What is Human Resource Management?
Human Resource Management is the department of an organization responsible for managing everything that relates to employees. This includes recruitment, training, performance management, organization development, workplace safety and employee benefits. Human Resource management allows employees to contribute effectively and productively to the overall company direction and the accomplishment of the organization’s goals and objectives.
A typical degree in Human Resource Management takes about 3 years to complete. Throughout the programme, students will develop a comprehensive set of skills and practical knowledge of both management and human resources. Upon graduation, students will be able to pursue their career in numerous industries including consultancy firms, banking, manufacturing, local authorities, etc.
Source: Gregg Learning
Main Roles and Responsibilities of Human Resources
Human Resource departments are required to support the growth of the organisation they work in. The nature of the work varies according to the organisation. The common roles and responsibilities include:
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- Recruiting employees by crafting job descriptions and skill specifications, preparing job advertisements, checking application forms, shortlisting, interviewing and hiring the best candidates.
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- Implement policies on issues such as working conditions, performance management, disciplinary procedures and absence management.
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- Process payroll and maintain employee records.
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- Analyse training needs for employees with departmental managers and develop training programs to improve staff performance
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- Handling employee concerns, including handling difficult situations such as sexual harassment or discrimination in the workplace.
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- Collaborate with other departments involved in policy areas such as staff performance and health and safety.
Functional Areas of Human Resource Management
Recruitment and staffing
Scouting and hiring of candidates are the major functions of the HR department. HR managers touch every part of the recruitment process, which includes reviewing resumes, conducting preliminary interviews, and processing offer letters.
Training and development
Human Resource organizes training programs to help employees excel in their daily tasks. They will also oversee employees’ performance, manager’s feedback and the results to determine if more training is required.
Compensation and benefits
Staff compensation and benefits could save a company from losing talented employees to competitors. Human Resource is responsible for creating competitive benefits such as health insurance, retirement accounts, sick leave, family leave and much more. They will have to negotiate to ensure their employees are satisfied and motivated to work in their company.
Human resources compliance
Compliance with laws of labour and employment is the most crucial Human Resource function. Human Resource professionals are responsible for creating policies and procedure as well as keep updated on all the relevant labour and employment laws constituted by the federal or state government.
Employee relations
The Human Resource department will work on improving the relationship between employer and employee by measuring employee job satisfaction, employee contribution to the growth of the company, and also generate solutions to resolve workplace conflict.
Risk management
The Human Resource department is required to ensure that the workplace is safe and employees are aware of the health and safety protocol. In cases of injuries of staff during operation, the Human Resource manages the worker’s compensation claims, investigates the incident and recommends necessary amendments in the safety procedures.
Skills Required for Human Resources
Communication skills
The role of Human Resource is dealing with people. Therefore, they will need to be clear and informative while communicating with people through phone calls, e-mails, and conducting interviews with candidates. They are also required to have excellent writing skills in drafting company policy to avoid miscommunication.
Adaptability skills
Adapting skills are necessary for Human Resource professionals to forecast the need for changes to improve the work environment. The business industry is changing from time to time. Thus, they will need to reconstruct their current company policies and also generate new policies that are relevant and effective.
Critical thinking
Critical thinking helps Human Resource to deal with a difficult situation from a rational point of view. Whether it involves resolving conflicts or issues between the employees, critical thinking helps them to put forward viewpoints and effective ideas to improve the work environment
Organizational skills
Human Resource employees are required to monitor various records and files related to each employee. They handle tons of paperwork of hiring, firing, and employee performance records. So, Human Resource employees must keep this information organized, safe, and accessible. They also need to keep sensitive information separated and only share it with people when it is necessary.
Career Opportunities with a Human Resource Management Degree
Human Resources officer
A Human Resource officer ensures that the company hires the right candidates with the necessary skills and experience. They also make sure that employees get sufficient training and development opportunities to enhance their performance and achieve the company’s business objectives.
Recruiter
A recruiter scouts candidates who seem promising for a particular role and interview them further to determine if they are suitable for the position. They also use social media platforms to source candidates and screening applicants to decide if they’re the best fit for contributing to the organization’s goals.
Office manager
Office managers are responsible for administrative tasks in the organization. They monitor the schedules of meetings and planning upcoming office events., managing payroll and the office budget and organizing important employee documents.
Training and development officer
The role of the training and development officer is to train employees on their job responsibilities and educate them on the organization’s rules, structure and goals. They also come up with training materials to help trainees learn more about the organization and manage the schedule to train employees.
Academic Entry Requirements to study Human Resource Management in Malaysia
STPM | Minimum Grade C or CGPA 2.00 |
A-Level | Minimum grade CCC |
UEC | Grade B in 5 subjects |
Foundation/Matriculation | Minimum CGPA 2.00 |
Diploma | Minimum CGPA 2.00 |
International Baccalaureate (IB) | A minimum score of 24 points |
*For further inquiries regarding the entry requirements, please feel free to contact Excel Education.
Top Universities to Study Human Resource Management in Malaysia
#1 Asia Pacific University (APU)
Image credit: APU University
Students will have the option to partake in the APU-DMU Dual Degree scheme. Students will receive dual degree certificates and transcripts upon graduation from De Montfort University (DMU), UK.
Program | BA (HONS) Human Resource Management |
Intake (2021) | March, May & September |
Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Local: RM 87,000
International: RM 88,200 |
#2 Curtin University, Malaysia
Image credit: Curtin University
This programme allows students to cover topics such as staff selection, promotion, learning and development, and remuneration. This helps students to engage a highly committed and capable workforce to operate in the global business world.
Program | Bachelor of Commerce (Human Resources Management and Management) |
Intake (2021) | February & July |
Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Local: RM 67,200
International: RM 99,384 |
#3
HELP University
Image credit: HELP University
This programme provides students with a comprehensive study of the three management functions that have become most critical in modern organisations: personnel management, industrial relations and organisational behaviour. Students will develop practical and conceptual skills which will allow them to work in all areas of human resource management.
Program | Bachelor of Business (Human Resource Management) (Hons) |
Intake (2021) | January, March, May, August, October |
Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Local & International RM 62,300 |
#4 SEGI University
Image credit: SEGI University
This programme equips students with skills and knowledge in shaping an organisation by providing guidance for the employee who works in the organisation. This double degree programme is a collaboration between SEGi and the University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN), UK.
Program | Bachelor of Business Management (Hons) (Human Resource Management) |
Intake (2021) | February, May, June, September, October |
Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Local: RM 60, 975
International: RM 73, 425 |
#5 INTI University
Image credit: INTI University
This programme offers Human Resource curriculum guidelines of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM), providing a core understanding of all the aspects of people management in a Malaysian context. Students will be equipped with the skills to strive as a line manager across various industries.
Program | Bachelor of Business (Hons) Human Resource Management |
Intake (2021) | January, June & August |
Duration | 3 years (Full time) |
Indicative Fees (2021) | Local: RM 68,800
International: RM 82,500 |
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