Human resource professionals are key to running a successful company, whether the business is a large corporation or a small-scale operation. They are often the first members of the staff job applicants meet when they apply for work with the company. They help prepare new hires for work by explaining company policies and performance expectations, and assist existing employees with enrolling for benefits like health and dental insurance.

Some may not be aware that along with these very important roles, human resource managers provide much more to the companies for which they work. They organize many of the workplace activities some businesses use to welcome and unite new employees and nurture a positive work environment for existing employees. Human resources professionals also help company leaders craft strategic plans intended to ensure the future success of the business.

Here are a few more duties that typically fall on the company’s human resource department, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics:

They make sure you get paid

Few things bring more joy to an employee than the sight of that hard-earned paycheck at the end of the work week, and for many companies, it’s the human resources people who provide that joy. These folks make sure everyone is compensated for the time they worked during a given pay period, and they make sure everyone is paid on time. If an employees takes paid sick days or use vacation time, human resources personnel ensures they are paid for those earned hours, and they keep track of any remaining paid time off employees may have available.

They keep the office drama-free

While most prefer to work in an environment free of bickering and other types of bad (and frankly, distracting) behaviors, many of us have encountered some type of workplace drama. Let’s face it, it’s never fun to have to confront another coworker about the fact that they’re slacking off on the job because they’re always trolling Facebook, for example. Luckily, human resources people are there to serve as a mediator so employees can find ways to work better together in the future.

They help you plan your career

Human resource managers help existing employees figure out how their individual strengths could benefit the company down the road, and can line up specific training to prepare an employee for a promotion to a higher level position in the future. The human resources department is also a great place for new hires to find out more about how they might advance their career down the road.

They find the best people for the job

It’s human resource professionals who are responsible for choosing the best employees possible so a company can remain productive and successful. These professionals are familiar with company needs and future goals, and they understand the kinds of skills, education and experience they should be looking for when selecting a new employee for a specific role. When companies hire the right people for the job, it means a smoother transition for the new hire and for the existing staff.

Human resource professionals are far more than just the folks who set up the job interviews. They act as an important line of communication between employees and management. They are the go-to people when it comes to guiding employees through workplace grievances, and they assist management in making decisions about disciplinary actions when necessary. In addition, human resource people make suggestions for increasing productivity - and by extension, profit margins - which is good news for everyone on the staff.

At the end of the day, human resource staff help businesses run as smoothly as possible, and help create work environments in which employees can grow and succeed.