10.DIFFERENCE BETWEENHRAND EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

 

INTROUCTION

Figure1:ER vs HR

What distinguishes employee relations from human resources may be of interest to you if you're considering a career in human resources (HR). Despite their frequent interchangeability, these phrases have different purposes and meanings in the workplace. This blog will show some  differences between employee relations and human resources, as well as the duties and abilities needed for each position and how they complement one other to support the culture and goals of the company.

HUMAN RESOURCES

Figure2:Human Resource

The vast field of human resources (HR) includes every facet of an organization's management of its people capital. HR specialists are in charge of hiring, training, developing, paying, and keeping staff members in addition to making sure that all legal and ethical requirements are met. In addition, HR specialists create and carry out programs and policies that complement the purpose, vision, values, and culture of the company. HR practitioners must possess a thorough understanding of human resource management methods and principles in addition to strategic, analytical, organizational, and leadership abilities. To plan and carry out HR programs and strategies, HR professionals frequently collaborate with external stakeholders, business partners, and senior management.

EMPLOYEE RELATIONS

The specialty area of human resources known as employee relations (ER) is dedicated to fostering and preserving a good working relationship between employers and workers. Professionals in employee relations (ER) deal with matters like labor relations, employee engagement, performance management, conflict resolution, and adherence to employment laws and rules. In addition to having a firm understanding of labor rules and regulations, emergency room (ER) specialists also need to possess good interpersonal, problem-solving, negotiating, and communication skills. In order to handle employee complaints and concerns as well as to avoid or settle conflicts, ER specialists frequently collaborate closely with managers, supervisors, and union representatives.

Employee Relations refers to the management and maintenance of the relationship between an organization and its employees. It involves creating and maintaining a positive workplace culture and environment, addressing employee concerns, grievances, and conflicts, and establishing policies and procedures that govern the employee-employer relationship.ER is a part of the broader field of Human Resources, but it differs from HR in its focus on employee relations issues. While HR covers all aspects of managing employees, including hiring, compensation, benefits, training, and development, ER is specifically concerned with managing the relationship between the organization and its employees(Jeffrey Fermin,2023).

SIMILARITY OF HR VS ER

According to Noah Mithrush (2023),Both HR and ER are concerned with the well-being of employees within an organization. They both deal with issues related to employee performance, workplace policies and procedures, training and development, employee benefits, and recruitment.

In addition, both HR and ER aim to create and maintain positive relationships between employees and their employer. They work to ensure that employees are treated fairly and that their rights are protected. Both HR and ER departments strive to create a positive organizational culture where employees feel valued, respected, and motivated to perform their best work.

DIFFERENCE BETWEEN HR AND ER

According to Noah Mithrush (2023),Although HR and ER share some similarities, they can differ in terms of their focus and approach to dealing with employee issues.

HR is typically focused on the administrative tasks related to managing the workforce. This can include tasks such as payroll management, benefits administration, and compliance with labor regulations. In addition, HR departments can be responsible for recruiting and hiring new employees if an organization does not have a team dedicated to Talent Acquisition (TA), and providing training and development opportunities to help employees improve their skills and knowledge.

ER, on the other hand, is focused on the employee experience within the organization. ER is concerned with building and maintaining positive relationships between employees and the organization, as well as between employees and their managers. ER departments are responsible for handling grievances, conflicts, and employee complaints, as well as promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in the workplace.

According to Jaffery Fermin(2023),Employee Relations and Human Resources are two essential functions of an organization that work together to manage employees effectively. However, there are some key differences between the two:

• Focus: The primary focus of HR is managing the entire employee life cycle, including recruitment, compensation, benefits, training, and development. ER, on the other hand, focuses on managing the relationship between the organization and its employees, including conflict resolution, employee grievances, and workplace culture.
• Skills: HR professionals typically have a broad range of skills, including data analysis, strategic planning, and compliance. ER professionals, on the other hand, require strong interpersonal skills, conflict resolution skills, and the ability to communicate effectively with employees at all levels.
• Duties: The duties of HR professionals include recruiting, hiring, training, performance management, compensation and benefits administration, and compliance. ER professionals, on the other hand, are responsible for employee relations, conflict resolution, grievance handling, and policy development.
• Relationship with employees: While both HR and ER professionals work with employees, the nature of their relationship is different. HR professionals are involved in every stage of an employee's life cycle, from hiring to separation. ER professionals, however, typically interact with employees when there are conflicts or grievances to be addressed.
• Scope: HR is a broader function that encompasses several sub-functions, including talent acquisition, benefits administration, performance management, and compliance. ER, on the other hand, is a specialized function that focuses solely on managing the relationship between the organization and its employees.

HR MANAGER

A human resources (HR) manager is someone who oversees the administrative and organizational functions of a company or business. The manager usually heads the HR department, and they play an important role as a bridge between management and employees.  HR managers work in nearly every industry. As long as a company has employees, an HR manager is typically needed to oversee hiring, training, and the organization and development of the company culture(Coursera,2023).

ER MANAGER

Figure3:ER Manager

An employee relations manager provides a vital link between employees and management. You focus on problem resolution which may involve non-biased internal investigations. Your responsibilities include a wide range of duties such as oversight of employee rights; this can range from conflict to sexual harassment issues. You also provide guidance for management in regards to worker discipline and termination. You help ensure that the company complies with all required laws and regulations, and work closely with human resources for other tasks such as HR analytics. Work is typically full-time during regular business hours in an office environment. Some positions may require travel(Zip recruiter,2024).

An Employee Relations Manager is a human resources professional who specializes in managing the relationship between employees and the organization. They handle employee grievances, disputes, and disciplinary matters, ensuring fair treatment and compliance with company policies and employment laws. Employee Relations Managers play a crucial role in fostering a positive work environment, promoting employee satisfaction, and mitigating potential conflicts, contributing to a harmonious and productive workplace(Snaphunt,2024).

CONCLUSION

In conclusion, despite many parallels, HR and ER are not the same. While ER is concentrated on fostering strong relationships between employees and the firm, HR is frequently concerned with the administrative side of workforce management. The HR and ER departments collaborate to develop a supportive workplace culture that promotes worker performance, development, and well-being.

REFERNCES

Fermin, J. (2023, February 23). difference-between-hr-and-employee-relations. Retrieved 04 13, 2024, from www.allvoices.co/blog: https://www.allvoices.co/blog/difference-between-hr-and-employee-relations#:~:text=While%20HR%20focuses%20on%20managing,relationship%20with%20employees%20is%20different.

Mithrush, N. (2023, September 01). human-resources-vs-employee-relations. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from medium.com/neocase-software: https://medium.com/neocase-software/human-resources-vs-employee-relations-b111b9c41d61

Coursera. (2023, December 12). human-resources-manager. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from www.coursera.org: https://www.coursera.org/articles/human-resources-manager

ZipRecruiter. (2024, January). Employee-Relations-Manager. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from https://www.ziprecruiter.com/: https://www.ziprecruiter.com/career/Employee-Relations-Manager/What-Is-How-to-Become#:~:text=An%20employee%20relations%20manager%20provides,conflict%20to%20sexual%20harassment%20issues.

Snaphunt. (2024). mployee-relations-manager-job-description. Retrieved April 14, 2024, from snaphunt.com: https://snaphunt.com/resources/job-descriptions/employee-relations-manager-job-description

Figure1    :    ER vs HR

Figure2    :    Human Resources

Figure3    :    ER Manager