In a sense, all managers are HR managers as they all get involved in activities like selecting, training, compensating employees. Yet most firms, now a days, have the HR department headed by a person with requisite qualifications in behavioural sciences. How do the duties of this HR manager relate to the line managers’ HR duties would be an interesting question to answer. Line managers have the final responsibility for achieving the organisation's goals. They also have the authority to direct the work of subordinates. Staff managers usually help and advise line managers in achieving organisational goals. HR managers are staff experts. They assist line managers in areas like recruiting, selecting, training and compensating. Managing people, in a broader context, is every manager’s business and successful organisations generally combine the experience of line managers with the experience of HR specialists while utilising the talents of employees to their greatest potential. HR managers have to win the hearts of employees working alongside line mangers and deliver results in a cost-effective manner. HR managers as indicated earlier are assuming a greater role in top management planning and decision making-a trend that indicates the growing realisation among executives that HRM can make significant contributions to the success of an organisation.
