What Is an HR Generalist? (And Why Do I Need One?)

HR is a crucial element of keeping your business running. When a company is growing, it can be easy to lose sight of the importance of human resources. But a company that lasts is one where employees are safe and satisfied, and that’s where HR comes in handy.

Many growing businesses seek out an HR generalist to handle the full scope of their needs. Unsure if you need an HR generalist? Here’s a handy guide to what the job entails and how to go about finding one.

What is an HR generalist?

As you might have guessed, an HR generalist is someone who can handle any and all aspects of the HR process. They can oversee business processes including (but not limited to):

• Recruitment
• Interviews
• Payroll
• Onboarding
• Benefits
• Employee relations
• Enforcing policy

Unlike an HR manager, who supervises all elements of human resources, an HR generalist typically undertakes the tasks themselves.

What are the responsibilities of an HR generalist?

The expectations for an HR generalist role can vary depending on the employer. Typically, they perform the basic tasks that every company needs, such as payroll and recruitment.

An HR generalist is often responsible for making sure that employees are receiving their pay and benefits. When you think about HR involvement in the workplace, the first thing you might think of is resolving a conflict between coworkers. While a larger team may include an employee relations specialist, a generalist can assume this role as well.

On top of ensuring employee satisfaction, an HR generalist is often involved in the hiring (and firing) process. They may scout candidates, post job listings, conduct and/or manage interviews. They also often play an active role in onboarding.

In order to oversee human resources, an HR generalist may conduct regular performance reviews. Ensuring job satisfaction and addressing concerns is key. This may include team-building activities, workplace perks, and general support.

In order to be an effective HR generalist, one should be knowledgeable about both company policies and labor laws. Don’t panic and start googling “online law school;” you just need to keep local, state, and federal regulations in mind.

How much does an HR generalist make?

An HR generalist’s salary may depend on a variety of factors. A job listed for people with bachelor’s degrees and 2 years of experience will pay less than one requiring 10 years and an MBA.

However, keep in mind that an HR generalist is a demanding role. It requires knowledge and ability in all the areas listed above and more. As such, you should be prepared to offer a strong salary relative to lower-level HR specialist positions.

According to Salary.com, the median salary for a level-I HR generalist in Philadelphia is $65,175. Level II generalists can expect to make $77k, while level IV applicants can earn over $115k each year.

Who needs an HR generalist?

Every business should have an HR department. If you don’t have resources dedicated to looking out for your team, it’s only a matter of time before something slips through the cracks.

That being said, it’s not always effective to delegate the work to an HR generalist. A generalist has to be all things to all people. It’s a jack-of-all-trades role, which makes it untenable for larger companies. You might be able to keep track of 15 employees, but 1500?

That’s why it’s best for larger companies to invest in a full HR team, with a supervisor and specialists for each human resources responsibility.

Still, an HR generalist is a great option for startups and other companies on the rise. If you’re building an HR department from scratch, a generalist can plant the seeds for success as your company grows.

Conclusion

An HR generalist can be a challenging position. On top of often working alone, you have to frequently switch between different responsibilities and keep them all in mind at once.

On the other hand, it’s a rewarding, engaging, and often well-paying role. If you have a long history of HR experience, a generalist role might be just the fresh, challenging position you need. If you’re new to the workforce, hitting the ground running with a generalist position at a startup can set you on track to a fulfilling career.

There’s no getting around hiring an HR department; it’s a must-have for any business with more than a few employees. But if you’re on the rise and need a professional to help you scale, an HR generalist may be right for you.