Supporting employees is the top reason people like working in HR, but pay for people professionals is less satisfactory, research has indicated.
A poll of 300 HR professionals found that 50 percent said supporting employees was a key element in enjoying their job, while 47 percent said recruiting people and growing the business was their favourite part.
Two-fifths of respondents said that helping improve workplace productivity and efficiency, and working with nice colleagues, were key for them with 40 percent and 39 percent respectively.
Other popular elements of the HR role include work that ‘makes work better’, such as supporting good employment practices and ensuring legal compliance (37 percent), solving problems (36 percent), and helping to create a good working culture (34 percent), according to the research from HR software provider Ciphr.
Nine in ten (90 percent) HR respondents could name three or more favourite things about their job, although on average, they mentioned six things.
Around a third of respondents said what they liked most about their HR role was that it gave them a sense of achievement and job satisfaction (35 percent), as well as a good work-life balance (33 percent). A similar proportion (32 percent) enjoy knowing that their work contributes to business success.
Pay dissatisfaction
However responses about HR pay were more mixed. Just over a quarter (28 percent) said that competitive pay or a good salary were one of the main reasons they like working in HR (ranking it in 16th place). Researchers said this implies some dissatisfaction with HR compensation levels generally.
Claire Williams, chief people and operations officer at Ciphr, said: “I truly believe that company performance is a direct reflection of its peoples’ performance. You can have the best strategy, products, or technology but without engaged, high-performing people, success is never sustainable. And HR sits at the heart of this – shaping cultures, enabling leadership, and driving the right talent strategies to unlock potential.
“What has always excited me is the unique position that HR holds in organisations. They have a front-row seat to seeing the tangible impact of influencing and supporting people to perform at their best. Whether it’s developing leaders, improving employee engagement, or driving strategic workforce planning, every initiative has a direct link to business outcomes.
“HR isn’t just about policies and processes. It’s about unlocking human potential to drive lasting business success, and that’s why I love it.”
Karen Lough, director of people at Ciphr, added: “There’s something incredibly powerful about how a single learning moment, a new skill, or a well-timed coaching conversation can shift someone’s perspective, boost their confidence, or even change the trajectory of their career. Knowing that what I do can help someone feel more capable, inspired, or supported in their role is what drives me every day.
“Whether it’s helping someone navigate a challenge, grow into a new role, or simply feel heard and valued, those small moments add up to something big. For me, that’s the most rewarding part of working in HR and learning and development.”
