HRGeneralist VS HR Specialist
Introduction “What are you going to school for?” Is often a question one will hear throughout their college career. Those who answer this question with a simple “Human Resource Management,” often fail to realize how broad that is to the receiving party. To those that are unaware human resource manage [HRM] is a broad umbrella term. (Evans, 1984). Human resources management is one of the most important aspects of any business. Within HRM there are two types HR generalist and HR specialist. Just as the name suggest a HR specialist focuses on one area of human resources while HR generalist work with all aspects of it. Both of them are considered to be human resource specialists.
Functional Differences Other than differences regarding one’s title there are some key aspects to note between HR specialist and HR generalist. As was previously stated HR specialist focus on a certain area of human resources. A few of their job duties entail employee training, administration, staffing/hiring, payroll, and human resources information systems [HRIS]. There are some specialist that analyze the effects of industry, work-related trends, employment relations, as well as preparing information for managers to use during negotiations with labor unions. (Snell & Bohlander, 2013). In contrast to HR specialist HR generalist can confidently handle all aspects of human resources required of them in regards to their employer. So if their employer ask them to conduct training or handle payroll they would be able to tackle the task without any problem since they have experience in that area already.
Which is superior? Based on the information provided above each seem to have their pros and cons. HR specialist are far more superior when it concerns the area that they have been specifically trained for. Those that take pleasure in focusing on a particular area of the field are best suited for a human resource specialist. Some simply rather have a job that is more routine that is a
Functional Differences Other than differences regarding one’s title there are some key aspects to note between HR specialist and HR generalist. As was previously stated HR specialist focus on a certain area of human resources. A few of their job duties entail employee training, administration, staffing/hiring, payroll, and human resources information systems [HRIS]. There are some specialist that analyze the effects of industry, work-related trends, employment relations, as well as preparing information for managers to use during negotiations with labor unions. (Snell & Bohlander, 2013). In contrast to HR specialist HR generalist can confidently handle all aspects of human resources required of them in regards to their employer. So if their employer ask them to conduct training or handle payroll they would be able to tackle the task without any problem since they have experience in that area already.
Which is superior? Based on the information provided above each seem to have their pros and cons. HR specialist are far more superior when it concerns the area that they have been specifically trained for. Those that take pleasure in focusing on a particular area of the field are best suited for a human resource specialist. Some simply rather have a job that is more routine that is a
References: Evans, P. (1984). On the importance of a generalist conception of human resource management: A cross-national look. Human Resource Management, 23(4), p347-363. Snell, S., & Bohlander, G. (2013). Managing human resources. (16th ed.). Mason, OH: South Western Cengage Learning.