Human resources (HR) officers develop, advise on and implementpolicies relating to the effective use of personnel within anorganisation.

Their aim is to ensure that the organisation employs the rightbalance of staff in terms of skills and experience, and that trainingand development opportunities are available to employees to enhancetheir performance and achieve the employer's business aims.

HR officers are involved in a range of activities required byorganisations, whatever the size or type of business. These cover areassuch as:

• working practices;
• recruitment;
• pay;
• conditions of employment;
• negotiation with external work-related agencies;
• equality and diversity.

Typical work activities

An HR officer must have a clear understanding of their employer'sbusiness objectives and be able to devise and implement policies whichselect, develop and retain the right staff needed to meet theseobjectives.