HR Is Not Simple

I ended my last post by saying every organization requires at least one HR function.  Some people wonder if an organization that consists of one person requires HR functions.  The answer is yes.  A one-person organization needs at least two HR functions, a job description and payroll.  You have to be able to explain to someone what you do (i.e. a job description).  In order for you to get paid you have to give someone your bank account number and routing number (i.e. payroll).  Regardless of the size of an organization HR is a vital part.

The current needs of an organization will dictate which HR functions are more important than others.  Here are three HR functions that will strength an organization and/or propel it forward,

strategic human resources, Strategic Workforce Planning (SWP), and employee development.  

Strategic human resources helps an organization meet its strategic goals through its most important asset, humans.  A strategic HR plan lays out how HR functions are going to support the goals and strategy of an organization and outlines the gap between current goals and future goals.

SWP anticipates the future business and environmental demands of an organization and meets the talent requirements dictated by those conditions.  SWP ascertains the current number of employees and based on the goals of the company, determines if the number of employees needs to increase or decrease.  SWP assesses the skills and abilities of the current workforce.  If the number of employees needs to increase SWP predicts the future talent requirements (i.e. skills and abilities).

Employee development ascertains the skill-set of current employees.  It determines if the skill-set matches the job function each employee is performing.  If not, it will determine the training each employee needs so they can effectively and efficiently perform their job.  If employes can effectively and efficiently perform their jobs it positions an organization to be competitive and/or an industry leader. 

Regardless of the size of an organization HR always plays a vital role.  The complexity of the HR functions depends on the size of an organization, and it’s needs.