Articles

We may safely say that in the recent past, no other area of an organization has changed so much as human resource management. Until recently, companies and organizations had a department or division for personnel or labor relations or industrial relations. Its functions normally centered around ensuring smooth production and operations, discouraging strikes and labor activism, appraisal and compensation issues and complying with the government's mandates and rules.

The improvements and changes in the industry and economy besides increased awareness of employees as a valuable resource has changed the focus from controlling to managing this resource. An organization's most valuable asset now is its people and not capital, machinery or technology. People are emotional, ever changing and susceptible to ups and downs and as such managing this dynamic resource needs a set of both hard and soft analytical skills.

Various activities find a place in human resource management, such as recruiting the right kind of employees, training them to enhance themselves and enrich the organization at the same time, keep them motivated and enthusiastic and encourage high performance. Other areas include hrm and psychology, benefits and compensation, equal opportunity to minorities, women and physically challenged, and compliance with regulations.

A figure which has come to play an increasingly important role in an organization's success is the human resource manager. He has the complex task of searching for and recruiting people having not only the qualifications required by the organization but also the right attitude and emotional balance. He has to then use hrm and psychology to ensure that they all work towards the same direction set by the organization and at the same time, not just creativity and individuality.

A system to invite suggestions and complaints and to implement/address them quickly and effectively are some of the basic features that an effective human resource management possesses. Other features of a good human resource management are a responsive appraisal system that includes provision of counseling to each employee in his or her career and personality development and a genuine feedback mechanism.

Organizations of all sizes, from giant corporations through to small businesses and non-profit groups, needs to look after its staff if it is to expand and be successful. High performers need to be identified and looked after, and trained to fulfill leadership roles. However, average performers also should be given every chance to improve their effectiveness and productivity. Well thought out human resource management is necessary if you want to achieve these goals - it should aim to keep staff happy, because happy workers are more productive.