While it might seem that HR is just another administrative department that doesn’t really contribute to the accomplishments of a business, that is certainly not the case. In fact, they play a major role in securing a company’s success. That is because they are the ones responsible for attracting and, most importantly, retaining the top talent.

Attracting suitable professionals is already quite a task. It gets especially complicated if the position is highly specialized and there’s a shortage of talent capable of filling the role. When gearing up for the recruiting process, one has to ensure the brand’s image is appealing and the salary and benefits offered are appropriate.

When the right professional has been found and hired, they need to then be onboarded on the team, which is another task for HR. The onboarding process usually involves personally meeting co-workers and managers and getting introduced to software or hardware a person will be using. There might be some training involved, you might get debriefed by IT, and there also might be some gifts, usually in the form of company merch.

And while all this might seem superfluous, it is actually very important. Studies show that an employee is more likely to stay in a company if they have gone through a thorough onboarding process. As rehiring is usually the more expensive option, doing everything to make talent want to stay should be a big priority for those who want to see their business flourish. Onboarding allows the new hire to get to know the company culture and feel like they are a part of the team and that is extremely valuable.

Speaking about company culture, HR is usually the department that builds and maintains it. Unlike other teams that focus on the business itself, the HR is there to think of the company as a whole. That is why they are the ones responsible for exercising company values by creating a respectful, joyful, and productive atmosphere.

A positive working environment is what keeps people engaged in what a company is doing. Once again, engagement is crucial when it comes to retaining talent. If the employees feel valued, get along with their managers and co-workers, and have incentives to excel in what they are doing, they are very likely to stay in the position. This is where HR steps in by listening to the workers’ needs and being their liaison with the higher-ups.

Risk management is another task on HR’s plate. This is basically making sure that the company and its employees abide to all the rules and regulations out there. This can be anything from ensuring workers' health and safety to investigating harassment claims. They must take a lot of preventative measures, provide training, and eliminate any possible liability when necessary.

All in all, HR are literally the reason why big companies exist. Without them, there would be chaos all over the place. So let’s honor them in the best way possible—by laughing and sharing funny memes about their struggles. You guys rock!