HR — Verb or Adjective
Human resources (HR) is a critical component of any organization. The function is responsible for the management of personnel, recruitment, and other related activities. However, the way HR is done is influenced by whether the practitioner sees HR as a verb or an adjective.
HR as an Adjective
Seeing HR as an adjective means that it is seen as a set of policies and practices that are put in place to manage the people within an organization. HR is viewed as creating guidelines, procedures, and processes that help manage employee recruitment, development, and retention. This view of HR emphasizes processes and the function focuses on ensuring that policies are implemented and adhered to by all employees.
HR as a Verb
On the other hand, viewing HR as a verb means seeing it as an active process of engaging with employees — rather than just managing them. This approach sees HR as a dynamic, fluid process that seeks to understand the needs of employees and provide support to meet those needs. HR professionals who see their role as a verb will be proactive and innovative, constantly seeking new ways to create a positive workplace culture and employee engagement.
