HR Professional Day 2025: 10 Reasons to Thank Your HR Team

Quick look: Happy Human Resource Professional Day! Each year on September 26, we celebrate the dedicated HR teams who keep organizations running smoothly, support employees, and make work a little bit better for everyone. Learn more about the origins of this special day, explore 10 key ways HR adds value every day, and discover how outsourcing HR can ease the workload for small businesses and internal teams.

Every September 26, organizations around the world pause to recognize and give a well-deserved shout out to the hardworking HR professionals who guide, support, and empower employees. Human Resource Professional Day honors the teams that juggle countless responsibilities, build thriving cultures, and help companies adapt to change, all while keeping employees supported, engaged, and empowered.

In this post, we explore the history of HR Professional Day, highlight 10 key functions HR departments perform that deserve applause year-round, and explain how outsourcing through a professional employer organization (PEO) can help internal teams work more efficiently and strategically.

The origin of HR Professional Day

HR Professional Day began in 2013, when Jamaica’s Governor-General Sir Patrick Allen proposed a day to honor those who drive organizational success by developing people and talent. Five years later, Governor-General Hon Steadman Alvin Ridout Fuller officially declared it a holiday, shining an international spotlight on HR’s role in building successful organizations.

10 reasons to appreciate your HR team

HR departments are the backbone of every business. They manage everything from compliance to career growth, all to help people and companies flourish. Here are ten ways they add value every day:

1. People management

HR departments oversee nearly every aspect of an organization related to its people, including:

• Recruiting
• Performance management
• Compensation planning
• Employee benefits
• Compliance
• And more

These professionals ensure that employees have the tools, resources, and opportunities to excel, strengthening a company’s bottom line and edge over competitors.

2. Employee benefit administration and analysis

Competitive benefits are key to attracting and retaining talent. HR specialists design compelling benefits packages that can attract and excite candidates, ultimately reducing turnover costs and growing institutional knowledge.

Additionally, these experts administer benefits programs, track market trends, and guide employees through enrollment options.

3. Recruiting and onboarding

People are at the heart of every organization, and recruiting specialists ensure businesses hires the right ones. From screening resumes to onboarding new employees, recruiters evaluate and welcome new talent, helping position their company as an employer of choice.

4. Corporate culture and employee engagement

A healthy workplace culture is integral to job satisfaction, morale, and overall productivity. But culture goes far beyond perks like free snacks in the kitchen or companywide events and parties. HR plays a central role in shaping how teams collaborate, how leaders respond to feedback, and how employees feel recognized and valued, boosting morale and productivity.

5. Compensation planning

HR compensation specialists develop and manage pay structures that keep their salaries competitive with those offered by other organizations in the same industry and region. Key responsibilities include:

• Conducting salary research and benchmarking
• Monitoring inflation trends
• Adjusting compensation rates according to roles and skills
• Ensuring compliance with all state and federal compensation laws, including minimum wage, equal pay, overtime, and pay transparency

6. Training and development

According to the University of Phoenix’s 2025 Career Optimism Index®, employees are 38% more motivated when their job provides them with career development opportunities.

To drive this engagement, HR professionals develop internal development plans, such as mentorship and reskilling/upskilling programs, enabling staff to enhance their skills, build on their strengths, and address areas for improvement.

HR teams can also counsel employees about internal career paths, coach managers and department heads to become more effective leaders, and manage companywide training to remain compliant with required employment regulations.

7. Risk management and compliance

In today’s business environment, proactively maintaining compliance is crucial. HR professionals specializing in risk management and compliance help organizations minimize exposure and liability related to employment practices, potentially reducing costs and decreasing the likelihood of accidents, lawsuits, and fines.

They also oversee adherence to state, local, and federal rules, ensure compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) standards, create workplace safety programs, and more.

8. Conflict resolution

Every organization experiences conflict from time to time. HR teams support navigating disagreements or challenges with colleagues or leadership, serving as both coaches and neutral mediators. With workplaces including a diverse range of personalities, backgrounds, and perspectives, HR specialists are skilled at managing employee relations to encourage constructive, collaborative relationships.

9. Technology adoption

Technology supports many core HR responsibilities, from performance management to benefits enrollment. HR leaders with strong tech expertise implement and optimize digital systems for dispersed workforces, adopt tools that support employee well-being, utilize learning and development platforms, and leverage comprehensive HRIS systems all to simplify processes, increase efficiency, and enhance employee engagement.

10. Support of company growth

Perhaps most importantly, HR professionals are strong business partners who support company growth and workforce planning. They identify high performers ready to take on expanded roles as the company grows, help managers build strong leadership skills, create policies to enhance the employee experience, deliver impactful professional development, support workplace wellness, and more.

Today and every day, we recognize and appreciate HR professionals! Your skills are vital to your organization’s success and competitiveness in today’s complex marketplace.

Addressing HR burnout

With such a wide range of responsibilities, it’s no surprise that HR professionals often feel overextended.

Recent studies show that over half of HR workers have experienced burnout in the past three years. Additionally, 40% say administrative tasks feel overwhelming. This stress can lead to high turnover within HR roles and hinder the organization’s success.

Easing the burden with HR outsourcing

Showing appreciation on HR Professional Day is meaningful, but ongoing HR support is essential. A PEO partnership can relieve pressure, as their experts handle payroll, benefits, recruiting, risk management, and more. Many small and midsized businesses (SMBs) use PEO services to streamline HR tasks and stay competitive.

By outsourcing routine administration, your HR team can focus on strategic initiatives and employee engagement. For example, ExtensisHR’s Employee Solution Center provides rapid-response assistance, answering calls within 15 seconds and chats within 30, giving HR teams extra breathing room. Plus, ExtensisHR adopts a three-layer approach to HR team support, with each customer receiving a dedicated Account Manager, HR Business Partner, and Payroll Specialist.

Whether it’s a heartfelt “thank you” or providing additional support through outsourced resources, recognizing HR teams is crucial. Their expertise drives workplace culture, employee satisfaction, and business growth, making them invaluable every single day.

Could your HR team use an extra set of hands? Explore ExtensisHR’s PEO solution or contact us today to start a conversation.