HR managers deal with staff recruitment, retention of key staff members, and disciplinary issues. As they are also involved with disciplinary issues, training and development programs, company policies related to staff members, and the regulation of holiday and sick leave, the team at DPH Legal believe they should have some basic employment law knowledge.
HR managers oversee the functions and tasks of an HR team and their work includes a wide range of responsibilities from consultation with top executives on strategic planning to recruitment of new staff. The functions of the HR department manager include attracting, hiring, and retaining qualified talent on behalf of the organisation.
Organisations seeking to hire an HR manager typically require candidates to have at least a bachelor’s degree in Human Resources. Bachelor degrees may include:
– BS – Bachelor of Science
– BA – Bachelor of Arts
– BBA – Bachelor of Business Administration
A bachelor’s degree in HR prepares students to identify and select the best candidates for specific personnel roles in an organisation. Bachelor’s degree programs also prepare students for entry-level positions in areas such as:
– Recruitment and employment
– Training and Development
– Employee Services
– Compensation and Employee Benefits
– Personnel Records
– Employee relations
– Health and Safety Strategic Planning
Some organisations prefer a master’s degree in Human Resource Management. The most popular graduate degrees for HR managers include:
– Master of Arts or Master of Science in Human Resource Management
– Master of Arts or Master of Science in Management with a concentration on human resources.
– MBA (Master of Business Administration) with a concentration on:
• HR Management or Organisational Leadership
• Human Capital Development
• Leadership Development
• Organisational Behaviour
• Industrial Relations
• Labor Relations
According to The US Department of Labor, candidates with a master’s degree or professional certification with a concentration in HR management as well as a solid background in employment law and policies have the best prospects of becoming human resource managers.
HR professionals often possess one or more of the following professional certification designations:
• SHRM (Society of Human Resource Management):
SHRM-CP – Certified Professional
SHRM-SCP – Senior Certified Professional
• HRCI (HR Certification Institute):
PHR – Professional in Human Resources
SPHR – Senior Professional in Human Resources
GPHR – Global Professional in Human Resources
HRMO – Human Resource Management Professional
HRBP – Human Resource Business Professional
California Certification for PHR and SPHR Certified Professionals
As most human resource departments operate in a business environment, bachelor’s degrees in human resources are most commonly obtained in university schools of business or colleges. Programs offered by other schools or departments may lack the particular business emphasis required of HR professionals.
The SHRM Human Resource curriculum details a list of topics that should form part of a comprehensive undergraduate program in HR. A number of colleges today use this publication to ensure that their programs are aligned with current HR industry needs.
David Philip Harris is a recognised employment solicitor with over 10 years of experience in advising employees and employers on employment law matters. He is a frequent contributor to BBC Radio Berkshire and People Management Magazine. David has represented individual and corporate clients in the employment tribunal as well as the High Court and County Court. David is a member of The Law Society and The Employment Lawyers Association (ELA UK). To contact David, visit the Contact Us page. For media enquiries: info@dphlegal.com.