Foundations of HR Operations

This course is part of HRCI Associate Professional in Human Resources-International Professional Certificate

Instructor: Michelle Alvarado

2,424 already enrolled

Included with

Learn more

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

4 modules

Gain insight into a topic and learn the fundamentals.

Beginner level

Recommended experience

3 weeks to complete

at 10 hours a week

Flexible schedule

Learn at your own pace

What you'll learn

Explain how Human Resources supports organizational strategy, core business functions, and overall operations
Describe how organizational culture, values, and ethics influence HR decisions and workplace practices
Identify legal, regulatory, and confidentiality requirements that guide HR operations and data management
Summarize how HR policies, systems, metrics, and workforce data support compliance and informed decision-making

Skills you'll gain

Tools you'll learn

Human Resources Information System (HRIS)

Details to know

Shareable certificate

Add to your LinkedIn profile

See how employees at top companies are mastering in-demand skills

Learn more about Coursera for Business

logos of Petrobras, TATA, Danone, Capgemini, P&G and L'Oreal

Build your Leadership and Management expertise

This course is part of the HRCI Associate Professional in Human Resources-International Professional Certificate

When you enroll in this course, you'll also be enrolled in this Professional Certificate.

Learn new concepts from industry experts
Gain a foundational understanding of a subject or tool
Develop job-relevant skills with hands-on projects
Earn a shareable career certificate from HRCI

There are 4 modules in this course

This course introduces the foundational concepts and responsibilities that support effective Human Resources operations. You will examine how HR contributes to an organization’s mission, strategy, and core business functions while promoting consistency, compliance, and ethical workplace practices. The course also explores how organizational culture, values, and ethics influence HR decisions and shape employee experiences.

The course covers how legal, regulatory, and confidentiality requirements guide HR operations and data management, and how HR policies, metrics, and basic workforce data support compliance and informed decision-making. It also introduces HR systems, digital tools, and professional communication practices that support day-to-day HR activities and efficient operations. By the end of this course, you will be able to: ● Explain how Human Resources supports organizational strategy and operations ● Describe how culture, values, and ethics influence HR practices ● Identify legal, regulatory, and confidentiality requirements in HR operations ● Summarize how HR policies, systems, and workforce data support compliance

In your first week, you will examine how Human Resources supports organizational goals, identify how culture influences HR decisions, and explain key legal and confidentiality requirements.

What's included

24 videos11 readings7 assignments

24 videosTotal 107 minutes

Introduction to HRCI aPHRI2 minutes
Course Overview: Foundations of HR Operations2 minutes
Introduction: HR’s Strategic Role and Business Alignment2 minutes
Organizational Strategy5 minutes
How HR Supports Organizational Strategy3 minutes
Tools and Methods HR Can Use for Strategic Planning6 minutes
Example: HR and Organizational Strategy4 minutes
An Organization's Culture5 minutes
Frameworks to Understand Organizational Culture9 minutes
Choosing a Model for an Organization5 minutes
Reporting Structures6 minutes
Choosing the Right Structure for an Organization5 minutes
Example: Organizational Culture4 minutes
Core Business Functions3 minutes
HR and Different Business Functions6 minutes
Restructuring an Organization8 minutes
Example: Connecting HR to Core Business Functions3 minutes
Understanding Regulatory and Legal Standards4 minutes
Legal Awareness in HR3 minutes
Example: Regulatory and Legal Standards4 minutes
Confidentiality and Privacy in an Organization5 minutes
Protecting Employee and Company Information5 minutes
Example: Confidentiality and Privacy in HR Practice4 minutes
Conclusion: HR’s Strategic Role and Business Alignment2 minutes

11 readingsTotal 115 minutes

Course Syllabus10 minutes
How to Be Successful in This Course10 minutes
Responsible Use of AI10 minutes
Summary Reading: HR and Organizational Strategy5 minutes
More Information on Organizational Culture Frameworks20 minutes
More Information on Reporting Structures10 minutes
Summary Reading: Organizational Culture10 minutes
More Information on Business Functions10 minutes
Summary Reading: Connecting HR to Core Business Functions10 minutes
Summary Reading: Regulatory and Legal Standards10 minutes
Summary Reading: Confidentiality and Privacy in HR Practice10 minutes

7 assignmentsTotal 185 minutes

Practice Quiz: HR and Organizational Strategy20 minutes
Practice Quiz: Organizational Culture20 minutes
Practice Quiz: Connecting HR to Core Business Functions25 minutes
Practice Quiz: Regulatory and Legal Standards20 minutes
Activity: Discuss HR Assistance Across Business Functions30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Confidentiality and Privacy in HR Practice20 minutes
Graded Quiz: HR’s Strategic Role and Business Alignment50 minutes

This week, you will describe key HR policies, define common HR metrics, and identify tools and techniques for collecting, analyzing, and presenting workforce data.

What's included

24 videos8 readings8 assignments

24 videosTotal 101 minutes

Introduction: HR Administration, Policies, and Metrics2 minutes
An Introduction to HR Administration4 minutes
HR Administration of People and Pay3 minutes
HR Administration of Policies and Performance4 minutes
Example: HR Administration3 minutes
Policies and Procedures from HR3 minutes
Communicating HR Policies and Procedures6 minutes
Example: HR Policies and Procedures4 minutes
The Basics of HR Metrics4 minutes
HR Metrics and Decision-Making6 minutes
Example: Using HR Metrics to Guide Decisions3 minutes
Gathering Useful HR Data3 minutes
Methods for Gathering Data6 minutes
Choosing the Right Data Collection Method7 minutes
Example: Gathering HR Data3 minutes
Using Gathered HR Data5 minutes
Compiling HR Data for Analysis3 minutes
Analyzing HR Data5 minutes
HR Data Analytics in Action5 minutes
Example: Organizing and Analyzing HR Data3 minutes
The Basics of Reporting HR Insights4 minutes
Reporting and Presenting Insights10 minutes
Example: Reporting HR Insights to Stakeholders3 minutes
Conclusion: HR Administration, Policies, and Metrics2 minutes

8 readingsTotal 50 minutes

Summary Reading: HR Administration5 minutes
Summary Reading: HR Policies and Procedures5 minutes
Summary Reading: Using HR Metrics to Guide Decisions5 minutes
More Information on Data Collection Methods10 minutes
Summary Reading: Gathering HR Data5 minutes
Summary Reading: Organizing and Analyzing HR Data5 minutes
Data Visualization Charts5 minutes
Summary Reading: Reporting HR Insights to Stakeholders10 minutes

8 assignmentsTotal 200 minutes

Practice Quiz: HR Administration20 minutes
Practice Quiz: HR Policies and Procedures20 minutes
Practice Quiz: Using HR Metrics to Guide Decisions20 minutes
Practice Quiz: Gathering HR Data20 minutes
Practice Quiz: Organizing and Analyzing HR Data20 minutes
Activity: Create Questions for an HR Survey30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Reporting HR Insights to Stakeholders20 minutes
Graded Quiz: HR Administration, Policies, and Metrics50 minutes

For this week, you will identify key HRIS functions, summarize file management and confidentiality practices, and describe how digital tools support HR reporting, communication, and efficiency.

What's included

19 videos6 readings8 assignments

19 videosTotal 100 minutes

Introduction: HR Information Systems and Reporting2 minutes
An Introduction to HRIS Platforms4 minutes
Using HRIS Platforms6 minutes
Understanding HR Forms and Documents9 minutes
Maintaining and Filing HR Forms8 minutes
Using HR Forms for Communication4 minutes
Example: Managing HR Forms and Documents4 minutes
Record-Keeping with an HRIS6 minutes
Employee Data Management7 minutes
Workforce Reporting7 minutes
Benefits of Workforce Reporting6 minutes
Example: Workforce Reporting Requirements4 minutes
Understanding Data Protection and Employee Privacy6 minutes
HR's Role in Protecting Data and Ensuring Privacy7 minutes
Example: Protecting Data and Ensuring Privacy4 minutes
Technology and HR Operations4 minutes
Using HR Technologies8 minutes
Example: Leveraging Technology to Improve HR Operations4 minutes
Conclusion: HR Information Systems and Reporting2 minutes

6 readingsTotal 60 minutes

Summary Reading: HRIS Platforms10 minutes
Summary Reading: Managing HR Forms and Documents10 minutes
Summary Reading: Maintaining Employee Records10 minutes
Summary Reading: Workforce Reporting Requirements10 minutes
Summary Reading: Protecting Data and Ensuring Privacy10 minutes
Summary Reading: Leveraging Technology to Improve HR Operations10 minutes

8 assignmentsTotal 195 minutes

Practice Quiz: HRIS Platforms20 minutes
Practice Quiz: Managing HR Forms and Documents20 minutes
Practice Quiz: Maintaining Employee Records20 minutes
Practice Quiz: Workforce Reporting Requirements15 minutes
Practice Quiz: Protecting Data and Ensuring Privacy20 minutes
Activity: Outline a Data Privacy Policy30 minutes
Practice Quiz: Leveraging Technology to Improve HR Operations20 minutes
Graded Quiz: HR Information Systems and Reporting50 minutes

In this week, you will identify effective HR communication techniques, explain vendor management guidelines, differentiate communication styles, and define ethical decision-making in HR.

What's included

16 videos5 readings8 assignments

16 videosTotal 70 minutes

Introduction: Communication, Culture, and External Partnerships2 minutes
The Basics of HR Communication5 minutes
Effective HR Communication6 minutes
Internal Customer Service6 minutes
Example: Communicating HR Information Clearly4 minutes
External HR Service Providers4 minutes
Finding and Managing Providers7 minutes
Example: Coordinating with External HR Service Providers4 minutes
Cross-Cultural Communication in Practice4 minutes
Example: Navigating Cross-Cultural HR Communication3 minutes
Culture in Action8 minutes
Communicating Culture7 minutes
Example: Reinforcing Organizational Values Through HR4 minutes
Defining Ethical Guidelines3 minutes
Conclusion: Communication, Culture, and External Partnerships2 minutes
Course Conclusion: Foundations of HR Operations2 minutes

5 readingsTotal 45 minutes

Summary Reading: Communicating HR Information Clearly10 minutes
Summary Reading: Coordinating with External HR Service Providers10 minutes
Summary Reading: Navigating Cross-Cultural HR Communication10 minutes
Summary Reading: Reinforcing Organizational Values Through HR10 minutes
Summary Reading: Promoting Ethical Practices Across Teams5 minutes

8 assignmentsTotal 320 minutes

Practice Quiz: Communicating HR Information Clearly20 minutes
Practice Quiz: Coordinating with External HR Service Providers20 minutes
Practice Quiz: Navigating Cross-Cultural HR Communication15 minutes
Practice Quiz: Reinforcing Organizational Values Through HR20 minutes
Practice Quiz: Promoting Ethical Practices Across Teams15 minutes
Activity: Create Messaging About an HR Policy30 minutes
Graded Quiz: Communication, Culture, and External Partnerships50 minutes
Course Exam: Foundations of HR Operations150 minutes

Earn a career certificate

Add this credential to your LinkedIn profile, resume, or CV. Share it on social media and in your performance review.

Instructor

Michelle Alvarado

HRCI

6 Courses186,865 learners

Offered by

HRCI

Explore more from Leadership and Management

Status: Free Trial
EDUCBA
Human Resource Management and Job Analysis
Course
Status: Free Trial
University of Michigan
Human Capital: Foundations and Essentials
Course
Status: Free Trial
EDUCBA
Human Resource Management and Global HR Practices
Course
Status: Preview
EDUCBA
Understand Human Resource Management Fundamentals
Course

Why people choose Coursera for their career

Felipe M.

Learner since 2018

"To be able to take courses at my own pace and rhythm has been an amazing experience. I can learn whenever it fits my schedule and mood."

Jennifer J.

Learner since 2020

"I directly applied the concepts and skills I learned from my courses to an exciting new project at work."

Larry W.

Learner since 2021

"When I need courses on topics that my university doesn't offer, Coursera is one of the best places to go."

Chaitanya A.

"Learning isn't just about being better at your job: it's so much more than that. Coursera allows me to learn without limits."

Frequently asked questions

To access the course materials, assignments and to earn a Certificate, you will need to purchase the Certificate experience when you enroll in a course. You can try a Free Trial instead, or apply for Financial Aid. The course may offer 'Full Course, No Certificate' instead. This option lets you see all course materials, submit required assessments, and get a final grade. This also means that you will not be able to purchase a Certificate experience.

When you enroll in the course, you get access to all of the courses in the Certificate, and you earn a certificate when you complete the work. Your electronic Certificate will be added to your Accomplishments page - from there, you can print your Certificate or add it to your LinkedIn profile.