Human resources professionals are responsible for strategically managing employees within an organization while respecting laws governing employee rights and employer obligations. When a company violates these complex and ever-changing regulations, it exposes itself to risks, including lawsuits, financial loss, and reputational damage. Following the adage of teaching a man to fish, Hyde equips his students with the knowledge and skills to apply the law in their individual roles – even after current legislation has changed. It`s a combination of these analytical skills and up-to-date legal knowledge, she says, that can differentiate an HR professional from their peers and advance their career. While it is possible to learn the laws in the workplace through on-the-job experience, most employers expect the HR professionals they hire to already have a solid understanding of the laws that govern the profession. So, if your goal is to work in human resource management, it will be helpful to develop this understanding to prepare for work. These professionals are responsible for frequently making decisions in the field that can have serious legal consequences, so knowing current human resources laws gives these industry workers the confidence to make those decisions or know when to turn to outside counsel. Help reshape the HR industry in the digital age. If you are considering earning a degree in human resource management, which is often pursued by future HR professionals, evaluate the program of programs on your shortlist. High-quality programs include courses in each of the above areas, including the specific legal aspects that HR professionals need to understand. HR professionals with legal expertise also have a competitive advantage in the workplace due to their ability to proactively minimize a company`s exposure to legal risk. With their working knowledge of applicable laws and their practical applications, they help companies stay compliant and avoid unnecessary claims while protecting the rights of valued employees. Below, Briana Hydeâa, a lecturer at Northeastern`s College of Professional Studies who teaches nonprofit management, legal governance and human resource management, outlines the key human resource laws that industry professionals should be aware of to most effectively serve their organization and advance their careers.
Hyde says there are several key areas of law that all HR professionals should know in order to serve their employees and employers most effectively. These are: Hyde says there is also immense pressure on organizations to provide better harassment training. It is important for HR staff to know what legally constitutes harassment in order to eliminate it in the workplace. Informed HR professionals can better prevent harassment and protect both employees and the company. Since non-compliance can lead to such serious consequences, there is a high demand for industrial workers who are familiar with personnel laws and general legal issues in the workplace. HR roles are not universal. Depending on the title, the responsibilities of an HR employee can vary widely. Some hiring managers are solely responsible for staffing, others focus on employee development, some deal exclusively with compensation and benefits, and still others – generalists – do everything. “In my law classes, students don`t just memorize laws, because [laws change] and] what they learn today may not be applied in six months.
Instead, we work to establish critical thinking skills and work within a fact model to see how HR professionals can apply the law to facts in various real-world scenarios. Today, we are builders, insurers, investors, owners and city generators. Morning? Who knows. We are looking for an exceptional Human Resources Business Partner (HRBP) to join our team in London to support three of our growing teams. Investment functions, Asian operations (Tokyo/HK/Australia) and corporate governance team (global). As a HRBP, you provide expert human resources support that enables your business units to grow, develop and achieve their full potential and goals. At Legal & General, your story will be anything but familiar. Here, your actions and ideas come to life in an exciting and meaningful way.
These laws apply to all stages of an employee`s life cycle, from preparation for hiring to legal termination. Hyde says allegations of discrimination can be made even before a company brings someone in for an interview, depending on how job descriptions are created. It is important for HR professionals to know not only the laws, but also the many ways they can be applied to avoid practices that expose a company to unnecessary liability. Another important piece of legislation in this category is the Family and Medical Leave Act of 1993 (FMLA), which entitles eligible workers to 12 weeks of unpaid leave for certain family and medical reasons, with continued health insurance and employment protection. In 2010, this legislation was amended to provide more flexibility for veterans and serving military personnel to provide them with additional protection under the act. These laws, which protect employees` wages and hours, are regulated by the U.S. Department of Labor. The main law – the Fair Labour Standards Act (FLSA) – has a number of important functions. For example, this law: The Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) was created in 1970 to ensure safe working conditions for employees.
Compliance with these regulations is monitored by the Occupational Safety and Health Administration, a division of the United States.