Understanding the HR Assistant role
The HR Assistant is a key player in the HR department. Ensures administrative personnel follow-up, participates in the recruitment process and contributes to daily employee lifecycle management.
Versatile and meticulous, the HR Assistant is often employees' first contact for administrative queries. Manages employment contracts, social declarations, absence and leave tracking, and participates in payroll preparation. In SMEs, role is particularly strategic as it covers broad HR spectrum.
Key responsibilities
Personnel administration
Draft employment contracts and amendments. Manage hiring and exit formalities (pre-employment declarations, attestations). Maintain individual employee files and personnel register.
Time and payroll tracking
Collect and verify variable payroll elements (overtime, bonuses, absences). Manage paid leave and time off via HR system. Prepare payslips with accounting or external provider.
Recruitment participation
Post job openings on job boards. Screen applications and conduct initial phone screenings. Organise interviews and manage candidate follow-up. Prepare new employee onboarding.
Training and development
Identify training needs. Organise training sessions and manage registrations. Track skills development plans and associated budgets.
Employee relations and internal communication
Prepare works council meetings. Contribute to internal communications. Update HR dashboards and social indicators.
Required skills
Technical skills vs Soft skills
| Technical skills | Soft skills |
|---|---|
| Employment law knowledge | Rigour and organisation |
| HR systems (Lucca, PayFit, SAP HR) | Discretion and confidentiality |
| Payroll and social declarations | Interpersonal skills |
| Advanced Office and Excel | Versatility and adaptability |
| Collective bargaining knowledge | Teamwork |
| Administrative documentation writing | Responsiveness and priority management |