Layne outlines role of HR

BEING able to address different challenges and to learn from your mistakes are just some of the traits that you must process if you want to have a career in human resources (HR).

This is according to Manager of Training, Human Resources Department, Scotiabank, Rico Layne, who delivered remarks on ‘The Vital Role of Human Resources Management’ at the International Business (IB) Barbados Secondary Schools’ Symposium 2017 held under the theme ‘International Business: Enhancing Your Journey’, yesterday at the Lloyd Erskine Sandiford Centre (LESC).

He said that the role of HR has moved away from simply being an administrative one as it was several years ago, as it now involves having a whole set of management and people skills.

“In most organisations, the role of the Human Resources Department is critical to ensuring that the people remain engaged and productive and contributing to success of the business and working towards achieving personal and professional goals. The Human Resources Department has evolved beyond a Personnel Department who was responsible for administrative duties only.”

In addition, the work environment is changing constantly, especially with the creation of more and more new technologies, the fact that there are more global organisations and also that no longer is an employee expected to work until retirement at the same organisation that he/she would have joined right out of university.

“In 2017, the world is different. We have new, cutting-edge technologies and new age operating techniques. Companies, like the one I work for, operate across geographies and cultures. Economies are interrelated and rise and fall continuously. Companies have to op-erate with increasingly stringent laws and regulations. I ask you, what holds this all together? Is it the buildings? No. Some people don’t even report to a ‘specific place’ for work – they work remotely. Is it the computers, machinery or the technology? Only partially so. The one thing that makes it all work together, the biggest asset to any company – the people. People are the reason behind every customer interaction, every product delivery, every marketing presentation and every successful company.”

Therefore, processing these skills is imperative, said the Scotiabank Manager of Training.

“You have to be bold and courageous in order to confront the daily challenges. You have to be willing to learn continuously and especially, to learn from your mistakes. You have to speak equally to persons who are both junior and senior to you. You have to remain impartial and objective at all times. HR can be a lonely place. We make tough decisions and we have to stand by them. Most of all, you have to love to work with people and to do what is right at all times.”