Human Resources Assistant | What They Do, Salary, Required Skills and More.

Q: Do HR Assistants handle payroll?

Yes , they do. HR Assistants manage payroll-related activities as they focus on the welfare of every member of the staff.

Who is a Human Resources Assistant?
Job Description of a Human Resources Assistant
The Working Environment and Conditions for Human Resources Assistants
Requirements to Become a Human Resources Assistant
Skills Needed as Human Resources Assistant
The Pros and Cons of Human Resources Assistant Jobs
Human Resources Assistant Salary
FAQs

The job of a human resources assistant is very interesting and essential in this modern time. We cannot undermine the role they have to play, especially in big companies.

Who is a Human Resources Assistant?

A Human Resources Assistant (HR Assistant) is a certified professional who performs administrative duties and services to support effective and efficient operations of the human resource department in any organization.

They are also responsible for functions, such as HR Analytics, Organizational Talent Development, Talent Acquisition, Industrial Relations, Checking Compensation and Benefits, etc.

A Human Resources Assistant also helps create a productive working environment for all employees of the organization by designing, implementing, and monitoring the employee development processes, programs and policies.

Job Description of a Human Resources Assistant

An HR Assistant performs a lot of human resources functions ranging from aspects of employee welfare, payroll activities, administration, etc. Below are the responsibilities of HR assistants.

An HR assistant is responsible for maintaining accurate and up-to-date files, records, and documentation in the human resource department of any organization.

They also carried out periodic audits of all HR files and records to ensure that all required documents are collected and documented properly. This is also to ensure that the integrity and confidentiality of the human resource department are maintained.

An HR Assistant has the duty of answering all frequently asked questions from applicants and employees about the policies, benefits, hiring processes, etc., of the organization. In case of more complex questions, they will refer the individual to the appropriate senior HR staff or management.

They are responsible for maintaining the record database of the organization and for posting job ads. HR Assistants are also responsible for handling activities such as hiring, training, recruitment, and maintaining the record of new and old employees.

They also assist with the orientation of new employees. They schedule and coordinate interviews, meetings, seminars, and other HR-related appointments.

They also compile and maintain other paper, digital, and electronic employee records such as holiday and sick leaves, provide clerical support to the HR department and also act as a middleman between the organization where they work and external partners or benefactors, which may include health, disability, and retirement plan providers.

Sometimes they assist with payroll functions such as processing, fixing errors, and distributing checks.

An HR assistant also handles other activities such as travel and resident arrangements for the company executives. They are also responsible for the planning and execution of special events in the organization.

Some of these events may include; organization meetings, employee recognition, ad award events, holiday dinners or parties, retirement celebrations, etc. They also maintain calendars of the HR management team.

The Working Environment and Conditions for Human Resources Assistants

Generally, HR assistants work in an office environment. They mostly work in organizations that are concerned with human resources. They can work as an HR analyst, an HR coordinator, a payroll specialist, an HR associate, or an administrator.

HR assistants can find jobs in various areas of specialization, including; the educational sector, banking and finance, telecom companies, media and entertainment agencies, real estate, advertising agencies, consulting firms, and so many others.

Some of the major recruiting companies for HR assistants include; Microsoft, Amazon, Kelly Services, ABC Consultants, HCL, etc.

The job can be a stressful and tiring one because it often involves multitasking and attending to many people at the same time. As a result of the nature of the job, applicants should be able to work well under pressure and handle juggling many tasks at the same. HR assistants mostly work full time for about 40 hours per week.

Requirements to Become a Human Resources Assistant

The educational requirements to become an HR Assistant include a degree in any related field such as business, psychology, accounting, business management, communication, and even writing. Due to the increasing competition for HR assistant positions, the majority of employers will expect you to possess a degree of 2:1 or above.

Some organizations may require that applicants have at least one or two years of experience in Human Resources management or general business for this position. Experience can be obtained by volunteering for an unpaid work placement in a human resources organization.

However, most entry-level positions only require candidates to have four or five GCSEs as the minimum entry requirements, but you must have previous experience in an administrative role.

Those seeking the position of HR Officer will need to have a Higher National Certificate or Higher National Diploma (HNC/HND) or a university degree.

Although HR assistants don’t usually require any certification, having one may be a plus for applicants or candidates who plan on moving up in rank. They may want to consider undergoing a certification program. The HR Certification Institute and the Society for Human Resource Management offer such programs.

Certificate in Personnel Practice (CPP) or CIPD accredited NVQs or a Post Graduate Diploma in HR or MSc/MA in HR offer a range of professional courses that you can take whether you are at the beginning of your HR career or after several years when pushing for promotion.

These courses can be studied as part-time, full-time, or through distance learning, whichever way to fit your existing commitments.

Skills Needed as Human Resources Assistant

HR assistants must possess excellent communication skills and be good listeners. This is necessary to be able to communicate the needs and expectations of the company, its employees, and even clients.

In addition to communication skills, an HR assistant must be able to maintain positive social relations icons as a team with others, always even in the most difficult situations.

This is because the job requires constant interaction with other employees and staff. HR departments often deal with confidential information; thus, discretion is an important quality that HR assistants should possess.

HR assistants should also be able to work with the digital human resource systems of the organization and be able to handle other computer systems. This means that they must be highly computer literate and be able to handle emails, MS Office, and other related communication tools.

They should also possess the ability to make reports, keep records and documentation properly. They must possess excellent written and verbal communication skills and must also be able to perform well under pressure and meet up tight deadlines.

They must be organized and possess time management skills as well as excellent decision-making and problem-solving skills. Due to the job description, it is also important that they can pay keen attention to every detail and the ability to follow instructions accurately.

The Pros and Cons of Human Resources Assistant Jobs

The pros of becoming an HR Assistant include; the fact that they are high in demand and they earn good pay. The job is not boring as it allows you to work on something new most of the time and allows you to meet and help different people very often.

The cons of becoming an HR Assistant include the stress that comes with the job. HR assistants are usually responsible for handling the problems of all other departments, and this might be tasking. The job also makes you meet different types of people often, and some of them may not be easy to relate with.

Human Resources Assistant Salary

As of July 2021, the average pay for a Human Resources Assistant per hour is $19.24.

Most Human Resources Assistant wages range between $15.14 (25th percentile) to $20.67 (75th percentile). The average pay range for a Human Resources Assistant may greatly increase by as much as $5.53.

This means that there are many opportunities for development and an increase in pay based on skill level, location, and years of experience.

FAQs

Where can HR Assistants work?

There are different places where An HR Assistant can be employed. An HR Assistant can work in many sectors such as Advertising, Education, Consulting Firms, Media and Entertainment, and Telecom.

Do HR Assistants handle payroll?

Yes, they do. HR Assistants manage payroll-related activities as they focus on the welfare of every member of the staff.

What are the benefits of working as an HR Assistant?

Working as an HR Assistant can be beneficial. There are so many employment opportunities available for an HR Assistant in many different sectors. Also, you can earn a decent living as an HR Assistant.

What qualifications do I need to become an HR Assistant?

A bachelor’s degree is the basic qualification needed. You can also enroll in certification programs to obtain more certificates.

What are the skills an HR should possess?

HR assistants should have excellent verbal and written communication skills, first-hand knowledge of computers, multi-media equipment, and handheld digital devices.

They should also possess administrative and clerical skills, including report writing, record keeping, and scheduling as well as spreadsheet preparation and presentation skills.

Organizational skills and the ability to handle information with discretion and confidentiality are also important.

Who does an HR Assistant report to?

An HR Assistant will report issues directly to the next senior person in the human resources department. This depends on the hierarchy structure of that company.