What Does an HR Generalist Do? A Complete Career Guide

An HR Generalist is a versatile professional responsible for a wide range of human resources functions, from recruitment to employee relations, with an average salary in the UK around £34,000. This role is central to fostering a positive work environment and ensuring legal compliance, making it a critical and in-demand position within organizations of all sizes.

What is the core mission of an HR Generalist?

A Human Resources Generalist manages various aspects of the HR field, acting as a key point of contact for employees and management. Instead of specializing in one area, they possess broad knowledge across multiple HR disciplines. Their primary mission is to implement HR strategies that support the workforce and align with the company's business goals. They simplify complex personnel matters, providing integrated solutions that eliminate the need for a company to hire several individual specialists. Key areas of responsibility typically include:

• Recruitment and Staffing: Leading the full-cycle recruitment process, which includes writing job descriptions, screening applicants, conducting initial interviews, and coordinating hiring efforts with department managers.
• Employee Relations: Acting as a neutral bridge between staff and management. This involves investigating complaints, resolving conflicts, and enforcing company policies to maintain a positive work environment.
• Benefits Administration: Managing employee benefit programmes, ensuring staff understand their packages, and liaising with insurance brokers or benefits carriers.
• Legal Compliance: Ensuring the company adheres to current employment laws and regulations to avoid costly legal disputes.

What skills are essential for a successful HR Generalist?

Beyond educational qualifications, success in this role hinges on a specific set of soft and hard skills. Based on our assessment experience, the most critical skills include:

• Communication Skills: Exemplary verbal and written communication is essential for conveying policies clearly, mediating disputes, and dealing with individuals at all organizational levels.
• Critical Thinking: The ability to analyze situations from multiple perspectives, anticipate potential problems, and devise effective solutions is crucial for making tough decisions.
• Organisational Skills: Juggling various tasks, from recruitment drives to benefits enrollment, requires excellent time management and the ability to maintain accurate records.
• Knowledge of HR Laws: A profound understanding of current employment legislation and HR best practices is non-negotiable for maintaining compliance.
• Relationship-Building: Establishing employee trust is foundational. An HR Generalist must foster open communication and address concerns with a respectful, empathetic attitude.

What is the career path and salary for an HR Generalist?

The journey typically begins with a bachelor's degree in Human Resources or a related field, though relevant experience can sometimes substitute for formal education. Gaining experience through internships is highly valuable. For advancement to managerial positions, a master’s degree or an MBA can be beneficial.

According to data from the UK's Office for National Statistics (ONS), the HR field is expected to grow about 7% from 2019 to 2029, faster than the average for all occupations. The average salary for an HR Generalist in the UK is approximately £34,000 per year, but this can vary significantly based on experience, company size, industry, and geographic location. For perspective, here are similar roles and their national average salary figures from ok.com:

In summary, a career as an HR Generalist is both challenging and rewarding, offering a central role in shaping company culture. To succeed, focus on developing strong communication and critical thinking skills, stay updated on changing employment laws, and prioritize building trust with employees. This foundation not only prepares you for the generalist role but also opens doors to advanced HR positions.