The Integral Role of Human Resources in Business

A proactive HR department deals with far more than payroll, employee benefits and hiring and firing. HR policies should ensure that personnel activities are aligned with corporate strategies and goals. The HR department is responsible, among other things, for: recruitment, staff training and professional development, labour relations, benefits administration and ensuring compliance with health and safety regulations. The success of an organization relies on its ability to manage a diverse workforce, ensuring company policies are followed and liaising with personnel regarding best practices and management initiatives. A good HR department will facilitate all of this while building a sense of commitment and loyalty among employees. Recruiters need to ensure that potential employees have the appropriate knowledge and skills to enable the company to move forward and achieve its goals. They will likely have a database of résumés to peruse when hiring and most corporations will use Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS) software to simplify the hiring process. Web-based programs such as Shift iQ, with its Talent Management component, are not only far more cost effective, but as an on-demand SaaS application, also far more accessible. Professional development allows a company to improve skills and keep employees abreast of the latest initiatives, both within the company and in the industry at large. One of the roles of Human Resources is to facilitate ongoing staff training and education. To help with this, Shift iQ’s Learning Management component has both self-study and instructor-led programs, together with training and course materials, quizzes and a library of exam questions. Self-assessment tools are also available. Managing a diverse body of employees involves many challenges. The HR department’s role includes liaison between the organization and its employees, often dealing with disputes and legal issues. Compensation is also the HR department’s responsibility. Again, companies may utilize HRIS software or on-demand clould-based applications to assist them with this and ensure fair and consistent compensation for all employees. Shift iQ offers Compensation and Performance Management modules, including employee and customer surveys and salary benchmarks. Achieving a happy, motivated, up-to-date and efficient workforce is crucial to the present and future success of any organization and the role of the HR department is pivotal in achieving this ideal. There is a plethora of software solutions available to HR professionals to help them simplify their operations; Shift iQ’s philosophy is “to develop and deliver innovative web applications focused on streamlining the way companies optimize their human resources and talent”. Launched in August 2010 by InSite Systems, Shift iQ is a purpose driven solution designed to revolutionize the HR industry by optimizing human resources and organizational talent.