Workplace issues affect nearly every professional at some point in their career. Be it a slacking co-worker, a safety concern or an overly critical supervisor, an unresolved issue can lead to a toxic work environment and greatly decrease productivity. Human Resources (HR) managers play a critical role in resolving workplace issues and disputes to ensure high employee morale and maximum productivity.
Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online Master of Business Administration (MBA) with a Concentration in Human Resources program prepares graduates to handle these complex personnel challenges through comprehensive, specialized studies. Coursework covers subjects like employee relations, organizational behavior and strategic HR management. While the definition of their role is straightforward, how HR managers resolve personnel problems and keep the workplace running at peak efficiency is a much more complex matter.
Typical Responsibilities of HR Professionals
HR management responsibilities touch many aspects of company operations. Chief among these is hiring and retaining great employees. An attractive compensation and benefits package represents only part of the offering. In addition, it takes a welcoming corporate culture to retain good employees, and skilled HR leaders work with senior executives to foster such a culture.
HR professionals keep employees up to date on required training and point them toward professional development opportunities. By rewarding good work, HR leaders play a key role in maximizing productivity and boosting morale across an organization.
How HR Managers Resolve Conflicts Through Employee Relations Management
The best way to manage a conflict is to prevent it from becoming a problem in the first place. HR professionals manage employee relations through fostering an atmosphere of open and honest dialogue. This approach helps employees feel comfortable when communicating with HR about any conflicts with co-workers and supervisors, or even non-work issues that may be affecting their performance at work.
HR professionals with excellent listening and communication skills can also help employees feel at ease broaching touchy subjects. HR conflict resolution becomes more effective when professionals handle problems quickly and easily while they are still minor issues.
Legal Framework for Workplace Dispute Resolution
Legislation exists to help HR professionals proactively prevent and handle problems that employees may have with each other or with management. These laws define parameters for overtime, minimum compensation, employee benefits and healthcare, and safety in the workplace. The Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws are among the most significant and overarching.
The U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) enforces EEO laws. According to the EEOC, EEO laws “make it illegal to discriminate against a job applicant or an employee because of the person’s race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, or related conditions, transgender status, and sexual orientation), national origin, age (40 or older), disability or genetic information.”
HR managers must maintain a thorough familiarity with these laws and how they relate to a company’s hiring practices, employee relations and office culture. Knowing and enforcing EEO guidelines ensures that an organization remains in compliance with the law and offers a welcoming workplace. Strong HR leadership skills and expertise enable managers to effectively navigate complex legal and interpersonal challenges.
Build Your Human Resources Career With Southeastern’s MBA in HR
A successful career in human resources requires comprehensive education and specialized training in employment law, conflict resolution and organizational management. Southeastern’s online MBA in Human Resources program combines a management foundation with specialized HR studies to prepare graduates for HR leadership roles. Students can study on a flexible schedule while continuing to meet personal and professional obligations.
The program’s core curriculum covers areas such as strategic management, financial management, economics and accounting. Courses in human resource management and supervisory management cover EEO regulations as well as the intricacies of hiring, solving personnel issues and providing staff training. Equipped with specialized knowledge and skills, students complete the program prepared to confidently navigate HR leadership challenges in any workplace setting or industry.
Learn more about Southeastern Oklahoma State University’s online MBA with a Concentration in Human Resources program.