Human Resources Management Essentials

Every profession has its fundamentals—and in Human Resources, they’re anything but basic. Whether you’re an experienced HR leader or a founder wearing multiple hats, this section gives you the core knowledge to understand what HR is, what it does, and why it matters.

We begin with foundational questions: What is HR? How do theories shape real-life people practices? What roles exist within HR teams, and what skills and career paths should HR professionals consider?

Then, we move through the employee lifecycle, from hiring to exit, including onboarding, development, and retention. You’ll also learn to distinguish between different employment types—from full-time staff to freelancers—and how they impact policies and strategy.

Finally, this section covers the critical ground of compliance and ethics. We explore the principles, laws, and expectations that keep people safe, treated fairly, and aligned with values.

Whether you’re setting up your first HR function or building a more strategic capability, these essentials are your starting point. Everything else in HR builds on this.

Let’s get to the heart of great people management.