A Human Resources (HR) generalist is a mid-level HR professional who acts as a general expert on a variety of HR-related tasks. His or her main responsibility is to oversee day-to-day HR tasks. In most companies, entry-level human resources associates progress to human resources generalists, then to human resources managers, and finally to human resources directors. A HR generalist’s job may overlap with that of a human resources manager or director in small businesses.
Human resource professionals play a critical role in fostering a positive work environment, and HR departments can be found in nearly every company on the planet. The requirements for entering the HR field vary depending on where you live and the needs of your industry. Prospective HR professionals must meet a slightly different set of requirements depending on the company. In the United States, a bachelor’s degree in business, communications, management, or a related field is usually required to work in human resources. Prior experience in human resources is usually required for the position of human resource generalist.
As the title suggests, the HR generalist is in charge of the majority of general HR issues that arise in the workplace on a daily basis. The daily tasks of someone in this position are highly dependent on the needs of the company, but generalists are typically expected to be able to handle a wide range of HR-related tasks. Human resources generalists, for example, are frequently in charge of the company’s benefits program and are frequently the ones who answer employee questions about benefits and compensation. Many HR generalists are also in charge of their companies’ payroll systems, overseeing time cards and ensuring that records are accurate. They manage the administrative aspects of employee leave and are frequently in charge of employee paperwork routing.
Some human resources generalists are also in charge of the company’s recruiting and staffing campaigns, and they frequently coordinate employee counseling and exit interviews when necessary. Generalists are familiar enough with labor and employment laws to refer disputes and violations to the HR manager or director, but they are rarely in charge of resolving conflicts on their own. For routine employee interactions, the human resources generalist serves as the face of HR.