Emil, the assistant HR manager, is regarded as an HR generalist due to his involvement in a wide range of human resources tasks. Professionalizing HR functions plays a significant role in reducing hiring biases and ensuring effective corporate management. Properly managed HR contributes to a balanced and discrimination-free work environment.
Regarding the question about Emil, an assistant HR manager who 'handles almost every aspect of human resources at the company, from employee questions about benefits to holding exit interviews,' it would be true to say that Emil is a generalist. This is because HR generalists usually have a broad range of responsibilities across multiple HR functions, as described for Emil's role. In contrast, an HR specialist focuses on a specific area within human resources, and since Emil is involved in varied tasks, this does not apply. An HR technologist would specialize in the technology aspect of HR, which is not mentioned in the description, and a unit manager would typically oversee a specific department or unit, which does not align with Emil's multi-faceted role.
Professionalism in HR is key for mitigating biases in hiring processes and for providing equal opportunity. Having a professional HR department with strategies and experience working with diverse staff could help in reducing discrimination against candidates with Asian-sounding names or other unconscious biases, as suggested by research in Canada. Additionally, HR's role in institutional and corporate management is crucial for promoting a positive work culture and ensuring that the concerns of both higher management and frontline employees are balanced and addressed effectively.