Starting as the First HR Manager: Where Should I Begin in a New Role?

Hello everyone,

I will be joining as an HR manager in one organization where there was no HR Department before. As this is my first opportunity, I am scared and confused. I am not able to understand from where I should start my work.

Please, friends, help me out.

Hema

Dear Hema,

All the best. Do not be scared. You are the one who is going to frame the HR concepts in your company. Take the help of Admin and Finance so that you will know how the payroll processing is done. Seek guidance from the Ops Manager and all Managers to understand people and their strengths. Discuss with the Top Management before you announce any policies. Remember, Rome was not built in a day. Proceed step by step at a regular pace. You will ROCK.

Regards,
Chandrakanth A G

Hi Hema,

Please look into this flowchart shared by one of my friends. You will get some information from it.

Regards,
Chandrakanth AG

Dear Hema, even though you take help from other members, what I suggest is to do your best and strive hard. Read lots of material on HR. Don't depend on ready-made material but create your own, using your skills.

Hello Hema,

Even if an HR Department was not there, the functions would have been performed. Hence, take a look at the advice provided on some of the websites.

[Setting Up an HR Department](http://e-hresources.com) (Search On [CiteHR](https://www.citehr.com/results.php?q=Setting Up an HR Department) | [Google](https://www.google.com/search?q=Setting Up an HR Department)) [www.e-hresources.com/Articles/aug32000.htm](http://e-hresources.com) (Search On [CiteHR](https://www.citehr.com/results.php?q=www e hresources com Articles aug32000 htm) | [Google](https://www.google.com/search?q=www e hresources com Articles aug32000 htm))

[www.esgnet.com/documents/WHITEPaper-SettingupHrinasmallco.pdf](http://www.esgnet.com/documents/WHITEPaper-SettingupHrinasmallco.pdf)

found at [setting up an HR department + procedures - Google Search](http://www.google.co.uk/search?hl=en&q=setting+up+a+HR+department+ %2B+procedures&btnG=Google+Search& meta)

Simhan
A retired academic

Hi Hema,

Same here. I joined this company 4 months ago. It's a leading name in the industry but had no HR department until I joined them (I don't have a title either :-))

The fear will go away when you join. But make sure that whatever you plan or intend to do is clearly communicated and proper approval has been received from the Senior Management. You should take the time to meet the Senior Management, keep them posted on what is happening, and continuously interact with them to have a clear understanding of what they are looking for.

You will have "n" number of people trying to give you information that you never sought. Just have a smile and listen to them. Don't take actions based on the information they give you (I fell into this pit and later realized the mistake). Please don't expect everyone to accept you and the new role. However, it is this very nature of theirs that will help you understand that you are a contributor. Don't lose hope.

To understand where to start, you have to study the organization and the processes involved. You will get to know the structure (if they don't have one, you will have to create and propose one). After you study and after the first two weeks, you will understand what you need to focus on. Then, please prioritize it and remember to keep the management informed of what you have observed and what you intend to do about it. Seek their input as well.

Whenever you have a new idea, create a model, present it, and explain the advantages. For example, create a sample appraisal - skills matrix; they will understand it much better.

Take care!

Hi,

Congratulations! Wishing you the very best for your new assignment.

1. Check out your job profile (appointment order) and meet your boss and other stakeholders to understand their expectations.
2. Plan your assignments for the next year broadly, e.g., HR policy framing, new appraisal system, launching HRMS, etc.
3. Prepare key performance areas and key performance indicators and get them approved by your boss.

Be cool, put in your efforts, invest quality time, try to understand people, be affable, learn processes, and people issues. Success will be with you.

You may please revert to the forum or send a private message for any further concerns.

This link might be useful to you: http://hrsystems.blogspot.com/2009/0...epartment.html

Hi,

Kindly let me know if there are any openings in HR generalist roles. I have 2 years of experience in training and development in the IT industry. Thank you.

Hi Hema,

Please don't feel confused or scared. You are going to have a great learning experience, and you will play a key role in developing the HR system in your organization. Just have a free and open mind. According to the needs of your organization, develop or redesign the HR functions.

I too started as the first one in our HR department without prior experience. However, I learned things by doing. Please consider approaching a consultant when it comes to the systematization of HR functions. In fact, when I developed the system here, the role of consultants played a significant part.

You are definitely going to have a great learning opportunity. All the best.

Shijit.

Need not get confused. Have a meeting with management and try to understand the functioning. Organize them in the form of departments, hierarchy. Try to understand the organization's needs, i.e., manpower hiring or managing current manpower. Keep things on priorities.

Arrange and organize all the HR-related documents you can find. Most of them can be found on "CiteEHR" or if you need any help, come to the forum and discuss with all of us.

Best wishes.

Congratulations, Hema. It's a wonderful opportunity that has fallen into your hands. A small tip to start your work: have an individual conversation with all the employees, including the housekeeping staff. Take their views - ask them how they feel about working at the current company, their likes, dislikes, and suggestions for improvement. This will give you an idea of how to proceed.

Make sure to look at the HR manual available on this site. Use it as a foundation to start your HR department. Always maintain a positive attitude at work and give it your all. If you need anything, please feel free to get in touch with me at [joylynandrade@gmail.com](mailto:joylynandrade@gmail.com). All the best.

Joylyn

Congratulations!

Everybody has given some confidence-building feedback to you, and it is all true. Being a new employee, before implementing core HR functions, you should understand the working environment of the company. First, ensure that administration, timekeeping, and payroll processes are strong because these are basic. Then, move on to the core HR functions.

All the best,
Makarand

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I am not able to download or view any attachment at any time, and the message is as follows:
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J. Dhamotharan 🤔

Hi Hema,

Don't be afraid. As per the worksheet mentioned above by some of my friends, start working on it. If you face any problems, just revert back to citeHR, and someone will surely help you. All the best.

Hi Hema,

I would like to add a few more suggestions to the earlier ones. First, understand your company's requirements. If they hired you for the HR Manager post, they are expecting specific deliverables in HR to support organizational growth.

- Try to have regular meetings with your management at least once a week to understand their requirements. Plan your work accordingly.

- You need to categorize your work into two: regular day-to-day responsibilities and value-added tasks to strengthen HR functions. For example, attendance, leaves, payroll fall under the first category, so focus on them based on timelines. Additionally, prioritize the second category, which includes policy formulations, setting up new processes, and planning new events.

- Start with the regular tasks and then focus on people engagements such as celebrating birthdays, planning outings, conducting team-building games, and organizing fun events.

Feel free to get involved with people and understand management's requirements. This approach will make your job easier.

Please reach out if you need any help.

Satya

Hi Hema,

Nice to know about your position. But no need to worry about that. Be loyal and adhere to the old policies that were in place at the company, and slowly amend them.

Thanks and regards,
Rajkumari

Hello Hema,

Check this link: https://www.citehr.com/99968-major-hr-links-10.html. It's a goldmine. Just begin to map your company's needs with the info available and discuss with the management—and ensure to highlight HOW & WHY what you are suggesting to them will help them & the company. Just remember none will buy something if they don't see something that benefits them. Asha's advice regarding approvals is good—ensure you follow them.

All the best.

Rgds,
TS

Hi friends,

My situation and conditions are just the same as Hema's. Recently, I joined the HR department as an HR Officer, but there is no HR Policy in place. Can anyone help me with the HR policy? I am also very scared about my job.

Abhishek

Dear Friends,

I joined as a Senior Officer - HRM in an organization where there were no training programs for employees before. I want to start training for employees, but I am confused. I am unable to understand where I should start my training and what subjects to include in the first session.

Please, friends, help me out.

With Regards,
Hemant Rathod