It's true what they say — a company is only as good as its people. It is successful because of the hard work of the employees. It is respected because the people that are in its ranks command respect. If the company wants to last long, then it really should invest in its people.

Human resource management is here to take care of the heart of every organization. The people that work for HR make sure that the company's workforce is well taken care of in every way possible. HR professionals have many responsibilities, such as taking care of compensation, and planning employee engagement activities. 

But there are less talked about HR areas that modern professionals shouldn't overlook. More than just assistance with their w2 form for taxation and their annual summer outings, employees also need help in ensuring their well-being, resilience, and coaching/learning capacities. Here are some areas of opportunity where you can support employees that in turn support the growth of the company.

Well-Being and Wellness 

A person's needs do not change whether they are at home or in the workplace. We all want to be safe and our sanity kept intact. No one wants to work in fear or under constant stress. Because of this, HR should always be at the forefront in ensuring that the work environment in their company does not become toxic. They should watch out for signs of toxicity such as bullying, gender- or sex-based discrimination, and power tripping (such as when seniors make juniors do their tasks just  because they can). 

The last thing that HR will want to do is assume that such issues cannot happen in their companies. The above issues are tendencies observed in many contexts across cultures. Clear policies regarding these things should be made and communicated to all employees, including the bosses.

Resilience

Just because HR works to keep employees from harm doesn't mean that they should just brush aside the fact that challenges are constantly present. Employees should also be supported in such a way that their resilience to challenges and adversity is significantly improved. 

There are negative events and outcomes that are beyond anyone's control. Take the COVID-19 pandemic as an example. This global phenomenon has affected lives in significant ways. Without resilience, anyone will easily succumb to the pressure that this brings. HR can address resilience issues by organizing programs that help promote mental health. At the very least, HR should communicate in convincing ways that they care about the workers' welfare. When in a pandemic, HR in coordination with management can relax the pressure on reaching pre-determined goals for all employees during a stressful time.

Coaching and Learning

Many companies invest a significant amount of resources in employee training. They send their employees to seminars and conventions within the locality or even overseas just to get the latest news in their respective niches. This is great, and there is no reason for this to stop. Learning, after all, is the cornerstone of growth.

But sometimes, HR forgets that trainers and managers who are knowledgeable about certain topics should also be trained on how to share their knowledge effectively to others. Great workers and learners are not always the best teachers. To ensure the effective transfer of knowledge, HR pros can make sure that communication channels are always free from all forms of obstructions, including incompetence on both sides of the communication flow.

Making sure that workers function at their best in the workplace is at the heart of the HR profession. All professionals who choose this path shouldn't leave any stone unturned in their efforts to improve their company's workforce.