HRM Notes
HRM Notes
Nature
Human Resource Management is a process of bringing people and organizations together so that
the goals of each are met. The various features of HRM include:
•It tries to put people on assigned jobs in order to produce good results.
•It helps an organization meet its goals in the future by providing for competent and well-
motivated employees.
• It tries to build and maintain cordial relations between people working at various levels in the
organization.
2. Welfare aspect-It deals with working conditions and amenities such as canteens, crèches, rest
and lunch rooms, housing, transport, medical assistance, education, health and safety, recreation
facilities, etc.
4) Wide Scope -The scope of human resource management is very wide. It includes a broad
spectrum of activities like recruitment, selection, placement, training, transfer, promotion,
appraisal and compensation of employees.
• To ensure respect for human beings. To identify and satisfy the needs of individuals.
2. Organizational Structure
Organizational structure defines the working relationship between employees and management.
It defines and assigns the task for each employee working in the organization. The task is to be
performed within the given constraints. It also defines positions, rights and duties, accountability
and responsibility, and other working relationships. The human resource management system
provides required information to timely and accurately. Hence, human resource management
helps to maintain organizational structure.
5. Goal Harmony
Human resource management bridges the gap between individual goal and organizational goal-
thereby resulting into a good harmony. If goal difference occurs, the employees will not be
willing to perform well. Hence, a proper match between individual goal and organizational goal
should be there in order to utilize organizational resources effectively and efficiently.
6. Employee Satisfaction
Human resource management provides a series of facilities and opportunities to employees for
their career development. This leads to job satisfaction and commitment. When the employees
are provided with every kind of facilities and opportunities, they will be satisfied with their work
performance.
8. Organizational Productivity
Human resource management focuses on achieving higher production and most effective
utilization of available resources. This leads to an enhancement in organizational goals and
objectives.
Evolution:
Human Resource management is considered as one of the crucial task of any organization in
today’s competitive environment. But the history about how this concept of HRM is evolved or
gained its importance is very interesting. Let us discuss the evolution of HRM here.
In starting of 19th century there was a boom in industrialization which influences the need of
personal management. But there was no separate department to take care of labour problems
except welfare officers that too who care about women & children only.
1914-39
During the 1st world was there was a expected growth for Personnel Management. The welfare
officers were increased. During this period the women were recruited in large numbers as most
of the men were joint the militaries
The first phase of labour management came in 1920 in factories to handle absenteeism etc
In mid of 1920’s to 1930’s there were employer who care their employees well being by
themselves e.g. Tata steel in Jamshedpur.
In between 2nd world war the personnel management faced an improving stage because the
government has to produce large war material then personnel department worked in full time
basis.
After independence the Role of Personnel management becomes inevitable in Industries it played
functions like Collective Bargaining, Industrial Relations, and HR Policies etc
4. Trade unions.
5. Concepts in management
6. Change in economy
In 1990 government of various countries liberalized their policy due to which the human started
moving from one nation to another. So the need for HRM evolved as cross culture took place.
Due to this the recruitment becomes more specific were in selection is based on talent regardless
of nationality.
Apart from this it could be said that HRM had to cross various phases before reaching to this
responsible position like Industrial Revolution Era – Scientific Management Era – Paternalistic
Era – Industrial Psychology Era –Human Relations Era – Behavioural Science Era –Personnel
Specialists Era –Welfare Era etc.
There are many people in the field of management who were contributed to the development of
HRM by the various researches conducted by them or theory proposed by them to name few FW
Taylor, Robert Owen , Hugo Munsterberg , Maslow, Herzberg, Elton Mayo etc.
HRM Policies
Human resource management policies are vital for organizations that are serious about resolving
personnel issues and finding hr solutions. HRM policies are intended to help maximize the
effectiveness of your Human Resources function.
• HR should ensure that HRM policy you have consistent, well-written & legal policies and
procedures.
• HRM policy should provide hr advices for the organizations needing help with specific HR-
related issues
• Individuals and organizations who are serious about human resources should understand the
bottom-line importance of job evaluation, job descriptions and effective policies.
Challenges of HRM
1. Workplace diversity. This may consist of issues involving age, education, ethnicity, gender,
income, marital status, physical limitations, religion, sexual orientation, or any number of other
things. Understanding the challenges that may be faced by the interaction of any of these diverse
groups, as well as the required openness of the company toward such groups, will help HR
personnel provide assistance in training employees to work with those they may consider
“different,” accept that such workers may be present in the business, and agree to treat each other
respectfully, even if they never come to agree with each other over various issues.
2. Change management. This is another challenge that more and more HR departments are
facing. Being able to deal with their own changing roles in corporate society, in addition to the
changes to other jobs, the overlapping responsibilities, and more. Understanding that change is
required is the first step toward accepting the change.
3. Compensation and benefits. With a slow economy and tightening corporate purse-strings,
the issue of compensation and employee benefits is one that almost every business must deal
with. The key is to present mandatory changes in such a way that employees can accept, if not
necessarily agree with them while providing non-monetary morale boosting incentives whenever
possible to make the changes less traumatic.
4. Recruiting skilled employees. In an era of rising unemployment, it would seem that finding
qualified workers would be easier than ever. But that’s seldom the case. Many industries are
facing dire needs for employees with acceptable skills and the required training or degree. This
applies not only to health care, but also to technology and other fields as well, causing many
employers to search outside their local marketplace for workers who can do the jobs they need
filled.
5. Training and development. This is another challenge that HR managers and personnel must
deal with more frequently. With the need to cut training costs, training itself often suffers. Yet
the skills an employee needs must still be taught. Many companies are meeting this challenge by
providing eLearning opportunities that allow employees to receive the training they need without
the expenses associated with travel, on-site trainers, hours away from their jobs and high-priced
materials.
These are only a few of the many challenges an HR department must be prepared to deal with.
Knowing in advance what type situation might arise will help you to be better equipped in the
event that it does. After all, it’s always best to hope for the best, but to be prepared for the worst.
Just in case.
5. PM is reactive, responding to demands as and when they arise. HRM is proactive, anticipating,
planning and advancing continuously.
6. PM is the exclusive responsibility of the personnel department. HRM is a concern for all
managers in the organization and aims at developing the capabilities of all line managers to carry
out the human resource related functions.
7. The scope of PM is relatively narrow with a focus on administering people. The scope of
HRM views the organization as a whole and lays emphasis on building a dynamic culture.
9. Important motivators in PM are compensation, rewards, job simplification and so on. HRM
considers work groups, challenges and creativity on the job as motivators.
10. In PM improved satisfaction is considered to be the cause for improved performance but in
HRM it is the other way round (performance is the cause and satisfaction is the result).
11. In PM, employee is treated as an economic unit as his services are exchanged for
wages/salary. Employee in HRM is treated not only as economic unit but also a social and
psychological entity.
12. PM treats employee as a commodity or a tool or like equipment that can be bought and used.
Employee is treated as a resource and as a human being.
Traditional HRM vs. Strategic HRM
Business today doesn’t have national boundaries – it reaches around the world. The rise of
multinational corporations places new requirements on human resource managers. The HR
department needs to ensure that the appropriate mix of employees in terms of knowledge, skills
and cultural adaptability is available to handle global assignments. In order to meet this goal, the
organizations must train individuals to meet the challenges of globalization. The employees must
have working knowledge of the language and culture (in terms of values, morals, customs and
laws) of the host country.
Human Resource Management (HRM) must also develop mechanisms that will help
multicultural individuals work together. As background, language, custom or age differences
become more prevalent, there are indications that employee conflict will increase. HRM would
be required to train management to be more flexible in its practices. Because tomorrow’s
workers will come in different colors, nationalities and so on, managers will be required to
change their ways. This will necessitate managers being trained to recognize differences in
workers and to appreciate and even celebrate these differences.
2. Work-force Diversity
In the past HRM was considerably simpler because our work force was strikingly homogeneous.
Today’s work force comprises of people of different gender, age, social class sexual orientation,
values, personality characteristics, ethnicity, religion, education, language, physical appearance,
martial status, lifestyle, beliefs, ideologies and background characteristics such as geographic
origin, tenure with the organization, and economic status and the list could go on. Diversity is
critically linked to the organization’s strategic direction. Where diversity flourishes, the potential
benefits from better creativity and decision making and greater innovation can be accrued to help
increase organization’s competitiveness.
3. Changing skill requirements
Recruiting and developing skilled labor is important for any company concerned about
competitiveness, productivity, quality and managing a diverse work force effectively. Skill
deficiencies translate into significant losses for the organization in terms of poor-quality work
and lower productivity, increase in employee accidents and customer complaints. Since a
growing number of jobs will require more education and higher levels of language than current
ones, HRM practitioners and specialists will have to communicate this to educators and
community leaders etc. Strategic human resource planning will have to carefully weigh the skill
deficiencies and shortages. HRM department will have to devise suitable training and short term
programmes to bridge the skill gaps & deficiencies.
4. Corporate downsizing
Whenever an organization attempts to delayer, it is attempting to create greater efficiency. The
premise of downsizing is to reduce the number of workers employed by the organization. HRM
department has a very important role to play in downsizing. HRM people must ensure that proper
communication must take place during this time. They must minimize the negative effects of
rumors and ensure that individuals are kept informed with factual data. HRM must also deal with
actual layoff. HRM dept is key to the downsizing discussions that have to take place.
8. Contingent workforce
A very substantial part of the modern day workforce are the contingent workers. Contingent
workers are individuals who are typically hired for shorter periods of time. They perform
specific tasks that often require special job skills and are employed when an organization is
experiencing significant deviations in its workflow. When an organization makes its strategic
decision to employ a sizable portion of its workforce from the contingency ranks, several HRM
issues come to the forefront. These include being able to have these virtual employees available
when needed, providing scheduling options that meet their needs and making decisions about
whether or not benefits will be offered to the contingent work force.
Decentralized work sites also offer opportunities that may meet the needs of the diversified
workforce. Those who have family responsibilities like child care, or those who have disabilities
may prefer to work in their homes rather than travel to the organization’s facility. For HRM,
decentralized work sites present a challenge. Much of that challenge revolves around training
managers in how to establish and ensure appropriate work quality and on-time completion. Work
at home may also require HRM to rethink its compensation policy. Will it pay by the hour, on a
salary basis, or by the job performed. Also, because employees in decentralized work sites are
full time employees of the organization as opposed to contingent workers, it will be
organization’s responsibility to ensure health and safety of the decentralized work force.
Human Resource Planning: HR planning refers to classic HR administrative functions, and the
evaluation and identification of human resources requirements for meeting organizational goals.
It also requires an assessment of the availability of the qualified resources that will be needed. To
ensure their competitive advantage in the marketplace and anticipate staffing needs,
organizations must implement innovative strategies that are designed to enhance their employee
retention rate and recruit fresh talent into their companies. Human resources planning is one way
to help a company develop strategies and predict company needs in order to keep their
competitive edge.
Definition:
A job analysis is the process used to collect information about the duties, responsibilities,
necessary skills, outcomes, and work environment of a particular job. You need as much data as
possible to put together a job description, which is the frequent outcome of the job analysis.
Additional outcomes include recruiting plans, position postings and advertisements, and
performance development planning within your performance management system.
Name of Company
Main Product(s) and/or Service(s)
Location
Number of Employees
Company Structure
Names of Officers
Hours of Work
Job Analysis
Job analysis is the systematic assembly of all the facts about a job. The purpose is to study the
individual elements and duties. All information related to the salary and benefits, working hours
and conditions, typical tasks and responsibilities are required for the job analysis. The results of
job analysis are job description and job specification. Is the systematic assembly of all the facts
about a job. The purpose is to study the individual elements and duties. All information related to
the salary and benefits, working hours and conditions, typical tasks and responsibilities are
required for the job analysis. The results of job analysis are job description and job specification.
Job Description
Job description is a written statement that defines the duties, relationships and results expected of
anyone in the job. It is an overall view of what is to be done in the job. Typically it includes is a
written statement that defines the duties, relationships and results expected of anyone in the job.
It is an overall view of what is to be done in the job. Typically it includes
Job Title
Date
Title of immediate supervisor
Statement of the Purpose of the Job
Primary Responsibilities
List of Typical Duties and Responsibilities
General Information related to the job
Training requirements
Tool use
Transportation
Signature of the person who has prepared the job description
Job Specification
Job Specification is an analysis of the kind of person it takes to do the job, that is to say, it lists
the qualifications. Normally, this would include is an analysis of the kind of person it takes to do
the job, that is to say, it lists the qualifications. Typically this would include
Degree of education
Desirable amount of previous experience in similar work
Specific Skills required
Health Considerations
The recruitment and selection is the major function of the human resource department and
recruitment process is the first step towards creating the competitive strength and the strategic
advantage for the organizations. Recruitment process involves a systematic procedure from
sourcing the candidates to arranging and conducting the interviews and requires many resources
and time.
Job design (also referred to as work design or task design) is the specification of contents,
methods and relationship of jobs in order to satisfy technological and organizational
requirements as well as the social and personal requirements of the job holder.
Job design means to decide the contents of a job. It fixes the duties and responsibilities of the
job, the methods of doing the job and the relationships between the job holder (manager) and his
superiors, subordinates and colleagues
Job Simplification
Job simplification is a design method whereby jobs are divided into smaller components and
subsequently assigned to workers as whole jobs.
Simplification of work requires that jobs be broken down into their smallest units and then
analyzed. Each resulting sub-unit typically consists of relatively few operations. These subunits
are then assigned to the workers as their total job.
There appears to be two major advantages in using job simplification. First, since the job
requires very little training, they can be completed by less costly unskilled labour. Second, job
speed increases because each worker is performing only a small portion of the previously large
job and thus is able to master a smaller, less complicated job unit.
On the negative side, job simplification results in workers experiencing boredom, frustration,
alienation, lack of motivation and low job satisfaction. This, in turn, leads to lower productivity
and increased cost.
Job Enlargement
Job enlargement expands job horizontally. It increases job scope; that is, it increases the number
of different operations required in a job and the frequency with which the job cycle is repeated.
By increasing the number of tasks an individual performs, job enlargement, increases the job
scope, or job diversity. Instead of only sorting the incoming mail by department, for instance, a
mail sorter's job could be enlarged to include physically delivering the mail to the various
departments or running outgoing letters through the postage meter.
Efforts at job enlargement have met with less than enthusiastic results. As one employee who
experienced such a redesign on his job remarked, “ Before I had one lousy job. Now, through
enlargement, I have three!”. So while job enlargement attacks the lack of diversity in
overspecialized jobs, it has done little to provide challenge or meaningfulness to a workers'
activities.
Job Rotation
Job rotation refers to the movement of an employee from one job to another. Jobs themselves are
not actually changed, only the employees are rotated among various jobs. An employee who
works on a routine job moves to work on another job for some hours/days/months and returns
back to the first job. This measure relieves the employee from the boredom and monotony,
improves the employee's skills regarding various jobs and prepares worker's self-image and
provides personal growth. However, frequent job rotations are not advisable in view of their
negative impact on the organization and the employee.
Job Enrichment
1. Greater responsibility,
2. Greater autonomy,
3. More immediate feedback to the individual or group. This might include transferring
some of the superior's activities to subordinates.
Horizontal job loading might be applied by having workers perform some of the steps that
precedes and follow them in the work flow. A single operator might fit on all four fenders, be
responsible for the car's entire front end, or do both rough and finished painting.
The recruitment process begins with the human resource department receiving requisitions for
recruitment from any department of the company. These contain:
Posts to be filled
• Number of persons
• Duties to be performed
• Qualifications required
Preparing the job description and person specification.
Locating and developing the sources of required number and type of employees
.
SOURCES OF RECRUITMENT
Employee Selection is the process of putting right men on right job. It is a procedure of matching
organizational requirements with the skills and qualifications of people. Effective selection can
be done only when there is effective matching. By selecting best candidate for the required job,
the organization will get quality performance of employees. Moreover, organization will face
less of absenteeism and employee turnover problems. By selecting right candidate for the
required job, organization will also save time and money. Proper screening of candidates takes
place during selection procedure. All the potential candidates who apply for the given job are
tested.
Preliminary Interviews- It is used to eliminate those candidates who do not meet the minimum
eligiblity criteria laid down by the organization. The skills, academic and family background,
competencies and interests of the candidate are examined during preliminary interview.
Preliminary interviews are less formalized and planned than the final interviews. The candidates
are given a brief up about the company and the job profile; and it is also examined how much the
candidate knows about the company. Preliminary interviews are also called screening interviews.
Application blanks- The candidates who clear the preliminary interview are required to fill
application blank. It contains data record of the candidates such as details about age,
qualifications, reason for leaving previous job, experience, etc.
Written Tests- Various written tests conducted during selection procedure are aptitude test,
intelligence test, reasoning test, personality test, etc. These tests are used to objectively assess the
potential candidate. They should not be biased.
Employment Interviews- It is a one to one interaction between the interviewer and the potential
candidate. It is used to find whether the candidate is best suited for the required job or not. But
such interviews consume time and money both. Moreover the competencies of the candidate
cannot be judged. Such interviews may be biased at times. Such interviews should be conducted
properly. No distractions should be there in room. There should be an honest communication
between candidate and interviewer.
Medical examination- Medical tests are conducted to ensure physical fitness of the potential
employee. It will decrease chances of employee absenteeism.
Appointment Letter- A reference check is made about the candidate selected and then finally he
is appointed by giving a formal appointment letter.
Selection: Tests
Personality Tests: Selection procedures measure the personality characteristics of applicants that
are related to future job performance. Personality tests typically measure one or more of five
personality dimensions: extroversion, emotional stability, agreeableness, conscientiousness, and
openness to experience.
Advantages
• It can result in lower turnover due if applicants are selected for traits that are highly
correlated with employees who have high longevity within the organization
• It can identify interpersonal traits that may be needed for certain jobs
Disadvantages
• There is difficult to measure personality traits that may not be well defined
• The applicant's training and experience may have greater impact on job performance than
applicant's personality
• The responses by applicant may may be altered by applicant's desire to respond in a way
they feel would result in their selection
• There is lack of diversity if all selected applicants have same personality traits
• The cost may be prohibitive for both the test and interpretation of results
• There is lack of evidence to support validity of use of personality tests.
Selection: Interviews
Interviews: A selection procedure designed to predict future job performance on the basis of
applicants' oral responses to oral inquiries.
Advantages
• It is useful for determining if the applicant has requisite communicative or social skills
which may be necessary for the job
• The interviewer can obtain supplementary information used to appraise candidates' verbal
fluency
• It allows the applicant to ask questions that may reveal additional information useful for
making a selection decision
Disadvantages
• The subjective evaluations are made
• The decisions tend to be made within the first few minutes of the interview with the
remainder of the interview used to validate or justify the original decision
• The interviewers form stereotypes concerning the characteristics required for success on
the job
• The research has shown disproportionate rates of selection between minority and non-
minority members using interviews
• Not much evidence of validity of the selection procedure not as reliable as tests.
There are two primary types of interviews used by companies: screening interviews, and
selection interviews. Every company’s hiring process is different. Some companies may require
only two interviews while others may require three or more. It is also not uncommon to see a
company conduct testing (personality, skills based, aptitude, etc.) as an intermediate step in the
hiring process. Here is an overview of the major types of interviews and tips on how to handle
them:
Screening Interview: Your first interview with a company will often be a screening interview.
The purpose of a screening interview is to ensure that prospective candidates meet the basic
qualifications for a given position. It may take place in person or on the telephone. If you meet
the basic qualifications, express interest in the position, and make a positive impression on the
interviewer, you will likely be selected for a selection interview.
Selection Interview:
Selection interviews are typically conducted onsite at the hiring company. The purpose of a
selection interview is to determine whether a candidate will be selected for the position he or she
is interviewing for. A selection interview is typically more rigorous than a screening interview.
At this point, a company is trying to decide whether or not you should either be moved to the
next step in the hiring process or an offer is going to be extended, so there will be more scrutiny
than with a screening interview. The company wants to know - Are you qualified for the job?
Are you a good cultural fit? Can you make an immediate impact, or will you need extensive
training? Questions will be more specific and your answers will need to be more detailed.
Selection interviews can come in several forms:
Panel Interview
A panel interview is an interview that consists of two or more interviewers. Typically, the
interviewers will both ask questions. The purpose of a panel interview is to gain multiple
perspectives on a prospective candidate. The key to a panel interview is to keep all interviewers
involved. Make eye contact with all interviewers even when answering a question for a specific
individual.
One-on-One Interview
A one-on-one interview is an interview with a single interviewer. The key to a one-on-one
interview is to build rapport with the interviewer. Smile. Be friendly. Try to match your
interviewer’s energy level. Typically, you will have a short period of time to make an impact.
Know the position and the key attributes the company is seeking, and emphasize those things.
Stress Interview
A stress interview is designed to test your responses in a stressful environment. The interviewer
may try to intimidate you, and the purpose is to weed out candidates who don’t deal well with
adversity. The interviewer will make deliberate attempts to see how you handle yourself using
methods such as sarcasm, argumentative style questions, or long awkward silences. The key to a
stress interview is to recognize that you are in a stress interview. Don’t take it personally. Stay
calm, focused, and don’t allow yourself to be rushed. Ask for clarification if you need it. Know
how to push back. Ask an interviewer for a couple of problems they are currently facing, and
propose solutions.
Recruitment Selection
Induction
Once an employee is selected and placed on an appropriate job, the process of familiarizing him
with the job and the organization is known as induction.
Induction is the process of receiving and welcoming an employee when he first joins the
company and giving him basic information he needs to settle down quickly and happily and stars
work.
* To help the new comer to overcome his shyness and overcome his shyness nervousness in
meeting new people in a new environment.
* To give new comer necessary information such as location of a café, rest period etc.
* To build new employee confidence in the organization.
* It helps in reducing labor turnover and absenteeism.
* It reduces confusion and develops healthy relations in the organization.
* To ensure that the new comer do not form false impression and negative attitude towards the
organization.
* To develop among the new comer a sense of belonging and loyalty to the organization.
Job Changes
Mobility of employees from one job to another through transfer, promotion and demotion is
internal mobility and some employees leave the organization due to resignation, retirement and
termination is called external mobility. Taking internal and external together makes job change.
Purpose of Job Change
• To maximize employee efficiency.
• To ensure discipline.
Transfer
A transfer refers to a horizontal or lateral movement of an employee from one job to another in
the same organization without any significant change in status or pay. It has been defined as “a
lateral shift causing movement of individuals from one position to another usually without
involving any marked change in duties, responsibilities, skills needed or compensation.”
Purposes of transfer
• To meet organizational needs.
• To adjust the work force.
• To better utilize employees.
• To enhance job skills, knowledge and aptitude.
• To make employee more versatile.
• To satisfy employee needs.
• To punish non-performers.
Promotions
Promotion refers to advancement of an employee to a higher post carrying greater responsibility,
higher status and better salary. It is the upward movement of an employee in the organization’s
hierarchy, to another job commanding greater authority, higher status and better working
conditions.
Advantages of Promotion
• To retain skilled and talented employees.
• To develop a competitive spirit among employees for acquiring knowledge and skills
required by higher level jobs.
Demotions
Demotion is “reverse” of promotion. Demotion is the lowering of a rank, reduction in salary,
status and responsibilities. It may be defined as the assignment of an individual to a job of lower
rank and pay usually involving lower level of authority and responsibility. Demotion is normally
used as a punishment for breach of discipline. It brings bad name to the employee. The juniors
supersede a person which brings humiliation. Even the reduction of pay will adversely affect the
budget of an employee.
Causes of Demotion:
Demotion may take place due to the following reasons:
1. Breach of Discipline: A breach of discipline may attract demotion as a punishment. An
organization can work only if proper discipline is maintained. A punitive action for such breach
may be necessary so that people do not flout rules, regulation etc. of the company.
2. Inadequacy of Knowledge: A person may not be competent to perform his job properly. He
may not be able to meet job requirements. In such a situation demotion becomes necessary.
3. Unable to Cope With Change: Now-a-days, there is a rapid change in technology and
methods of work. The existing employees may not be able to adjust themselves as per the new
requirements. It may be due to lack of education, technical skill, ill health, old age or other
personal reasons. Under these circumstances new persons may be needed to take up such jobs.
4. Organizational Re-Organization: Sometimes there may be organizational changes. It may
be necessitated by either combining the departments or closing of some sections or departments.
In such situations the number of positions is reduced and some employees may be posted at the
lower positions until normality is restored. Such demotions are not due to any fault of the
employees.
Separation
Separated employees include employees who retire. Employee separation, in some instances, is a
relatively neutral way to describe the end of the employment relationship. Separation can occur
when the employee doesn't necessarily want to leave, but does so anyway for reasons other than
leaving the company for a better opportunity or embarking upon a new career path. Employee
separation is a phrase also used to describe the end of the employment relationship due to death.
Concept of Training:
What is meant by training? Training is the process of teaching the new and/or present employees
the basic skills they need to effectively perform their jobs. Alternatively speaking, training is the
act of increasing the knowledge and skill of an employee for doing his/her job.
Thus, training refers to the teaching and learning activities carried on for the primary purpose of
helping members of an organization to acquire and also to apply the required knowledge, skill
and attitudes to perform their jobs effectively.
According to Edwin B. Flippo, “training is the act of increasing the knowledge and skills of an
employee for doing a particular job.”
Michael Armstrong points “training is the systematic modification of behaviour through learning
which occurs as a result of education, instruction, development and planned experience”.
In the opinion of Michael J. Jucious, “training is any process by which the attitudes, skills and
abilities of employees to perform specific jobs are improved.”
Thus, it can be concluded that training is a process that tries to improve skills, or add to the
existing level of knowledge so that the employee is better equipped to do his present job, or to
mould him to be fit for a higher job involving higher responsibilities. In other words, training is a
learning experience that seeks a relatively permanent change in an individual that will improve
his/her ability to perform his job.
Importance of training:
The following two Chinese proverbs highlight the importance of the employee training:
“Give a man a fish, and you have given him meal. Teach man to fish, and you have given him
livelihood.”
“If you wish to plan for a year sow seeds, if you wish to plan for ten years plant trees, if you plan
for life-time develop men.”
The importance of employee training can best be appreciated with the help of various advantages
it offers to both employees and employers.
1. Better Performance:
Training improves employee’s ability and skills and, in turn, improves employee’s performance
both in quantity and quality. Better or increased employee performance directly leads to
increased operational productivity and increased organisational profits. Improvements in
employee performance/productivity in developed countries’ lend support to this statement.
2. Improved Quality:
In formal training programmes, the best methods of performing jobs are standardised and then
taught to employees. This offers two-fold benefits. Firstly, uniformity in work performance helps
improve the quality of work or service. Secondly, better informed, or say, trained workers are
less likely to make operational mistakes.
3. Less Supervision:
A trained worker is self-reliant. He knows his work and way to perform it well. Therefore, his
work requires less supervision. The supervisor can devote his time on more urgent works.
A well planned and systematically organised training programme reduces the time and cost
involved in learning. Training enables to avoid waste of time and efforts in learning through trial
and error method’.
5. High Morale:
Training not only improves the ability and skill of employees, but also changes employee
attitude toward positive. Higher performance, job satisfaction, job security and avenues for
internal promotion lead to high morale among the employees. High morale, in turn, makes
employees’ lore loyal to the organisation.
6. Personal Growth:
Training improves employee’s ability, knowledge and skills and, thus, prevents employee’s
obsolescence. This makes employees growth-oriented.
The aforesaid advantages combined lead to an improved and favourable organisational climate
characterised by better industrial relations and disciplines, reduced resistance to change, reduced
absenteeism and turnover of employees, and improved stability of organisation.
Thus, it may be observed that the importance of training can be imbued with multiplicity of
justifications. In fact, a systematic and effective training is an invaluable investment in the
human resources of an organisation. Therefore, no organisation can choose whether or not to
train employees.
Types of Training:
Various types of training can be given to the employees such as induction training, refresher
training, on the job training, vestibule training, and training for promotions.
1. Induction training:
Also known as orientation training given for the new recruits in order to make them familiarize
with the internal environment of an organization. It helps the employees to understand the
procedures, code of conduct, policies existing in that organization.
This training provides an overview about the job and experienced trainers demonstrates the
entire job. Addition training is offered to employees after evaluating their performance if
necessary.
3. Vestibule training:
It is the training on actual work to be done by an employee but conducted away from the work
place.
4. Refresher training:
This type of training is offered in order to incorporate the latest development in a particular field.
This training is imparted to upgrade the skills of employees. This training can also be used for
promoting an employee.
5. Apprenticeship training:
A large variety of methods of training are used in business. Even within one organization
different methods are used for training different people. All the methods are divided into two
classifications for:
Under these methods new or inexperienced employees learn through observing peers or
managers performing the job and trying to imitate their behaviour. These methods do not cost
much and are less disruptive as employees are always on the job, training is given on the same
machines and experience would be on already approved standards, and above all the trainee is
learning while earning. Some of the commonly used methods are:
1. Coaching:
Coaching is a one-to-one training. It helps in quickly identifying the weak areas and tries to
focus on them. It also offers the benefit of transferring theory learning to practice. The biggest
problem is that it perpetrates the existing practices and styles. In India most of the scooter
mechanics are trained only through this method.
2. Mentoring:
The focus in this training is on the development of attitude. It is used for managerial employees.
Mentoring is always done by a senior inside person. It is also one-to- one interaction, like
coaching.
3. Job Rotation:
It is the process of training employees by rotating them through a series of related jobs. Rotation
not only makes a person well acquainted with different jobs, but it also alleviates boredom and
allows to develop rapport with a number of people. Rotation must be logical.
It is a Step by step (structured) on the job training method in which a suitable trainer (a) prepares
a trainee with an overview of the job, its purpose, and the results desired, (b) demonstrates the
task or the skill to the trainee, (c) allows the trainee to show the demonstration on his or her own,
and (d) follows up to provide feedback and help. The trainees are presented the learning material
in written or by learning machines through a series called ‘frames’. This method is a valuable
tool for all educators (teachers and trainers). It helps us:
5. Apprenticeship:
The object of such training is to make the trainees all-round craftsmen. It is an expensive method
of training. Also, there is no guarantee that the trained worker will continue to work in the same
organisation after securing training. The apprentices are paid remuneration according the
apprenticeship agreements.
6. Understudy:
In this method, a superior gives training to a subordinate as his understudy like an assistant to a
manager or director (in a film). The subordinate learns through experience and observation by
participating in handling day to day problems. Basic purpose is to prepare subordinate for
assuming the full responsibilities and duties.
Off-the-job training methods are conducted in separate from the job environment, study material
is supplied, there is full concentration on learning rather than performing, and there is freedom of
expression. Important methods include:
1. Lectures and Conferences:
Lectures and conferences are the traditional and direct method of instruction. Every training
programme starts with lecture and conference. It’s a verbal presentation for a large audience.
However, the lectures have to be motivating and creating interest among trainees. The speaker
must have considerable depth in the subject. In the colleges and universities, lectures and
seminars are the most common methods used for training.
2. Vestibule Training:
Vestibule Training is a term for near-the-job training, as it offers access to something new
(learning). In vestibule training, the workers are trained in a prototype environment on specific
jobs in a special part of the plant.
An attempt is made to create working condition similar to the actual workshop conditions. After
training workers in such condition, the trained workers may be put on similar jobs in the actual
workshop.
This enables the workers to secure training in the best methods to work and to get rid of initial
nervousness. During the Second World War II, this method was used to train a large number of
workers in a short period of time. It may also be used as a preliminary to on-the job training.
Duration ranges from few days to few weeks. It prevents trainees to commit costly mistakes on
the actual machines.
3. Simulation Exercises:
Simulation is any artificial environment exactly similar to the actual situation. There are four
basic simulation techniques used for imparting training: management games, case study, role
playing, and in-basket training.
Properly designed games help to ingrain thinking habits, analytical, logical and reasoning
capabilities, importance of team work, time management, to make decisions lacking complete
information, communication and leadership capabilities. Use of management games can
encourage novel, innovative mechanisms for coping with stress.
Management games orient a candidate with practical applicability of the subject. These games
help to appreciate management concepts in a practical way. Different games are used for training
general managers and the middle management and functional heads – executive Games and
functional heads.
Case studies are complex examples which give an insight into the context of a problem as well as
illustrating the main point. Case Studies are trainee centered activities based on topics that
demonstrate theoretical concepts in an applied setting.
A case study allows the application of theoretical concepts to be demonstrated, thus bridging the
gap between theory and practice, encourage active learning, provides an opportunity for the
development of key skills such as communication, group working and problem solving, and
increases the trainees” enjoyment of the topic and hence their desire to learn.
Each trainee takes the role of a person affected by an issue and studies the impacts of the issues
on human life and/or the effects of human activities on the world around us from the perspective
of that person.
It emphasizes the “real- world” side of science and challenges students to deal with complex
problems with no single “right” answer and to use a variety of skills beyond those employed in a
typical research project.
In particular, role-playing presents the student a valuable opportunity to learn not just the course
content, but other perspectives on it. The steps involved in role playing include defining
objectives, choose context & roles, introducing the exercise, trainee preparation/research, the
role-play, concluding discussion, and assessment. Types of role play may be multiple role play,
single role play, role rotation, and spontaneous role play.
In-basket exercise, also known as in-tray training, consists of a set of business papers which may
include e-mail SMSs, reports, memos, and other items. Now the trainer is asked to prioritise the
decisions to be made immediately and the ones that can be delayed.
4. Sensitivity Training:
Sensitivity training is also known as laboratory or T-group training. This training is about
making people understand about themselves and others reasonably, which is done by developing
in them social sensitivity and behavioral flexibility. It is ability of an individual to sense what
others feel and think from their own point of view.
It reveals information about his or her own personal qualities, concerns, emotional issues, and
things that he or she has in common with other members of the group. It is the ability to behave
suitably in light of understanding.
A group’s trainer refrains from acting as a group leader or lecturer, attempting instead to clarify
the group processes using incidents as examples to clarify general points or provide feedback.
The group action, overall, is the goal as well as the process.
The Design of the Training Program can be undertaken only when a clear training
objective has been produced. The training objective clears what goal has to be achieved by
the end of training program i.e. what the trainees are expected to be able to do at the end of
their training. Training objectives assist trainers to design the training program.
The trainer – Before starting a training program, a trainer analyzes his technical,
interpersonal, judgmental skills in order to deliver quality content to trainers.
The trainees – A good training design requires close scrutiny of the trainees and their
profiles. Age, experience, needs and expectations of the trainees are some of the important
factors that affect training design.
Training climate – A good training climate comprises of ambience, tone, feelings, positive
perception for training program, etc. Therefore, when the climate is favorable nothing goes
wrong but when the climate is unfavorable, almost everything goes wrong.
Trainees’ learning style – the learning style, age, experience, educational background of
trainees must be kept in mind in order to get the right pitch to the design of the program.
Training strategies – Once the training objective has been identified, the trainer translates it
into specific training areas and modules. The trainer prepares the priority list of about what
must be included, what could be included.
Training topics – After formulating a strategy, trainer decides upon the content to be
delivered. Trainers break the content into headings, topics, ad modules. These topics and
modules are then classified into information, knowledge, skills, and attitudes.
• Trainees’ background
• Time allocated
• Style preference of trainer
• Level of competence of trainer
• Availability of facilities and resources, etc
It means that executive development focuses more on the executive’s personal growth. Thus,
executive development consists of all the means that improve his/her performance and
behaviour. Executive development helps understand cause and effect relationship, synthesizes
from experience, visualizes relationships or thinks logically. That is why some behavioural
scientists suggest that the executive development is predominantly an educational process rather
than a training process.
Flippo has viewed that “executive/management development includes the process by which
managers and executives acquire not only skills and competency in their present jobs but also
capabilities for future managerial tasks of increasing difficulty and scope”.
According to S.B. Budhiraja, former Managing Director of Indian Oil Corporation. “Any activity
designed to improve the performance of existing managers and to provide for a planned growth
of managers to meet future organisational requirements is called management development”. It is
now clear from the above definitions of executive/management development that it is based on
certain assumptions.
These steps, also called the components of the executive development programme, have been-
discussed in the succeeding paragraphs.
This needs to be seen in the context of organisational as well as individual, i.e. manager needs.
While organisational needs may be identified by making organisational analysis in terms of
organisation’s growth plan, strategies, competitive environment, etc., individual needs to be
identified by the individual career planning and appraisal.
The second step is an appraisal of the present managerial talent for the organisation. For this
purpose, a qualitative assessment of the existing executives/managers in the organisation is
made. Then, the performance of every executive is compared with the standard expected of him.
Inventory of Executive Manpower:
Based on information gathered from human resource planning, an inventory is prepared to have
complete information about each executive in each position. Information on the executive’s age,
education, experience, health record, psychological test results, performance appraisal data, etc.
is collected and the same is maintained on cards and replacement tables.
An analysis of such inventory shows the strengths and also discloses the deficiencies and
weaknesses of the executives in certain functions relative to the future needs of the concern
organisation. From this executive inventory, we can begin the fourth step involved in the
executive development process.
Having delineated strengths and weaknesses of each executive, the development programmes are
tailored to fill in the deficiencies of executives. Such tailormade programmes of development
focus on individual needs such as skill development, changing attitudes, and knowledge
acquisition.
At this stage, the manager actually participates in development programmes. It is worth mention-
ing that no single development programme can be adequate for all managers. The reason is that
each manager has a unique set of physical, intellectual and emotional characteristics.
As such, there can be different development programmes to uniquely suit to the needs of an
executive/ manager. These development programmes may be on-the-job or off-the-job
programmes organised either by the organisation itself or by some outside agencies.
• A Career has been defined as the sequence of a person’s experiences on different jobs
over the period of time.
• It is viewed as fundamentally a relationship between one or more organizations and the
individual. To some a career is a carefully worked out plan for self advancement to others
it is a calling-life role to others it is a voyage to self discovery and to still others it is life
itself.
• A career is a sequence of positions/jobs held by a person during the course of his working
life.
• According to Edwin B. Flippo,“ A career is a sequence of separate but related work
activities that provide continuity, order and meaning to a person’s life”.
• According to Garry Dessler, “The occupational positions a person has had over many
years”. Many of today's employees have high expectations about their jobs. There
has been a general increase in the concern of the quality of life. Workers expect more
from their jobs than just income.
• A further impetus to career planning is the need for organizations to make the
best possible use of their most valuable resources the people in a time of rapid
technological growth and change
• Career development, both as a concept and a concern is of recent origin. The reason for
this lack of concern regarding career development for a long time has been the careless,
unrealistic assumption about employees functioning smoothly along the right lines, and
the belief that the employees guide themselves in their careers.
2. Analyzing career opportunities: The organizational set up, future plans and career
system of the employees are analyzed to identify the career opportunities available within
it. Career paths can be determined for each position. It can also necessary to analyze
career demands in terms of knowledge, skill, experience, aptitude etc
4. Formulating and implementing strategies: Alternative action plans and strategies for
dealing with the match and mismatch are formulated and implemented
5. Reviewing career plans: A periodic review of the career plan is necessary to know
whether the plan is contributing to effective utilization of human resources by matching
employee objectives to job needs. Review will also indicate to employees in which
direction the organization is moving, what changes are likely to take place and what skills
are needed to adapt to the changing needs of the organization.
Performance Appraisal is the procedure done after the performance of the current year or
by monthly basis also
Potential appraisal is done with the skills which are present in the individual eg:- Leadership
qualities, Communication Skills etc.
POTENTIAL APPRAISAL
Potential Appraisal is the identification of the hidden talents and skills of a person. The person
might or might not be aware of them.
Potential appraisal is a future – oriented appraisal whose main objective is to identify and
evaluate the potential of the employees to assume higher positions and responsibilities in the
organizational hierarchy. Many organization consider and use potential appraisal as a part of the
performance appraisal processes.
1. The supervisors measure the pay of employees and compare it with targets and plans.
2. The supervisor analyses the factors behind work performances of employees.
3. The employers are in position to guide the employees for a better performance.
Traditional Methods
1. Critical incident method
This format of performance appraisal is a method which is involved identifying and describing
specific incidents where employees did something really well or that needs improving during
their performance period.
Modern Methods
6. Behaviorally anchored rating scales
This formatted performance appraisal is based on making rates on behaviors or sets of indicators
to determine the effectiveness or ineffectiveness of working performance. The form is a mix of
the rating scale and critical incident techniques to assess performance of the staff.
7. Performance ranking method
The performance appraisal of ranking is used to assess the working performance of employees
from the highest to lowest levels.
Managers will make comparisons of an employee with the others, instead of making comparison
of each employee with some certain standards.
8. Management By Objectives (MBO) method
MBO is a method of performance appraisal in which managers or employers set a list of
objectives and make assessments on their performance on a regular basis, and finally make
rewards based on the results achieved. This method mostly cares about the results achieved
(goals) but not to the way how employees can fulfill them.
9. 360 degree performance appraisal
The style of 360 degree performance appraisal is a method that employees will give confidential
and anonymous assessments on their colleagues. This post also information that can be used as
references for such methods of performance assessments of 720, 540, 180…
10.Forced ranking (forced distribution)
In this style of performance appraisal, employees are ranked in terms of forced allocations.
For instance, it is vital that the proportions be shared in the way that 10 or 20 % will be the
highest levels of performances, while 70 or 80% will be in the middle level and the rest will be in
the lowest one.
1. Halo Effect
The rater may base the full appraisal on the basis or one positive quality which was found out
earlier. For e.g. If a person is evaluated on one quality i.e. emotional stability and if he scores
very high in the case of emotional stability, then the rater may also give him high scores (marks
or grades) for other qualities such as intelligence, creativity etc., even without judging these
characteristics.
3. Central Tendency
Sometimes a rater gives only middle range scores to all individuals. Extremely high or low
scores are avoided. This is called Central Tendency.
4. Personal Bias
Performance appriasal is affected by personal bias of the rater. If the rater has good relations
with the ratee (an employee who is getting rated), he may give higher scores to the ratee, even
though the ratee does not deserve such high scores. So personal bias may lead to favoured
treatment for some employees, and bad treatment to others.
5. Paper Work
Some supervisors complain that performance appraisal is pointless paper work. They complain
because many times, performance appraisal reports are found only in the files. It does not serve
any practical purpose. In other words, the performance appraisal reports are not used by some
organisations. They are conducted just as a formality or for the name sake.
8. Horn Effect
Sometimes the raters may evaluate on the basis of one negative quality. This results in overall
lower rating of the particular employee. For e.g. "He does not shave regularly. Therefore, he
must be lazy at work."
9. Spillover Effect
In this case, the present performance appraisal is greatly influenced by past performance. A
person who has not done a good job in the past is considered (assumed) to be bad for doing
present work.
Introduction to Performance Management
Performance management is the process of creating a work environment or setting in which
people are enabled to perform to the best of their abilities. It is the main vehicle by which
managers communicate what is required from employees and give feedback on how well they
are achieving job goals (CIPD, 2009). It brings together many of the elements that make up the
practice of people management, including in particular learning and development. Performance
management establishes shared understanding of what is to be achieved and provides an
approach to leading and developing people that will ensure it is achieved; as such it is an
essential element of your role and will support your relationship with individuals in your team.
360 degree feedback, also known as 'multi-rater feedback', is the most comprehensive appraisal
where the feedback about the employees’ performance comes from all the sources that come in
contact with the employee on his job.
360 degree appraisal has four integral components:
1.Self appraisal
2. Superior’s appraisal
3. Subordinate’s appraisal
4. Peer appraisal.
360 degree performance appraisal is also a powerful developmental tool because when
conducted at regular intervals (say yearly) it helps to keep a track of the changes others’
perceptions about the employees. A 360 degree appraisal is generally found more suitable for the
managers as it helps to assess their leadership and managing styles. This technique is being
effectively used across the globe for performance appraisals. Some of the organizations
following it are Wipro, Infosys, and Reliance Industries etc.
Compensation:
Compensation is a systematic approach to providing monetary value to employees in exchange
for work performed. Compensation may achieve several purposes assisting in recruitment, job
performance, and job satisfaction.
Compensation is a tool used by management for a variety of purposes to further the existance of
the company. Compensation may be adjusted according the the business needs, goals, and
available resources.
Compensation may be used to:
•recruit and retain qualified employees.
•increase or maintain morale/satisfaction.
•reward and encourage peak performance.
•achieve internal and external equity.
•reduce turnover and encourage company loyalty.
•modify (through negotiations) practices of unions.
JOB EVALUATION
Job evaluation is a process of analyzing and assessing the various jobs systematically to ascertain
their relative worth in an organization.
Jobs are evaluated on the basis of content, placed in order of importance. This establishes Job
Hierarchies, which is a purpose of fixation of satisfactory wage differentials among various jobs.
Jobs are ranked (not jobholders)
Job Evaluation involves determination of relative worth of each job for the purpose of
establishing wage and salary differentials. Relative worth is determined mainly on the basis of
job description and job specification only. Job Evaluation helps to determine wages and salary
grades for all jobs. Employees need to be compensated depending on the grades of jobs which
they occupy.
Clearly remuneration must be based on the relative worth of each job.
3. Job evaluation helps in bringing harmonious relation between labor and management
Job evaluation brings harmony and good labor relation through eliminating wage inequalities
within the organization.
Maintenance
Organizations provide welfare facilities to their employees to keep their motivation levels high.
The employee welfare schemes can be classified into two categories viz. statutory and non-
statutory welfare schemes. The statutory schemes are those schemes that are compulsory to
provide by an organization as compliance to the laws governing employee health and safety.
These include provisions provided in industrial acts like Factories Act 1948, Dock Workers Act
(safety, health and welfare) 1986, Mines Act 1962. The non statutory schemes differ from
organization to organization and from industry to industry.
Many non statutory welfare schemes may include the following schemes:
Personal Health Care (Regular medical check-ups): Some of the companies provide the facility
for extensive health check-up
Flexi-time: The main objective of the flextime policy is to provide opportunity to employees to
work with flexible working schedules. Flexible work schedules are initiated by employees and
approved by management to meet business commitments while supporting employee personal
life needs
Employee Assistance Programs: Various assistant programs are arranged like external
counseling service so that employees or members of their immediate family can get counseling
on various matters.
Harassment Policy: To protect an employee from harassments of any kind, guidelines are
provided for proper action and also for protecting the aggrieved employee.
Maternity & Adoption Leave – Employees can avail maternity or adoption leaves. Paternity
leave policies have also been introduced by various companies.
Medi-claim Insurance Scheme: This insurance scheme provides adequate insurance coverage of
employees for expenses related to hospitalization due to illness, disease or injury or pregnancy.
Employee Referral Scheme: In several companies employee referral scheme is implemented to
encourage employees to refer friends and relatives for employment in the organization.
For smooth functioning of an organization, the employer has to ensure safety and security of his
employees. Health and safety form an integral part of work environment. A work environment
should enhance the well being of employees and thus should be accident free.
In organizations the responsibility of employee health and safety falls on the supervisors or HR
manager. An HR manager can help in coordinating safety programs, making employees aware
about the health and safety policy of the company, conduct formal safety training, etc. The
supervisors and departmental heads are responsible for maintaining safe working conditions.
Responsibilities of managers:
Monitor health and safety of employees
Coach employees to be safety conscious
Investigate accidents
Communicate about safety policy to employees
Responsibilities of supervisors/departmental heads:
Provide technical training regarding prevention of accidents
Coordinate health and safety programs
Train employees on handling facilities an equipments
Develop safety reporting systems
Maintaining safe working conditions
Social security is primarily a social insurance program providing social protection or protection
against socially recognized conditions, including poverty, old age, disability, unemployment and
others. Social security may refer to:
social insurance, where people receive benefits or services in recognition of contributions to an
insurance program. These services typically include provision for retirement pensions, disability
insurance, survivor benefits and unemployment insurance.
income maintenance, mainly the distribution of cash in the event of interruption of employment,
including retirement, disability and unemployment
services provided by administrations responsible for social security. In different countries this
may include medical care, aspects of social work and even industrial relations.
More rarely, the term is also used to refer to basic security, a term roughly equivalent to access to
basic necessities—things such as food, clothing, housing, education, money, and medical care.
Grievances are but natural in organisations. However like disciplinary problems, grievances also
benefit none. Hence, there is a need for handling or redressing grievances. For this, most large
organisations in India have, therefore, evolved a formal grievance procedure which enables an
organisation to handle grievances satisfactorily.
Stage 1:
The worker fills in a grievance form and submits the same to the shift incharge for information
and consideration.
Stage 2:
In case, he is not satisfied with the decision, he goes to the departmental head for the settlement
of his grievance.
Stage 3:
If the aggrieved employee is still dissatisfied, he forwards it to the appropriate chairman of the
zonal works committee (ZWC). Each zonal works committee consists of five management and
five union representatives. Their decision is final and binding on both the parties. The individual
grievances considered by the zonal committee pertain to promotion, suspension, discharge and
dismissal.
Stage 4:
If the zonal committee either does not reach to a unanimous decision or the decision is not
accepted by the employee, the grievance is, then, forwarded to the central works committee. This
committee consists of representatives of top management and union officials. Here also, the
unanimity of principle operators and the decision taken by the committee is binding on both the
parties.
Stage 5:
If this committee also does not reach to an unanimous decision, the matter is referred to the
Chairman of the company. His or her decision is final and is binding on both the parties.
The stage at which the grievance is settled indicates the climate or the spirit that prevails in the
organisation. Obviously, lower the level of settlement, the quicker the redressal of a grievance.
The concerned officer, be the supervisor or manager, remains in a position to “give and take” at
initial lower stages such as stage 1. Gradually, he or she comes under the glare of publicity; his
or her position becomes harder at the subsequent stages.
Viewed from an aggrieved employee’s point, the delay in the settlement of grievance would
intensify his or her anxiety and dissatisfaction. Which, in turn would affect his or her morale and
productivity. The colleagues would also get affected. For the organisation, the delay in
settlement is a loss of goodwill and camaraderie that might have been built up over the period.
Employee participation
Employee participation is the process whereby employees are involved in decision making
processes, rather than simply acting on orders. Employee participation is part of a process of
empowerment in the workplace.
i. Project teams or quality circles in which employees work on projects or tasks with
considerable responsibility being delegated to the team.
ii. Suggestion schemes - where employees are given channels whereby they can suggest new
ideas to managers within the organisation. Often they will receive rewards for making
appropriate suggestions.
iii. Consultation exercises and meetings whereby employees are encouraged to share ideas.
iv. Delegation of responsibility within the organisation. In modern organisations ground level
employees have to be given considerable responsibility because they are dealing with customers
on a day-to-day basis often in novel situations. Such employees need to be trusted to make
decisions for themselves.
v. Multi-channel decision making processes. In such situations decisions are not only made in a
downward direction, they also result from communications upwards, sideways, and in many
other directions within the organisation.
Flexi-Time
Flexi time (or flextime, flexi-time, originally derived from the German word Gleitzeit which
literally means "sliding time") is a variable work schedule, in contrast to traditional work
arrangements requiring employees to work a standard 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. day. Its invention is
usually credited to William Henning. Under flextime, there is typically a core period (of
approximately 50% of total working time/working day) of the day, when employees are expected
to be at work (for example, between 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.), while the rest of the working day is
"flexi time", in which employees can choose when they work, subject to achieving total daily,
weekly or monthly hours in the region of what the employer expects, and subject to the
necessary work being done.
A flextime policy allows staff to determine when they will work, while a flex place policy allows
staff to determine where they will work. Its practical realization can mainly be attributed to the
entrepreneur Wilhelm Haller who founded Hengstler Gleitzeit, and later "Inter flex
Datensysteme GmbH" in Southern Germany, where today a number of companies offer Flexi
time (Gleitzeit) solutions which have grown out of his initiative
ESOP
An Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) is an employee benefit plan which makes the
employees of company owners of stock in that company. Several features make ESOPs unique
as compared to other employee benefit plans. First, only an ESOP is required by law to invest
primarily in the securities of the sponsoring employer. Second, an ESOP is unique among
qualified employee benefit plans in its ability to borrow money. As a result, "leveraged ESOPs"
may be used as a technique of corporate finance.
The benefits for the company include increased cash flow, tax savings, and increased
productivity from highly motivated workers. The main benefit for the employees is the ability to
share in the company's success. Due to the tax benefits, the administration of ESOPs is regulated,
and numerous restrictions apply. It is also called stock purchase plan.
References
Webliography
www.enotesmba.com/p/human-resource-management-notes.html
http://www.managementstudyguide.com/human-resource-
management.htmwww.tutor2u.net/business/people/hrm_introduction.asp
studyvalue.com/_.../_hrm/hrm_planning_and_manpower_13.html
http://hrdictionaryblog.com/2012/10/28/evolution-of-human-resource-management/evolution-of-
hrm-4/#main
Text Books:
1. G. Dessler, Human Resource Management, Pearson Education, 2008
2. Snell et al, Human Resource Management, Cenage Learning(India Edition), 2010
3. V. S.P. Rao, Human Resource Management: Text and Cases, Excel Books, 2007
4. D. Lepak, & M. Gowan, Human Resource Management, Pearson Education,2009