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HR (or human resources) refers to the people responsible for the employees within an organisation.

The HR department is one of the most important parts of a company, as they are in charge of finding the best talent and keeping them happy.

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What Does A HR Department Do?

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HR manages everything to do with a company’s people – from recruiting them, to onboarding, training and sometimes even firing them. Not to mention, the HR department will also be in charge of company benefits and payroll.

Some key responsibilities include:

• Compliance: Making sure the company is adhering to all of the latest employment laws and staying compliant.
• Recruitment: Everything from posting job offerings, to sifting through applications to screening candidates.
• Onboarding: Helping them get to know the company, giving them the training they need and making sure they get the benefits they were promised.
• Training: Getting employees the training they need to succeed in their roles.
• Retention: Working on pay reviews, employee happiness and wider initiatives to make sure the business retains its best employees.

If you’re a business leader or professional that wants to better understand how to manage people within a business, then look no further.

Here, we explore the best books to help you master the art of HR.

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HR From the Outside In: Six Competencies for the Future of Human Resources

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This book is all about the 6 competencies HR professionals need in order to drive their businesses towards success.

If you’re someone looking for strategies that you can put into practice from day 1 on the job, then this book is for you.

Buy the book .

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HR Disrupted: It’s Time For Something Different

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This book is all about how much work has adapted, arguing that traditional HR is no longer fit for purpose. It challenges HR leaders to redefine the status quo and adapt their policies to appeal to the modern worker.

Whilst it may not have all the answers, this book is great for anyone that wants to change their mindset and build a strong HR team.

Buy the book .

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The Essential HR Handbook

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Whether you’re running a small business or a big enterprise, understanding HR is incredibly important.

This book talks readers through every aspect of HR, from attracting the right people, to training, onboarding and even understanding legal compliance. Whether you want to brush up on your knowledge or need a place to start, this book is definitely one for you.

Buy the book .

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Work Rules! Insights from Inside Google That Will Transform How You Live and Lead

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Written by the former Senior Vice President of People at Google, this book talks readers through how one of the most successful companies in the world attracts and manages their talent.

This book is all about how companies should work to strike a balance between creativity and structure, helping to benefit both the business and its employees.

Buy the book .

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The New HR Leader’s First 100 Days

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Starting in a new company? This one’s for you. The book is all about how to hit the first 100 days running, helping to get results quickly.

It talks about the importance of taking charge and building respect from day 1. Given 31% of HR leaders fail within the first 18-24 months, this guide can help any leader set themselves up for success from the word go.

Buy the book .

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The HR Scorecard: Linking People, Strategy, and Performance

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Another one from Dave Ulrich, this book gives readers a 7 step strategy for embedding HR into a company’s strategy.

By analysing every area of the business, HR leaders can more easily measure and demonstrate HR’s impact on a company’s performance – ultimately positioning it as an important part of the organisation.

Buy the book .