Stepping up as your company’s newest Human Resources manager? Congratulations! You’re in the unique and potentially precarious position of representing both the company and its employees, and walking the line of what’s best for both . . . not an easy task. See, the HR manager needs to be one of the most versatile members of the team. You’ll counsel employees in happy times, such as a pending maternity leave, and trying times, such as a conflict with a coworker. You’ll be expected to handle these situations with wisdom, empathy, and fairness—and the highest confidentiality. It also doesn’t hurt to have a friendly, approachable demeanor; few things hurt employee morale faster than a gruff or insensitive HR leader.

So now that you know how to approach your job, here are some tasks you might be expected to do:

• As the HR manager, you may oversee the recruitment process, or at least help to interview candidates. This requires solid knowledge of each position’s requirements and of how to find and attract talent matches. The most successful HR managers will keep an eye on overall staffing to know which areas of the company might need tweaking.
• You’ll ensure all employees are trained to safely and efficiently perform their jobs. Employee training typically includes new-hire orientations, professional development, and legally required trainings like sexual harassment and employee safety. You’ll be responsible for recognizing and addressing company training deficiencies.
• Performance Management. Now that you’ve hired and trained your employees, how are they meeting expectations? Developing successful performance management tools, such as an effective annual review, will help recognize your workforce’s strengths and weaknesses. Incentive and recognition programs can also fit into this plan, and you’re the lucky leader who will develop them!
• Conflict Management. Though not always savory, conflict management is a crucial part of your new duties, as you will be expected to handle a variety of personal and professional conflict within the workplace. It’s up to you to strike the right balance of empathy and impartiality, of representing the employee and the company. And above all, you should maintain an open-door policy and keep a close watch on employee welfare.

As if that weren’t enough, you might be asked to do anything from salary negotiations to budgeting to spearheading the company picnic committee. Whether you perform many tasks or just a few, remember that you’re in charge of the company’s most important resource—its employees. No pressure, right?

It’s common for new HR managers to feel overwhelmed, undersupported, or in need of an extra opinion. If you’re feeling frazzled, the professional HR consultants at YES! Your Human Resources Solution are ready to support you with 20 years of Human Resources experience. A recruitment rookie? We’ll review your sourcing and selection practices to design a recruitment approach unique to your business. A tenderfoot to training? Our in-person and web-based trainings can set your employees on the path to knowledge and compliance. Discover how YES! can best support you and your HR team—call us for a free consultation!