology and best practice organization behavior. Your specialization in Human Resources should include course material on organizational practice and theory, information systems management, human resources management and theory, and employment law. The best programs include course material on training and development, benefits, insurance and compensation, and recruitment selection and placement.
Human Resources Manager Must-Have Skills:
Analytical skills that identify and resolve complex business problems
Flexibility/ Open to learning
Financial Analysis
Global Awareness
Leadership
Accounting
Management Strategies
Ability to design compensation and benefits programs
Collaborative capabilities
Knowledge of Current Business Management Technologies
Oral and written communication
Good listener
High Empathy Skills
Implement effective mediation strategies
Recruitment
Talent-Scouting
Placement
Knowledge of Employee/Employer law
Comprehensive Understanding of Employment and Labor Laws