Human Resources key roles (priorities)

[quote="UP2L8"]What do you see as key roles (priorities) for HR?

In many podcasts HR is portrayed in a negative light, or at best as a necessary clerical function. I have worked in an organization where this was true. But I have also read about GE's (under Welch) very business-focused, proactive HR.

In my view HR people are knowledge workers (Drucker). HR does not make 'wigits', but an effective HR should make producing 'wigits' more effective.

So, for you managers, executives, and business owners what do the key priorities for HR need to be to improve your 'wigit' productivity?

Sincerely, wiredhr[/quote]

First - taking a page from Jack - your HR managers should be experienced leaders from your business. All managers should have certain HR skills and a stop at HR should be a required rotation.

The key thing that your HR managers need to do is attract, develop and retain talent. OK, that is really 3 things, but the singular one is talent. Yes, the front line manager is the primary talent development spot, but there is a HR aspect to making sure that the correct development is being done.

Being from the front lines of your business, your managers understand the key forces driving the positions they're hiring for. They understand what skills are needed, technical and non-technical, to make the business run. And, they understand why people are leaving and what they're really saying. Through all this, they have the power to insist on changes because they really do know the business.

There are some HR functions that should be handled by a HR specialist - payroll, benefits, etc. But, the day to day contact for dealing with people must NOT be delegated to a someone who doesn't know your business.

Hope this helps spark some ideas.

Brian