Understanding HR Workflow: What Should You Know for Interviews?

Dear all,

Can anyone help me with the what and how of HR workflow? One of my friends was asked this in an interview and was caught off guard. I am also quite lost about the same. Please do help me.

Regards,
Pallavi

Hello Pallavi,

Workflow is nothing but business procedures; business procedures during which documents, information, or tasks are passed from one participant to another for action, according to a set of procedural rules. We use workflow for various HR functions like Recruitment And Selection, Payroll, Benefits Management, Training and Development, and Performance Management.

For your understanding, I'm attaching the Requisition to Hire Workflow.

Thank you, Indus.

I had also seen that flowchart on one of the sites. When asked to explain the HR workflow, should one describe the process followed in one's organization or a general work process?

Regards,
Pallavi

Hi,

Do you mean the whole HR flow? HR MACRO PROCESS consists of all the processes from Searching candidates -> recruiting -> job assignment -> development (training, promotion, etc) -> until separation (pension or termination). Each process can be mapped in workflow. Each workflow is the procedure for respected activities, such as recruiting procedure, new employee orientation procedure, new job assignment procedure, training procedure, job training procedure, PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT PROCEDURE, promotion procedure, transfer procedure, retirement procedure, etc. These make up the entire life cycle of an employee from the first time he/she was hired until he/she leaves the company. Hope this clarifies the question.

Regards,
Joseph

Hi,

As Joseph quoted, "Workflow is the procedural aspect of any activity defining the processes it involves."

HR workflow, in general, extends from Manpower planning to employee separation. This life cycle is consistent across industries, but the processes for each system (recruitment, PMS, compensation & benefits, etc.) tend to vary from company to company.

Regards,
RajeshB

Hi,

The life cycle is common across all industries. However, the workflow of different activities may vary from industry to industry and within an industry, it may even vary with the size of the company and the organizational structure they follow.

Regards,
Indus

Hi Joseph, Rajesh, and Indus,

Thank you a lot for your inputs. It has helped me significantly. I am now trying to establish a workflow in my organization as currently, it is a bit haphazard.

Thanks once again.

Regards,
Pallavi