Unexpected HR Duties as a Finance Manager: How Do I Navigate This New Role?

Dear All,

I am a finance manager at an international freight forwarding company. Since there are no HR personnel in this company, management has assigned the responsibility to me. We have about 100 employees across 4 locations in India.

Please advise me on how to manage HR issues, how to receive training on HR functions, and how to build better relationships with the employees.

Thank you.

Hello,

First of all, you should:

1. Make a list of all people.
2. Make a short note on everybody as per their educational qualifications, experience, family details, etc.
3. Regarding statutory requirements: Ensure their PF, ESI, Bonus, and Gratuity formalities are in order.
4. Identify the individual's goals and compare them with your company's goals.
5. Review the present compensation system and note their expectations, etc.

ALL THE BEST,

Aparajita
Email: aparajita_b2002@yahoo.co.in

Hi Aprajita is right. First of all, make a list of do's and don'ts. Then, accordingly, start working.

Regards,
Govil Nanda

Frankly speaking, the company should not give the responsibility of HR to you as you are a finance manager. How will you be able to look after the HR of 100 people when you are already busy with finance work? Don't you feel the company is overloading you with more work?

So first, recruit 1-2 experienced HR executives and just supervise their work. At the same time, gain knowledge in HR; don't do the HR work by yourself. Managers don't do work; they get work done.

I agree with Ravi that assigning HR responsibilities to you is not going to work. You will be having your responsibilities as Finance Manager. Your priority always will be finance matters. If you start some HR activities and then lose focus from them because of other functional priorities, it can be damaging the impression of HR for the employees. Employees may feel that HR activities are not taken seriously and are remembered only when there is no other work. This may backfire.

Further, you have different locations to look after. In such a situation, your focus and continuity are likely to be hampered. 100 is not a big number where your management would like to appoint a Manager for HR. Here, you may opt for 1 or 2 junior-level employees in HR (maybe Officers or Executives) and assign them small targets to achieve rather than setting up the HR department.

Hope this is of some help to you.
- Hiten

Hi,

I agree with comrades in HR commenting that you should not be given the job. However, in this knowledge economy, success depends on the depth of knowledge (specialization) and the breadth of knowledge (variety) of the individual. Thus, I will not advise you to refuse the job. My suggestion would be:

1. To get the job professionally done, hire HR consultants and ask them to set up the process.
2. During the handover, you (and maybe a few others) should be trained on key areas and a follow-up plan.
3. Attend to HR along with Finance.

In this way, you grow yourself and help the company be cost-effective.

Cheers,
T-Haidry
www.nimblesol.com

PS: Would appreciate feedback and opinions from experts on this.

Dear All,

Thank you all for your responses. I have already proposed to the management to hire 2 assistants to help me with the workload. I have taken on this responsibility as I am interested in pursuing a career in HR and Administration to become an all-rounder.

Thank you again for your input.

Best regards,
Ismath