To ask what HR actually is?

[SummerDays95]

So I'm looking for a complete career change from teaching, been doing it for 7 years since I left uni. I've been looking at jobs in companies that I like the sound of as a starting point, as I have absolutely no clue! HR admin assistant has come up quite a lot, and I like the sound of it and I think it would suit my skillset. I don't know much about it and don't think I'm in a position to apply just yet, but would like to learn. Day to day, what does it involve, and what sort of qualifications would I need? I've never worked in admin before!

Some people have so much vitriol about HR. Some of the arguments aren't even constructive, just ranty and very bitter. Axe to grind perhaps?
HR professionals are mostly women.
I will make of that what I will.

L&D sits withing HR, as a teacher that might suit your skills as well.

And some on this thread...

I completely agree😂. However, as a teacher you'll be used to dealing with these types and a lot of the skills are transferable....still treating all people with politeness and professionalism, sometimes having to be firm and explaining things clearly.

Similarly to a PP I'm in a generalist role and I love that because you have the opportunity to be involved in lots of different aspects of HR and see a bit of everything. Every day is different and you don't know what's going to come through the door or land on your desk.

Just this week I've interviewed candidates for a new position, met with a senior manager to discuss succession planning in her team as a number of them are retiring, referred a colleague dealing with substance abuse issues to occupational health, had a performance management meeting with a colleague that isn't performing and his manager and spoken with an employee as part of a regular check in on their mental health and their workload. Plus lots of other less interesting but necessary bits responding to emails, minuting meetings and dealing with payroll.

It's the variety of the job that I like most but it's definitely admin heavy. As you progress you can also end up taking things home with you and stewing on them in the evenings.....the other week I'd spoken to a member of staff having a lot of issues in their personal life and I couldn't sleep for worrying about her but you'll know that from teaching too and it's worse because they're children.

It's a great career for anyone but particularly women as it's often family friendly with lots of options for part time working or lots of career progression opportunities. I've had some amazing female bosses in very senior HR roles that have been really supportive and championed me.

A poster on here sounds remarkably like a very senior bully I worked hard to expose and get sacked. Finest HR moment of my career. Improved the working experience for so many to get them out.

Anyway, the basic answer here is that what HR is depends on your remit, the size of your organisation and the contribution you want to make.

I love my job because no two days are the same and want to add as much value as I can. If moving on, I'd be incredibly choosy about my employer. You need a Board with decent values.

HR gets a lot of hate as you can see OP and there is a lot of misconceptions as to what their purpose is.

HR admin is a good job, it is usually exceptionally busy though from my experience. You have to have a balanced view of things for it to sit right with you. Sometimes employees do not do their jobs correctly and need to be managed out of the business. Sometimes you get a bullying manager but you can't just fire them on the spot, you have to follow procedures.