What is a Human Resources Generalist?
If you are interested in learning about the different vocational opportunities that exist within the human resources sector, you may have thought about becoming a human resources generalist. Below you will find a general definition of this career field as well as other pertinent information pertaining to it, such as educational requirements and expected salary.
The Human Resources Generalist-A Brief Overview
The human resources generalist is an individual who manages the daily operations of the human resource office. This includes management of human resources procedures, policies, and programs. To accomplish this objective, the human resources generalist will work within the following sectors: employee relations, Human Resource Information Systems (HRIS), departmental development, training and development, compensation, benefits, employment, and organizational development.
Roles and Responsibilities of the Human Resources Generalist
Although human resources generalists may perform a plethora of different tasks based on the requirements of their employers, some of the roles and responsibilities the position tends to include are:
• Administering various human resources procedures and plans for company personnel
• Assisting in the development and implementation of personnel procedures and policies
• Preparing and maintaining the employee handbook manual
• Participating in the development of department objectives, systems, and goals
• Administering compensation programs
• Monitoring performance evaluation programs and revising them when appropriate
• Performing benefits administration to include change reporting, claims resolution, and approving invoices for payment
• Developing and maintaining affirmative action programs
• Filing EEO-1 reports annually
• Conducting recruitment efforts for all personnel, temporary employees, and students
• Handling employee relations counseling, exit interviewing, and outplacement counseling
• Participating in administrative staff meetings and attending other seminars and meetings
• Maintaining employee directories and organization charts
• Assisting in the evaluation of decisions, reports, and results of the department in conjunction with its established goals
• Maintaining the Human Resource Information System records
• Compiling reports from the Human Resource Information System database
• Maintaining compliance with state and federal regulations that pertain to employment
Generally, the human resources generalist will possess considerable knowledge of practices and principles as they pertain to personnel administration. Additionally, individuals who hold this position will have excellent interpersonal skills and effective written and oral communication skills.
Education/Work Experience
Typically, a human resources generalist will possess a bachelor’s degree as well as three to five years of experience within the human resources sector. In some cases, individuals who hold this position obtain a master’s degree in human resources management and two years of experience within the same field.
Human Resources Generalist-Salary
According to Indeed.com, a human resources generalist can expect to earn about $72,000 annually. However, the type of salary individuals who hold this position can expect to earn will be contingent upon factors such as education, experience, and location. For example, a human resources generalist who lives in California can expect to earn about $62,000. However, a human resources generalist who is employed in the state of New York generates an average salary of $70,000.
Resource: State Listings of Society for Human Resource Management Aligned Human Resources Degree Programs
If you are interested in pursuing a career in the field of human resources, you should know that opting to become a human resources generalist can present you with a plethora of benefits and opportunities. Now that you have a basic understanding of what a human resources generalist does, you can decide whether this career field would be appropriate and advantageous for you.
