The Work of HR Assistant - Essay Example

Focusing on the future needs of people and society is one of the fundamental responsibilities of any educational institution. Nurturing future citizens is vital even for the success of a college. As it is a complex job, it requires a position that concentrates exclusively on the sustainability of the organization. The creation of an HR Assistant position aims at bringing the changes and following the policies and practices that will help to nurture a sustainable environment. As the objective of the creation of this position is a long term one, the newly recruited HR Assistant will concentrate more on long term benefits and advantages while attending the day to day functions that affect the long term goals of the college.

The job description of the newly HR Assistant position is based on the strategic objective of the institution. As for efficiency, risk, relationships, and innovation are the key elements in the strategy that is based on sustainability. His job focuses more on the functions and duties which address the above four key elements. His role gets greater importance as it is aimed at bringing some important changes in the system to make it dynamic and sustainable. A job is a collection of tasks and responsibilities that an employee is responsible to conduct.

Jobs have titles. Job descriptions are lists of the general tasks, or functions, and responsibilities of a position. (Carter McNamara, 1997) The HR Assistant position is responsible for performing a variety of human resource support duties and functions. It assists in maintaining the human resource database and all employee records and files. It looks after the payroll processing and reports payroll information. It provides recommendations regarding the development and implementation of human resource policies and programs.

It completes all the assigned functions of preparing information and reporting functions. Competition and equal employment opportunity legislation has made job analysis a mandatory organizational consideration for small businesses. Because human resources represent the largest cost item for most small businesses, managers must have current and systematized information on all jobs in order to produce products and services efficiently. ( James R. Lindner) As a part of these above-mentioned duties, he has to look after the day-to-day administrative responsibilities which are associated with his primary duties.

They may include the duties like communicating important information and announcements to the students in time. He needs to cross-check whether any communication sent by the college authorities has reached the intended audience. Continuous follow-up of every issue that comes to his notice is vital for the responsibilities attached to him. He can say that he has done his duty well only when he follows up the issue till is settled or closed with proper action. There should be no ambiguity in his communication and functions.

He has to maintain transparency in everything he does in his capacity as HR Assistant. At the same time, he needs to maintain confidentiality relating to certain important matters relating to the college management and administration. In short, he should set an example for others with his commitment and focus on the core values of sustainability.
There is a problem with the job descriptions. Generally employees tend to think that whatever is mentioned in the job description, they take that only as their duty and they are quite unwilling to do any other thing that seems not related to their job on a superficial level. In this context, it is noteworthy the following statement of Ducey
The main problem with understanding job descriptions as records of the labor process is not that they fail to capture what people actually do, but that they obscure it. (Ariel Ducey, 2002)
His impact on the college
The work of an HR Assistant in the college will have a positive impact on the overall administration of the college. As he is recruited with a special purpose of following the core values of sustainability for long time benefits of society and organization, his role acquires greater importance in the day to day functions. Besides his suggestions and recommendations on various issues and policies of the college, play a crucial role in changing the college to meet future requirements.
The HR Assistant’s work and his operations can bring in a positive change in the relationships among the teachers and the administrative team members and between the students and the college management. It will also influence the parents and help them have a clear understanding and reasonable expectations of the services the college provides. There is always an element of risk in any business operation. But it is very less in the field of education. If any policy or change is resulting in a negative impact on people, the HR Assistant should immediately attend to that and take appropriate action. The creation of a peaceful and pleasant academic atmosphere for learning and teaching can be created with improved human relationships and communication. This will definitely contribute to improved efficiency in the work.