Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Human Resources Manager
What human resources managers actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
What is a typical day like for a human resources manager?
Review open positions. From there, the day usually includes lead HR staff, oversee recruiting and hiring, and handle employee relations. Full time, sometimes with extra hours for investigations or layoffs.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a human resources manager working full time.
- Review open positions.
- Meet a manager about a performance issue.
- Investigate a complaint.
- Lunch with new hires.
- Update the employee handbook.
- Plan engagement survey.
- Coach an HR generalist.
Where human resources managers work
HR managers work in offices in every industry.
Hours and schedule
Full time, sometimes with extra hours for investigations or layoffs.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Lead HR staff
- Oversee recruiting and hiring
- Handle employee relations
- Manage performance programs
- Write and enforce policies
- Ensure legal compliance
- Advise leaders
Tools you’ll use every day
- HRIS systems
- Applicant tracking systems
- Performance software
- Survey tools
- Payroll systems
- Microsoft 365
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- High pay
- Shape workplace culture
- Every organization needs HR
- Strategic role
What’s hard
- Difficult conversations
- Legal risk
- Stuck between staff and leaders
- Emotional situations
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like helping people at work
- I keep things confidential
- I stay fair in conflict
- I like rules and policies
- I can have hard conversations
- I want a strategic role
Not sure? Take the free Human Resources Manager fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Prevent harassment and discrimination
- Protect employee records
- Support workplace safety programs
- Plan for workplace violence prevention