Human Resource Management
Human Resource Management
Definition
Edwin B. Flippo:
"Human resource management is the planning, organizing, directing and controlling of
the procurement, development, compensation, integration, maintenance, and separation
of human resources to the end that individual, organizational and societal objectives are
accomplished."
Michael Armstrong:
"Human Resource Management (HRM) is the strategic and coherent approach to the
management of an organization's most valued assets—the people working there who
individually and collectively contribute to the achievement of its objectives."
HRM is the process of managing people within an organization to optimize their skills,
talents, and potential for the benefit of the organization and its employees. It encompasses
a range of activities, including recruitment, training, performance management, and
employee relations.
1. Strategic Alignment
HRM aligns with the overall strategic goals of the organization. It involves ensuring
that the workforce is effectively contributing to the achievement of organizational
objectives.
2. People-Centric Focus
HRM places a strong emphasis on managing people as valuable assets. It involves
creating a work environment that fosters employee engagement, satisfaction, and
development.
3. Comprehensive Functionality
HRM encompasses a wide range of functions, including recruitment, selection,
training and development, compensation and benefits, performance management,
employee relations, and workforce planning.
4. Continuous Process
HRM is an ongoing and dynamic process that adapts to changes in the internal and
external business environment. It involves continuous assessment and improvement
of HR practices to meet organizational needs.
5. Legal Compliance
HRM ensures compliance with labor laws, regulations, and ethical standards. It
involves creating policies and procedures that adhere to legal requirements and
promote fair treatment of employees.
6. Talent Acquisition
HRM is responsible for attracting, recruiting, and selecting qualified individuals to fill
positions within the organization. This includes developing effective recruitment
strategies and conducting thorough hiring processes.
7. Employee Development
HRM focuses on developing the skills and capabilities of employees. This includes
providing training programs, performance appraisals, career development
opportunities, and succession planning.
8. Performance Management
HRM involves the establishment of performance standards, the evaluation of
employee performance, and the implementation of performance improvement
plans. It aims to enhance individual and organizational effectiveness.
9. Employee Relations
HRM manages employee relations by fostering a positive work environment,
addressing conflicts, and ensuring effective communication between management
and employees.
Job Analysis
It involves collecting data about various aspects of a job, including the skills,
knowledge, abilities, qualifications, and attributes necessary for successful
performance.
JOB ANALYSIS
Job Description
6. Working Conditions: Details about the work environment, such as location, hours,
travel requirements, physical demands, and any other relevant factors.
Job Specification
1. Education: The level of education or specific qualifications required for the job, such
as degrees, certifications, or licenses.
2. Experience: The type and amount of relevant work experience necessary for the job,
including any specific industry experience or years of experience in similar roles.
3. Skills: The technical skills, soft skills, and other competencies required to perform
the job effectively. This may include specific computer skills, language proficiency,
communication abilities, leadership qualities, etc.
4. Knowledge: The specific knowledge areas or subject matter expertise required for
the job, such as industry knowledge, product knowledge, regulatory knowledge, etc.
5. Abilities: The physical, cognitive, or behavioral abilities necessary to carry out the job
responsibilities successfully. This may include problem-solving skills, decision-making
abilities, interpersonal skills, etc.
It involves analyzing and assessing the current workforce, identifying future staffing
needs, and developing strategies to address gaps between the supply of and demand
for talent.
1. Environmental Scanning: Monitoring internal and external factors that may impact
workforce availability and demand, such as changes in business goals, technological
advancements, economic conditions, demographics, labor market trends, and
regulatory requirements.
1. Trend Analysis: Trend analysis involves examining historical data on variables such as
employee turnover rates, recruitment sources, and workforce demographics to
identify patterns and trends over time. This analysis helps in understanding past
trends and projecting future workforce needs.
2. Succession Planning: Succession planning identifies and develops internal candidates
to fill key roles within the organization as current employees retire, resign, or are
promoted. This method involves assessing employees' potential, providing training
and development opportunities, and creating talent pipelines for critical positions.
Recruitment
Methods of Recruitment
1. Internal Recruitment: This involves filling job vacancies from within the organization
by promoting existing employees, transferring them to different departments or
roles, or encouraging employee referrals. Internal recruitment can boost employee
morale, enhance loyalty, and save on recruitment costs.
2. External Recruitment: External recruitment involves seeking candidates from
outside the organization to fill job vacancies. This can be done through various
methods, including:
4. Social Media Recruitment: Utilizing social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook,
Twitter, and Instagram to promote job vacancies, engage with potential candidates,
showcase company culture, and build employer brand awareness.
3. Sourcing Strategies
o Internal vs. external recruitment methods.
o Advantages and disadvantages of each method.
o Effective use of recruitment channels such as job portals, social media, and
employee referrals.
4. Responsibilities:
o Definition of roles and responsibilities for HR staff, hiring managers, and
other stakeholders involved in the recruitment process.
6. Interview Process
o Types of interviews: structured, unstructured, behavioral.
o Conducting effective interviews.
o Legal considerations in interview questions.
Selection
3. Initial Screening: Qualified candidates may undergo an initial screening, which may
involve a brief phone interview or questionnaire to assess their interest in the
position, availability, salary expectations, and basic qualifications.
8. Final Decision and Job Offer: Based on the information gathered from the selection
process, hiring managers and decision-makers evaluate candidates and make a final
decision regarding who to hire for the job. A job offer is extended to the selected
candidate, including details such as salary, benefits, start date, and any other
relevant terms and conditions of employment.
9. Onboarding: After the candidate accepts the job offer, the onboarding process
begins, where new employees are integrated into the organization, provided with
necessary training and resources, and introduced to their roles, responsibilities, and
colleagues.
10. Feedback and Continuous Improvement: Employers may solicit feedback from
candidates and hiring managers to evaluate the effectiveness of the selection
process and identify areas for improvement. Continuous improvement ensures that
the selection process remains fair, efficient, and aligned with organizational goals
and objectives.
UNIT II
There are various approaches to conducting on-the-job training, each with its own
advantages and disadvantages.
2. Job Rotation: Job rotation involves moving employees through different positions
within the organization to expose them to various aspects of the business. This
approach helps employees gain a broad understanding of the organization's
operations and can also aid in career development.
4. Case Studies: Trainees analyse real-life case studies or scenarios relevant to their job
role. This approach encourages critical thinking, problem-solving, and application of
theoretical knowledge to practical situations.
Off-the-job training refers to any training or learning activity that takes place away from the
employee's regular work environment.
1. Classroom Training: This is perhaps the most traditional form of off-the-job training,
where employees attend training sessions conducted in a classroom setting. Trainers
may use lectures, presentations, group discussions, and multimedia materials to
deliver content.
2. Seminars and Workshops: These are focused, short-term training sessions usually
led by subject matter experts or professionals. Seminars and workshops often cover
specific topics or skills and provide opportunities for interactive learning and
networking.
5. Case Studies: Analysing real-life case studies allows employees to apply theoretical
knowledge to practical situations. Case studies encourage critical thinking, problem-
solving, and decision-making skills development.
Organizational Development
Performance Management
6. Performance Improvement Plans (PIPs): In cases where employees are not meeting
performance expectations, performance improvement plans should be developed to
provide support and guidance for improvement. These plans should include specific
goals, timelines, and resources for improvement.
1. Quantitative KPIs: These KPIs are based on numerical data and provide a clear
measure of performance.
2. Qualitative KPIs: These KPIs focus on subjective measures of performance and are
often based on observations or feedback.
3. Efficiency KPIs: These KPIs measure the efficiency of processes or operations within
the organization.
5. Strategic KPIs: These KPIs align with the organization's strategic objectives and goals.
6. Individual/Team KPIs: These KPIs are tailored to specific roles or teams within the
organization.
SMART KPI
1. Specific: KPIs should be clear and well-defined, focusing on a specific aspect of
performance. They should answer the questions: What do we want to accomplish?
Who is responsible? Where will it take place? Why is it important?
Example: Increase sales revenue by 10% in the next quarter.
3. Achievable: KPIs should be realistic and attainable given the resources, capabilities,
and constraints of the organization. While challenging goals can inspire motivation,
setting unrealistic targets may lead to frustration and disengagement.
Example: Reduce customer service response time by 20% without compromising quality or
customer satisfaction.
4. Relevant: KPIs should directly align with the organization's objectives and strategic
priorities. They should reflect activities or outcomes that contribute to overall
success and are meaningful to the organization.
Example: Increase employee productivity by implementing a new time management training
program.
5. Time-bound: KPIs should have a defined timeframe or deadline within which they
are to be achieved. This adds a sense of urgency and helps to maintain focus and
accountability.
Example: Decrease production costs by 5% within the next six months.
KSA
In the context of performance management, "KSA" stands for Knowledge, Skills, and
Abilities. These are essential attributes that employees need to effectively perform
their job duties and contribute to organizational success. Here's how KSAs apply
specifically to performance management:
2. Skills: These are the abilities and competencies that employees develop through
training, education, and experience. In performance management, employees need
skills such as:
o Communication skills: Ability to effectively convey feedback, discuss
performance goals, and articulate development needs.
o Analytical skills: Capability to assess performance data, identify trends, and
make informed decisions regarding performance improvement.
o Coaching and mentoring skills: Capacity to provide guidance, support, and
development opportunities to enhance performance.
o Conflict resolution skills: Proficiency in addressing conflicts or issues related
to performance in a constructive and collaborative manner.
3. Abilities: These are the inherent qualities and traits that individuals possess, which
enable them to perform tasks effectively. In performance management, employees
need abilities such as:
o Adaptability: Ability to adjust to changing priorities, feedback, and
performance expectations.
o Initiative: Willingness to take ownership of one's performance, seek
feedback, and actively pursue opportunities for improvement.
o Problem-solving: Capacity to identify challenges or obstacles to performance
and develop strategies to overcome them.
o Emotional intelligence: Ability to understand and manage one's own
emotions and those of others in the context of performance discussions and
feedback.
1. Identification: KRAs are identified based on the key responsibilities and objectives of
the employee's role within the organization. These areas are determined through a
careful analysis of the job description and alignment with organizational goals.
2. Setting Objectives: Once KRAs are identified, specific objectives or targets are set for
each KRA. These objectives should be SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable,
Relevant, Time-bound) to provide clarity and direction to the employee.
6. Alignment with Organizational Goals: KRAs should be aligned with the broader
strategic objectives of the organization to ensure that employees' efforts contribute
to overall organizational success.
7. Recognition and Rewards: Achievement of objectives within KRAs may be
recognized and rewarded to motivate employees and reinforce desired behaviours.
What is compensation
Components of Compensation
1. Base Salary: The fixed amount of money paid to employees on a regular basis,
usually in the form of hourly wages or an annual salary.
2. Allowances: This refers to the expenditure incurred by the employer to enable you
to render the services required. These allowances depend on the location,
designation and your job role and are provided over and above the basic salary. The
amount of allowance depends on the individual policies of the company. Given
below are the most common forms of allowances.
I. House Rent Allowance
II. Leave Travel Allowance
III. Conveyance Allowances
IV. Special Allowances
COMPENSATION MANAGEMENT
Here are some key components and considerations in compensation management within
HRM:
1. Job Analysis and Evaluation: Understanding the roles and responsibilities of
different positions within the organization through job analysis and evaluation is
fundamental. This process helps in determining the relative worth of each job, which
serves as the basis for setting compensation levels.
2. Market Analysis: Conducting market research to understand the prevailing
compensation rates for similar roles in the industry and geographical area is crucial.
This ensures that the organization's compensation packages remain competitive to
attract and retain top talent.
3. Compensation Structure Design: Designing a compensation structure involves
determining the mix of fixed and variable pay, as well as benefits and incentives,
based on the organization's goals, budget, and industry standards. This structure
may include base salary, bonuses, commissions, profit-sharing, stock options, and
various employee benefits such as health insurance, retirement plans, and paid time
off.
4. Pay Equity and Fairness: Ensuring fairness and equity in compensation is vital for
maintaining employee morale and avoiding legal issues. This includes addressing pay
gaps based on factors such as gender, race, or ethnicity, and ensuring that
compensation is based on factors such as job performance, skills, and experience
rather than personal characteristics.
5. Performance Management and Pay for Performance: Linking compensation to
performance through performance management systems encourages employee
engagement, productivity, and alignment with organizational goals. Performance-
based pay includes merit increases, performance bonuses, and recognition programs
that reward employees for their contributions.
6. Legal Compliance: Compliance with relevant labor laws and regulations regarding
minimum wage, overtime pay, equal pay, and other compensation-related matters is
essential. HR professionals must stay updated on changes in legislation to ensure the
organization's practices remain compliant.
7. Communication and Transparency: Clear communication about the organization's
compensation philosophy, structure, and policies helps build trust and transparency
with employees. Providing explanations for compensation decisions and
opportunities for feedback can enhance employee satisfaction and engagement.
8. Benefits Administration: Managing employee benefits such as health insurance,
retirement plans, and other perks is an integral part of compensation management.
HR professionals oversee the administration of these benefits, ensure compliance
with regulations, and communicate benefit options to employees.
The base salary component of compensation represents the fixed amount of money that an
employee receives on a regular basis, typically in the form of hourly wages, monthly salaries,
or annual salaries. Base salary is often the largest component of an employee's total
compensation package and serves as the foundation upon which other forms of
compensation, such as bonuses and benefits, may be added.
3. Merit Increases: Merit increases refer to adjustments or increases in base salary that
are based on individual performance, skills, experience, and contributions to the
organization. These increases are typically awarded during performance evaluations
or on an annual basis and are intended to reward employees for their achievements
and encourage ongoing performance improvement.
4. Promotions or Job Changes: Base salary may be adjusted when employees are
promoted to higher-level positions or take on additional responsibilities within the
organization. Promotions or job changes typically come with corresponding increases
in salary to reflect the increased level of responsibility and expectations associated
with the new role.
6. Guaranteed Pay: In some cases, employees may be offered guaranteed pay as part
of their base salary, which ensures a minimum level of income regardless of
performance or other factors. Guaranteed pay may be used to attract and retain key
talent or to provide financial stability for employees in certain roles.
BONUS
Bonuses are additional forms of compensation that organizations may offer to employees as
a reward for achieving specific goals, exceeding performance expectations, or contributing
to the success of the organization. Bonuses can take various forms and may be tied to
individual, team, departmental, or organizational performance metrics.
5. Signing Bonuses: Signing bonuses are offered to new hires as an incentive to accept
a job offer and join the organization. These bonuses are typically paid as a one-time
lump sum payment upon signing an employment contract or shortly after starting
employment. Signing bonuses can help attract top talent, especially in competitive
job markets or for hard-to-fill positions.
7. Holiday Bonuses: Holiday bonuses, also known as year-end bonuses or holiday gifts,
are often given to employees as a token of appreciation during festive seasons or at
the end of the year. These bonuses are typically non-performance-based and may be
provided as cash bonuses, gift cards, or other gifts to celebrate the holiday season
and show gratitude for employees' hard work and dedication throughout the year.
COMMISSIONS
Commissions are a form of variable compensation that employees receive based on their
sales performance or other specific achievements. Different types of commissions structures
exist, and organizations may choose the one that best aligns with their goals, industry, and
sales model.
Incentives
1. Monetary Incentives:
o Performance Bonuses: Additional payments awarded to employees based on
achieving specific performance targets, such as sales quotas, production
goals, or key performance indicators (KPIs).
o Profit Sharing: Distribution of a portion of the company's profits among
employees, often based on predetermined formulas or profit-sharing
agreements.
o Stock Options or Equity Grants: Offering employees the opportunity to
purchase company stock at a predetermined price or granting them shares of
company stock as part of their compensation package.
o Commission: Providing sales or revenue-based commissions to employees for
generating sales or bringing in new business.
2. Non-Monetary Incentives:
o Recognition and Awards: Publicly acknowledging and rewarding employees
for their achievements, contributions, or milestones through certificates,
plaques, or verbal praise.
o Flexible Work Arrangements: Offering flexibility in work schedules, remote
work options, or compressed workweeks to accommodate employees'
personal needs and preferences.
o Career Development Opportunities: Providing opportunities for professional
growth and advancement, such as training programs, mentoring, coaching, or
tuition reimbursement.
o Special Perks and Privileges: Offering additional benefits or privileges to
employees, such as extra vacation days, access to company amenities (e.g.,
gym facilities), or discounted products or services.
o Employee Recognition Programs: Implementing formal programs to
recognize and reward employees for their contributions, such as "Employee
of the Month" awards or peer-to-peer recognition systems.
o Team Building Activities: Organizing team-building events, social gatherings,
or recreational activities to foster camaraderie, collaboration, and a positive
work environment.
o Wellness Programs: Providing wellness initiatives and incentives to support
employees' physical and mental well-being, such as gym memberships,
health screenings, or wellness challenges.
o Work-Life Balance Initiatives: Offering policies or programs to help
employees balance their work responsibilities with their personal lives, such
as flexible hours, parental leave, or sabbaticals.
Perks
Perks, or workplace benefits beyond salary, are offered by companies to attract and retain
employees, enhance job satisfaction, and promote work-life balance. These perks can vary
widely depending on the organization's culture, industry, size, and budget.
3. Financial Benefits:
o Retirement Plans: Offering employer-sponsored retirement savings plans,
such as 401(k) plans, with employer matching contributions or profit-sharing
options.
o Stock Options or Equity Grants: Providing employees with opportunities to
purchase company stock at discounted prices or receive equity grants as part
of their compensation package.
o Financial Counseling or Education: Offering financial planning resources,
workshops, or one-on-one counseling sessions to help employees manage
their finances and plan for the future.
3. Tax Benefits: Contributions to EPF are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C
of the Income Tax Act, up to a certain limit.
4. Withdrawal: Employees can withdraw their EPF savings upon retirement,
resignation, or in case of certain specified circumstances such as buying a house,
medical emergencies, education, etc. However, there are specific rules and
conditions governing withdrawals.
5. Online Services: The EPFO provides various online services to facilitate easy access
to EPF information, including checking balance, accessing statements, and submitting
claims.
Expatriate Management
Expatriate management refers to the process of managing employees who are working in a
country other than their home country, commonly known as expatriates. This involves
various activities and considerations to ensure the success and well-being of these
employees while they work abroad.
1. Global Talent Acquisition: Multinationals often seek the best talent worldwide.
Expatriate assignments allow them to tap into a global talent pool, ensuring access
to individuals with the necessary skills and expertise, regardless of geographic
location.