The crucial role of HR
Toivo Indongo
The human resources (HR) department plays a crucial role in every organisation. It is responsible to centralise multiple human resource functions like benefits administration, payroll, recruiting employees, training, rewards and recognition. Hence HR practitioners take care of these important resources and that is why we are called ‘human doctors’.
In 2008, I enrolled with the then Polytechnic of Namibia, now known as Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), for a bachelor degree in public management for one year, since I never wanted to take a gap year. In 2009, I registered for a Bachelor degree in human resource management with the same institution. I did not choose HR because of any fancy reason but simply because of my interpersonal skills and my passion within me. The career chose me, and not because ‘I am a people’s person’.
It is a great field that I love and am very passionate about. Most importantly, the feeling which I get when I appoint staff for a deserving job after an interview, it is just too amazing.
My journey in the field of HR began on 1 December 2014 at the Otjozondjupa education directorate, and a year later I moved to education ministry head office, where I am currently employed as an HR practitioner.
The ability to multitask, since on average workday deals with one employee's personal complaint, one-minute, answering a maternity leave question the next, and figuring out an effective recruitment strategy or method to fill a difficult position. Furthermore, a strong sense of ethics and maintaining confidentiality is crucial in this position.
Though it is not a glamorous field, it is a most reputed one in the industry. It offers a wide platform to sharpen your skills. You should have excellent communication skills to handle employees, from ground staff to executive level.
You should also have good time management skills and self-discipline, as there are not enough hours in the day for an HR practitioner to be able to get all of their work done. One has to learn to manage time wisely, so you don’t get burned out.
Being impartial and objective is a key tool as an HR practitioner, since it's required to remain neutral when dealing with work incidents. This is important because your personal opinion does not count, as decisions must be based solely on the facts presented. One should be able to train, develop and mentor employees. However, firing of employees, layoffs and employee relation issues makes it less appealing, since these can deprive another soul.
In conclusion, the requirement of HR staff has risen every year. It is a prestigious field. There are solid reasons to choose a career in the HR field.
*Toivo Indongo is an HR practitioner at the education ministry. Playing football with peers is one of his best hobbies.
The human resources (HR) department plays a crucial role in every organisation. It is responsible to centralise multiple human resource functions like benefits administration, payroll, recruiting employees, training, rewards and recognition. Hence HR practitioners take care of these important resources and that is why we are called ‘human doctors’.
In 2008, I enrolled with the then Polytechnic of Namibia, now known as Namibia University of Science and Technology (Nust), for a bachelor degree in public management for one year, since I never wanted to take a gap year. In 2009, I registered for a Bachelor degree in human resource management with the same institution. I did not choose HR because of any fancy reason but simply because of my interpersonal skills and my passion within me. The career chose me, and not because ‘I am a people’s person’.
It is a great field that I love and am very passionate about. Most importantly, the feeling which I get when I appoint staff for a deserving job after an interview, it is just too amazing.
My journey in the field of HR began on 1 December 2014 at the Otjozondjupa education directorate, and a year later I moved to education ministry head office, where I am currently employed as an HR practitioner.
The ability to multitask, since on average workday deals with one employee's personal complaint, one-minute, answering a maternity leave question the next, and figuring out an effective recruitment strategy or method to fill a difficult position. Furthermore, a strong sense of ethics and maintaining confidentiality is crucial in this position.
Though it is not a glamorous field, it is a most reputed one in the industry. It offers a wide platform to sharpen your skills. You should have excellent communication skills to handle employees, from ground staff to executive level.
You should also have good time management skills and self-discipline, as there are not enough hours in the day for an HR practitioner to be able to get all of their work done. One has to learn to manage time wisely, so you don’t get burned out.
Being impartial and objective is a key tool as an HR practitioner, since it's required to remain neutral when dealing with work incidents. This is important because your personal opinion does not count, as decisions must be based solely on the facts presented. One should be able to train, develop and mentor employees. However, firing of employees, layoffs and employee relation issues makes it less appealing, since these can deprive another soul.
In conclusion, the requirement of HR staff has risen every year. It is a prestigious field. There are solid reasons to choose a career in the HR field.
*Toivo Indongo is an HR practitioner at the education ministry. Playing football with peers is one of his best hobbies.
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