What is HR?
Human resources (HR) is the part of an organisation that manages its employees and workplace policies. HR supports people from the moment they apply for a role, through onboarding and development, and right through to performance conversations and leaving the business.
In the past, HR was often seen as mainly administrative. Now, many HR teams play a bigger role in shaping workplace culture, supporting wellbeing and helping people do their best work.
HR also helps employers stay compliant and deal with workplace issues in a fair and consistent way.
Things to know
- HR may be a dedicated team, a single person or an outsourced service, depending on the size of the organisation
- HR supports both people and the business by setting clear policies and practices
- Modern HR often focuses on culture, engagement and retention, as well as administration
- HR and payroll frequently work closely together but are not the same function
- HR responsibilities can vary across countries and industries
FAQs
What does HR stand for?
HR stands for human resources.
Is HR the same as payroll?
Not exactly. Payroll focuses on paying employees accurately and on time, while HR covers wider employee matters like policies and support. There’s some overlap, such as starters and leavers, changes to employee details, and benefits — so they often work closely together.
What does HR do?
HR supports people at work. This includes hiring, onboarding, development, performance, workplace policies and employee relations.
Why is HR so important?
HR helps create a fair, supportive workplace, improves retention and supports compliance with employment laws.
How has HR changed in recent years?
In many organisations, HR now goes beyond day-to-day admin and plays a more strategic role. That can include shaping culture, supporting wellbeing and engagement, and planning for future staffing needs. HR has also become more digital, with more teams using HR software and cloud-based tools for tasks like managing employee data, onboarding, performance and reporting.
