What is an HR Generalist?

Human Resources are vital to an organization's success. Effective management of human resources is necessary for all organizations in order to ensure that the right people are doing the right type of job in the organization. Since organizations are giving more and more importance to the management and development of human resources, need for people who can efficiently do this task is also increasing and therefore HR jobs are being offered by all organizations.

HR generalists are specialists who manage the day to day operations of the human resource office. They look after the hiring, training and selection of employees. They also evaluate the performance of employees and decide about their salaries and other benefits. In any organization, anyone employed in HR generalist jobs are required to fulfill the following responsibilities.

• Recruiting the right kind of staff.
• Evaluating and measuring employee performance.
• Developing employee training systems.
• Managing employee development.
• Maintaining documents related to employees.
• Managing orientation and induction of employees.
• Maintaining good working relations with employees.
• Ensuring good relations between employees.
• Developing plans for safety and welfare of employees.
• Administering the compensation packages.
• Arranging for counseling of employees.
• Reporting to and advising the HR director about personnel issues.
• Developing and implementing departmental plans and goals.
• Monitoring the annual budget.
• Maintaining and updating employee information on the company’s website.
• Reviewing employee salaries periodically.
• Protecting the interests of employees.
• Listening to employee grievances.
  

Skills required for HR generalist jobs:

• General knowledge about the laws of employment.
• Excellent computer skills.
• Documentation skills.
• Interpersonal skills.
• Confidence
• Good organizational skills.
• Good listener.
• Ability to work in situations involving stress.
• Effective leadership qualities.
• Empathy.
• Positivism and clarity in thoughts.
• Understanding of human behavior.
• Good analytical skills.
• Motivational skills.
  

Educational requirements for HR generalist jobs:

• At least a Bachelor's degree in Human Resources, Business, or Organization Development. However any candidate with a Masters degree in the same is preferred.

Experience requirements:

• An experience of at least three in Human Resources positions.

Training for HR generalist jobs: Organizations may offer in house training or ask employees to take training from an external source for such jobs. Training is usually given in the following areas:

• Employment law.
• Organizational planning.
• Organization development.
• Employee relations.
• Labor relations.

Training is provided to enhance the skills of employees and for their professional development.

Salaries in HR generalist jobs vary depending upon the size of the organization and the responsibilities given. In a large organization, a person employed in such jobs is given a specific responsibility which is important from the organization’s point of view and so the salary offered is more. In a small organization, the salary offered is less. The salary also depends on the educational qualifications and experience. A well qualified and experienced person is offered more salary as compared to the person who does not have an experience or is not well qualified.

People performing well as HR generalists may be offered promotion or a better compensation package.

Those working as employees in HR generalist jobs act as advocates for both the company and the staff of the company. They contribute to the development and accomplishment of organizational plans and goals effectively and efficiently.