Survey shows top 10 reasons why human resources professionals like their job
Responsibilities evolve, trends come and go — but for HR, supporting employees is always the best part.
This is according to the latest research from Ciphr, which surveyed 300 HR decision-makers about what they love the most about their jobs.
Half of the respondents said they love working in HR because they like supporting and helping employees, while 47% said they like hiring new employees and growing the business.
The other reasons why they like working in HRv include:
Claire Williams, chief people and operations officer at Ciphr, said what has always excited her the most about HR is its unique position in organisations.
"They have a front-row seat to seeing the tangible impact of influencing and supporting people to perform at their best," Williams said in a statement. "Whether it's developing leaders, improving employee engagement, or driving strategic workforce planning, every initiative has a direct link to business outcomes."
According to Williams, HR isn't limited to just policies and processes.
"It's about unlocking human potential to drive lasting business success, and that's why I love it."
Interestingly, HR pay did not make it to the top 10 reasons why these professionals love their jobs. According to the Ciphr report, only 28% cited competitive pay or a good salary as a top reason why they like working in HR.
This implies "some dissatisfaction with HR compensation levels generally," the report noted.
Other reasons that didn't make it to the top 10 include the variety or versatility of the HR role (28%), transforming business processes (26%), and informing strategic decision-making (25%).
The findings come in the wake of evolving HR roles across the world. In Australia and New Zealand, Hays found that HR leaders "are now heavily involved in business strategy, culture, and operational decision-making."
"This shift means they must not only understand people, but also drive transformation at the highest level," said Eliza Kirkby, Managing Director at Hays Australia & New Zealand, in a statement.
Workday, in a poll that also covered ANZ HR leaders, also found that these professionals now have more participation in board meetings since the start of the pandemic.
Allyson Skene, Vice President, Global Vision and Experience, Workday, previously told HRD that HR's role in the response during the pandemic helped elevate their status in workplaces.
The growing focus on employee experience also helped, according to Skene.
At Ciphr, their people team acknowledged that the role of HR professionals is evolving, but they embraced it as one of the parts that they love about the job.
"HR is always evolving – whether that be new technology or new legislation to get up to speed with – there is always something new," said Jessica Scully, people partner at Ciphr, in a statement. "This ensures I get the chance to be challenged to grow and learn along the way. I'm currently doing my CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma and loving it!"
