Who is a Human Resource Manager - responsibilities decoded .

As a Human Resource Manager, “You are responsible for a whole gang of people that you probably didn’t pick, may not like, might have nothing in common with and who perhaps won’t like you much.” The Human resource manager is more often than not a prize specimen or then founder member of an exotic breed, infinite patience, unimpeachable integrity, willingness to put in long arduous and ceaseless hours of toil, super hero like ability to meet the most insurmountable of timelines and last but not the least an immense pride in self and the man management skills of either a Henry Ford or then Lee iaccoca are essential attributes that any human resource manage needs to possess.

You need to be completely self motivated, have a readily willing and ever available shoulder to cry on, conspicuously display the ability to listen to the most inane excuses and implausible reasons for not having met deadlines, willingly put up with bruised egos, ceaseless bitching about the boss, departmental head or fellow worker and all this without batting an eyelid, venting your pent up frustration and anger and pulling out all your remaining hair in sheer frustration and total futility of the entire exercise; “all in a day’s work did someone just quip.”

It can get very wordy and lengthy; “ a Manager or more precisely human resource manager is an employee who forms part of the organisation’s management team and is accountable for exercising delegated authority over human, financial and material management to accomplish the objectives of the organization. Managers are responsible for managing human resources, communicating, practicing and promoting the corporate values, ethics and culture of the organization and for leading and managing change within the organization.” And all this while you just wanted to do your job.”

Human resource managers are also responsible for mentoring, coaching employees, inducting them within the organization, preparation of all organization related handbooks and employee manuals, issual of appointment and offer letters, compilation of employee’s personal dossiers, security and travel related arrangements of employees, employee welfare, salary administration, 360 degree feedback, performance appraisals, cafeteria and comfort zones meant for employee or staff use, travel and stay related arrangements of all company executives whose nature of work entails travelling, making all the requisite arrangements for all staff picnics, birthday parties, anniversaries, picnics and get-togethers, seminars and public relation events.

The Human resource department may also be responsible for arranging visas, travel documents, security and immigration clearances and work permits and strict compliance with all the medical and labour laws applicable in the case of multi-national companies or organizations. The take home pay though good is certainly not enough to keep you rolling in the hay, though an MBA degree from a premier HR institute might just add a couple of zeroes on your salary cheque and websites of universities or colleges offering human resource qualifications is as good a place as any to make a beginning.