Human resource (HR) managers work in virtually every industry of every size company. While organizations are not required to have an HR department, they serve a critical role in building a superior workforce, maintaining corporate policies and practices, and creating a culture of respect among workers. In essence, human resource management contributes to the bottom line by ensuring a company has the right workers to conduct business while nurturing an environment that enhances employee satisfaction and retention.
Without HR, enterprises may not remain competitive in their industries or meet future objectives. For example, a smaller company experiencing fast growth will depend on HR to recruit and hire new team members, while a larger company may rely on human resource management to develop a satisfying culture to retain employees, especially during the current great resignation culture.
The pandemic showcased the value of HR in creating and enforcing new remote working policies that supported the organization’s ongoing productivity, while protecting the safety of employees. Working in crisis mode, HR management helped develop strategies to maintain enterprise operations while understanding the challenges faced by employees while working through the crisis.
According to HR Director, the pandemic revealed the importance of HR professionals in leading businesses through crisis response, addressing changing rules and legislation, implementing new remote working policies and dealing with employee welfare and engagement. HR remains instrumental as the world moves forward in a new working reality created by the pandemic. Those interested in serving corporations in roles that affect employees and corporate operations should find out how to become a human resource manager.
Even before the pandemic, the responsibilities of human resource managers extended beyond the recruitment of employees and coordination of health benefits. Changing business operations and priorities have, in turn, changed the responsibilities of HR management.
Today, HR managers and their teams have multiple responsibilities. According to an article in balancecareers.com entitled "Why Human Resources Management Is Important," HR must balance the interests of different stakeholders while ensuring they work together. They must work to keep the organization productive while retaining their most valuable resource – people. In achieving this goal, HR departments must:
HR departments often are called the heart of an organization, as they serve a multitude of valuable roles that interface with employees of every level of a corporation. Smaller companies may have one person executing various tasks while larger companies may have HR departments with specialized members within the team including a training manager, benefits manager, recruiter, employment manager, and labor relations manager.
The Wall Street Journal ranked Human Resource Managers 35 out of 800 occupations in the US based on employment projection data posted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). One of the fastest-growing fields in the United States, human resource management positions are projected to grow by 9% through 2030, with nearly 15,000 new openings during that timeframe, reports the BLS. HR managers are needed as organizations address the new working reality after the pandemic and address relevant topics such as equal employment, inclusion, healthcare, and retirement. New companies and those expanding their operations also will need HR personnel to support expanding aspects of their operations.
The median annual pay for HR Managers was $121,000 based on May 2020 data, according to BLS statistics. Those entering the field require at least a bachelor’s degree in human resources or an associated field such as business management.
Becoming a Human Resource Manager depends on getting the right degree that provides a background in the different aspects of the position. Rowan University, in partnership with Rowan College of South Jersey, offers an online Bachelor of Science in Human Resource Management program that provides the foundation to pursue a human resources career at businesses of varying scope throughout the nation. Costing a fraction of the investment for a traditional degree, this unique online program awards students an associate degree after completing four semesters of classes and an undergraduate Bachelor of Science degree at the completion of the program. With many courses offered in an accelerated seven-week format, students can enjoy the flexibility to take fewer courses at one time while staying on track to completion.
For information on Rowan University’s online Bachelor of Science degree in Human Resource Management and other programs, visit Human Resource Management Degree | Rowan Partnerships Online or apply now at Apply Now | Rowan Partnerships Online.
