HR vs. Administration: Are These Roles Really Different or Just Linked Together?

In some organizations, employers ask for an HR & Administration Manager. The question arises: are both jobs different or linked with each other? In the previous setup, there were three different categories: Personnel, Administration, and now it is HR & Administration.

Personnel: Looking after the HR of the Company.

Administration: Taking care of administrative work, the day-to-day operations of the company.

Hi,

I would say that HR is the base of any organization, and administrative work follows that. An HR individual can handle admin work, but an admin personnel may not be able to manage HR functions.

Sapana Kale

Hi, Dear,

I would also like to add comments from my side according to my understanding and knowledge.

In actuality, there is a significant difference between HR and administration. Unfortunately, smaller organizations or organizations with unclear HR concepts/functions tend to mix them up. This confusion leads to positions like HR and Admin manager, where the responsibilities of both roles are combined into one. Instead of hiring separate individuals for these roles, they expect one person to handle the workload for both areas.

It is true that HR can handle routine administrative tasks (e.g., transport management, vehicle issues in pharmaceutical organizations, construction or civil matters, etc.). However, HR tasks are specialized, focusing on areas like training and development based on needs, performance appraisal, career management, succession planning, employee motivation, and retention.

Regarding personnel management, it is considered an older form of HR, emphasizing a more traditional approach where the human aspect of employees was less prioritized.

Hopefully, I have successfully clarified the differences between these areas.

Regards,

Khalid

Hi,

If we go through the definition of Administration, it is "to control and look after the organization as per company policy." It is the administration that closely coordinates with the employees in all respects, so they understand the capabilities and potential of each employee. It totally depends on the capability of the Administrator who can change the policies as per the environment. In fact, it is the admin who makes the company policies as per the requirements of the management.

Well, it could be right only in definition and until the time when HR was not evolved. After HR's arrival in the industry, the definition and the actual tasks have changed. Now, it's time to redefine Administration.

Earlier, administration was a general term used to carry out, develop, and control the systems of the country or organization. It was present in Bureaucratic Systems. However, with the emergence of HR, it has been realized that the human aspect shouldn't be ignored, as humans are the assets of an organization. Organizations cannot grow without the development of their employees. Thus, the bureaucratic system is declining with the rise of HR Systems and Approach.

The tasks mentioned in my previous reply for administration do not indicate that admin is closer to the employees. Instead, it's HR that is closer. Therefore, it is now HR's responsibility to ensure that policies are made for the benefit of employees and are implemented effectively.

I hope I have clarified the differences in detail. If not, please take a look at the functions performed by HR and administration in various well-established organizations.

Best Regards,

Khalid

Hi all,

According to me, HR and Admin are reciprocal to each other and have their own domains. Depending on the nature of a company's work, one can lead the other or can be taken care of by one person.

Admin's main responsibilities include:

1. Organization Structure: However, HR maintains this and regularly updates through Training and Development afterward.
2. Material In/Out Systems including issuing and stocktaking.
3. Housekeeping and Security.
4. Accountancy and various returns like Income Tax, Excise, etc.
5. Banking financial operations.
6. Purchasing/sales.
7. Production Planning.
8. Transportation for staff/workers.
9. Making policies in view of labor laws (HR personnel will guide for this).

I would love to receive comments from viewers on this.

Manish Gupta

Hi all,

I read that an administrator will also hire people and manage day-to-day activities. Which one is correct? Some people are saying that Administrator belongs to top management. Can anyone help me with a clear explanation?

Thanks,
Regards,
Sravani Chowdary

In my opinion, the conceptual difference in HR & Admin is as follows:

Admin: Providing facilities to human resources and the organization.
HR: Developing human resources and the organization.

Thanks & warm regards,
Manas