A job in human resources is no longer the commercial equivalent of police work. Although HR employees are still responsible for making sure that company policies are followed by workers, they aren’t just in charge of enforcing the will of the company anymore.

Nowadays, a successful human resources professional advocates the rights of the employees and encourages productive change within the corporate environment. While still maintaining responsibility over payroll and other administrative duties, someone working in human resources is a vital step in the communication chain of a company. An HR employee also negotiates internships with local colleges and high schools and arranges mentorships between experienced and new employees.

One of the most important parts of a human resources job is to encourage leadership and team development in company employees. Fostering a sense of belonging and camaraderie in an office environment leads to high job satisfaction among employees and a greater productivity that will ultimately be enjoyed by the company. A human resources manager is the first line of defense the everyday employee has against management decisions that will affect his or her happiness and productivity, and it is vital that human resources strike a bargain between the needs of the company and the well-being of the employees.You thought this was good? Brace yourself: Corporate Culture’s Impact on Planning and Strategy