Have you ever asked yourself, what is human resource management? Besides hiring and firing employees, HR has many other responsibilities. It helps execute strategy, fosters employee growth, and measures employee engagement.
Focuses On Employee Growth
Employee growth is one of the critical elements of human resource management. HR professionals aim to motivate employees to participate in employee development activities. Developing employees’ skills and knowledge makes them indispensable resources for the business. In addition, employees who grow and learn are more productive than those who do not. Therefore, it is essential to recognize and reward employees who participate in training programs. The rewards for such efforts should be tangible, such as a certificate of participation.
Changing employee habits, skills, and attitudes takes time and effort. Long-term plans are necessary for success. A lack of planning can prove disastrous. The personnel function is the single most critical corporate asset and must be managed accordingly. Without a long-term strategy, it can merely react to transient pressures.
The goal of HR is to develop and nurture employees for growth and career advancement. It also ensures the alignment of employees with business objectives. To achieve this, it is the responsibility of HR to identify training requirements and initiate employee development programs.
Facilitates Strategy Execution
Strategy implementation is essential to an organization’s culture, and human resource management plays a pivotal role. To be effective, strategy execution must be supported by the right people, who must be trained and motivated. HR plays a crucial role in this process by overseeing competency development and incentive programs. It also works closely with the Office of Strategic Management (OSM) to ensure that the HR function’s activities align with the company’s overall strategy.
The first step in creating a strategic HR plan is to conduct an organizational assessment. This will help identify strengths and weaknesses and short-term and long-term growth opportunities. The next step is to identify challenges that may arise in the execution of the strategy. A SWOT analysis can help with this process.
Another hurdle to strategy execution is the status quo approach. A company’s senior management team might not buy into a new approach, or there may be unresolved leadership conflicts. Other barriers include the company’s time constraints, which can be natural or perceived. The company may face external pressures, such as economic conditions and legislative changes. Moreover, labor unions may resist change.
Measures Employee Engagement
In times of uncertainty, monitoring and tracking employee engagement metrics is crucial. These metrics offer insight into employees’ satisfaction and overall company performance. Employee engagement levels can also reflect the resilience of an organization. If employees feel their jobs are meaningful and valued by their employer, they will likely stay longer in their current positions. Conversely, employees will likely leave the organization if their engagement level is low.
The first measure of employee engagement is the number of passion employees has for their jobs. This can be measured by measuring satisfaction levels related to a company’s goals, services, and culture. While employee satisfaction focuses on contentment, engagement levels address employee involvement, motivation, and emotional commitment. Some employees may only be interested in the paycheck and are therefore disengaged. Therefore, improving employee satisfaction levels does not guarantee improved performance.
Another way to measure employee engagement is through employee surveys. These surveys should include 50 to 80 questions. The survey should be designed to be objective and unbiased. It should also include measurable data that can be independently verified. Finally, the results of the survey should be accompanied by action plans.
Complex Role
Human resource management (HRM) is complex, and its role is not limited to hiring and firing. It also involves developing recruiting strategies, which include targeting qualified applicants and encouraging them to apply. In addition, many legal considerations protect employees equally based on gender, race, age, and other factors.
The HR function is crucial for organizations, as turnover is expensive and can result in a lack of productivity. Even organizations with the best retention plans experience some turnover. Performance-based compensation is also an essential factor in motivating and retaining employees.
If you want to improve your HR skills and learn about the latest trends, there are plenty of organizations and conferences for HR professionals. It provides educational programs, conferences, and webcasts. For more advanced training, you can take professional certification courses. These certifications can increase your earning potential and advance your career.