Human resources professionals work with managers and staff to develop human resources strategies and programs that address the organization’s needs and strategic plans. They ensure these strategies and programs are effective, meaningful, and fair to both employers and employees.
They assess opportunities for better equity, diversity, and inclusion in their organization’s workforce. They recommend solutions to address related problems and reduce negative impacts.
In recruitment and selection, human resources professionals:
- Develop, implement, and evaluate recruitment programs and practices that identify potential labour markets, attract potential employees, and retain current employees
- Advertise vacant positions
- Screen applicants
- Ensure recruitment standards are fair and applicants are evaluated according to their qualifications
- Select or help to select the most qualified applicants
- Check applicants’ references
- Prepare offers of employment
- Administer onboarding and offboarding practices (such as orientations and exit interviews)
In compensation, they:
- Develop, implement, evaluate, and administer a total rewards structure that includes compensation, pensions, benefits, and employee assistance programs
- Gather and interpret compensation-related data
- Recommend changes to compensation programs
- Advise on compensation practices and exceptions available to attract key talent
- Make salary recommendations
In employee benefits administration, they:
- Coordinate employee benefit plans related to life, medical, dental, or disability insurance
- Supervise staff who administer benefit and reward programs
In learning and development, they:
- Identify ways to improve employee competence and versatility
- Arrange for, or in some cases deliver, in-house training programs for employees
- Research external training resources and provide employees with access to them
In performance management, they:
- Define performance standards consistent with the organization’s mission, culture, environment, strategy, and structure
- Develop, implement, and evaluate employee recognition and engagement programs that align with the organization’s culture and values
In health, safety, and wellness, they:
- Develop, implement, and evaluate health, safety, and wellness policies, programs, and procedures (for example, attendance policies, duty to accommodate procedures, or programs to educate employees about violence and harassment)
- Ensure compliance through training, monitoring, and reporting
- Manage disability accommodations and return-to-work programs
- Work with occupational health and safety officers
- Liaise with the Workers’ Compensation Board
In classification, they:
- Establish positions that fit organizational requirements
- Work with managers to prepare, evaluate, and allocate positions
- Conduct reviews to ensure consistency with others in the industry
- Compare positions for equity purposes
In labour relations, they:
- Prepare, research, negotiate, evaluate, and interpret collective agreements
- Mediate labour disputes and grievances
- Provide advice about employee and labour relations issues
- Ensure compliance with collective agreements
- Ensure compliance with employment, human rights, safety, and other relevant legislation
In human resources planning, they:
- Forecast the organization’s human resources needs
- Collect data relating to trends in termination, WCB claims, attendance, and punctuality
- Develop and implement succession planning initiatives when a knowledge transfer is needed, such as before employees retire
Human resources professionals also use and oversee the management of human-resources information systems.
The specific duties of a human resources professional vary with the size of the organization. In a large organization, they may specialize in 1 or more areas. In a small business, 1 general manager may be responsible for all human resources work. They may have other responsibilities as well.