General Education Development (GED) Practice Exam

What is the main function of a human resources department?

1. Meet recruiting goals

2. Maximize productivity while minimizing pay

3. Facilitate communication between employer and employees

4. Prevent lawsuits

The correct answer is: Facilitate communication between employer and employees

The primary function of a human resources department is to facilitate communication between employers and employees. This encompasses a variety of tasks, including addressing employee concerns, managing conflict, and ensuring that both parties have the information they need to function effectively within the organization. When communication is strong, it fosters a positive work environment, enhances employee satisfaction, and promotes collaboration, ultimately contributing to the overall success of the organization. While meeting recruiting goals, maximizing productivity while minimizing pay, and preventing lawsuits are all important aspects of human resources, they are more specific functions rather than the overarching aim of the department. Strong communication supports recruitment efforts by providing clarity about job roles and candidate expectations, it can lead to increased productivity through improved teamwork and morale, and it helps mitigate risks by ensuring that employees are informed about their rights and responsibilities, potentially reducing the chances of legal issues arising. Facilitating communication thus serves as the foundation upon which these other functions can be effectively built.