IS THE HR DEPARTMENT THE SAME AS THE PERSONNEL DEPARTMENT?
Human Resources is the modern name for the Personnel Department. They are the same.

WHAT DOES THE HR DEPARTMENT DO?
The HR Department manages the employees in an organisation. HR work includes managing:
salaries, staff leave, superannuation*, overtime, appeals* and so on. HR is responsible for the paperwork when a new employee is hired or when someone is fired. HR needs to know the laws relevant to hiring and firing, workplace health and safety and workplace discrimination.

HR is responsible for staff orientation, preparing budgets and forecasts for the personnel needs of the organisation. HR prepares manuals on recruitment policies, avoiding discrimination, managing staff and so on. They often suggest policy changes. The HR Department is vital to the success of an organisation.

*superannuation = money that an employer must put in a fund for each worker. Workers cannot access it until they retire. So it is a compulsory retirement fund. In Australia it is around 7 percent of a worker's salary.

* an appeal = a formal request for a decision to be reviewed. If an employer dismisses a worker and the worker thinks that it is an unfair dismissal, they can appeal. If someone is promoted, but you think you should have been promoted first, you can appeal.

WHAT SKILLS AND ABILITIES DOES AN HR MANAGER NEED?
Communication:- communicate effectively in speaking and writing; understand written and spoken information quickly and thoroughly.
Problem Solving:- identify problems; develop ways to measure and improve systems; judge the pros and cons of various actions; determine strengths and weaknesses of various practises and ideas; think creatively
People and Time Management :- motivate people and ensure that staff develop appropriate skills; staff training; solve problems by convening training or discussion sessions; persuade others to approach a problem in a different way
Knowledge:- knowledge of teaching/training methods; good use of language, basic mathematics, laws related to hiring, firing, managing, salaries and conditions, health and safety and workplace discrimination; psychology - the actions and mental processes of staff; activities performed by the organisation
Personal qualities:- work independently - make decisions and try new strategies; consider achievement and recognition important; able to motivate others; consider relationships important; enjoy social interactions

VOCABULARY
Let's look at some of the language used in the information above.
We are going to focus on the use of collocations. Collocations are words that are often found together - they co-locate or are often located together.

You read the word responsible in the information above. Can you remember which word went with it? (responsible of/up/over/down/at/in/for ...)

Look at the words below and choose the word that we often see with it.

1. responsible ? for of above
2. relevant ? of for to
3. prepare manuals ? on up of
4. vital ? at to by
5. develop ways ? for of to measure
6. the pros and cons ? with of above
7. strength and weaknesses ? by of above
8. solve problems ? on over by
9. persuade others ? to for above
10. good use ? on of at

Answer 1. for 2. to 3. on 4. to 5. to 6. of 7. of 8. by 9. to 10. of