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Effective
handling of human resources |
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Human
resources form an integral component in any business. In fact there is
nothing wrong in saying that the human resources form the backbone of any
organization. Nothing can really match the strength of highly motivated
and enlightened workforce. Human resources are the repository of knowledge
and they provide competitive advantage to any organization.
At this juncture of rapid changes it is very necessary that the
organization retain their manpower for quite a long period. Attrition is a
serious problem, that the organizations face today. This paper deals into
the key aspects by which this serious problem can reduced to a certain
extend.
Key words – Attrition, Understanding Human Resources,
Empowering them, Developing them, maintaining them. Introduction
Today we are living in an era of fast-paced changes-the
changes every where every minute and every second. India has been
following a protectionist policy for a very long time-till the late 1980s.
The 1990s brought about a considerable change by opening up the Indian
markets. This gave a way to liberalization and paved a way for
globalization. The policies of 1991 gave a boost to the foreign
investments. This has changed the entire Indian market scenario.
Now we have come along way. We have moved from a
situation of shortages to a situation of plenty. Mergers acquisitions have
become the buzz word today. The present situation is a cut throat
competition with every organization aiming at higher customer
satisfaction. Presently, organizations are aiming at greater customer
satisfaction, retention and their orientation. This is one side of a coin.
The organizations must also realize the importance of the other side too.
The other side of the coin is been referred to the employees or the human
resources of an organization. Just as customer retention is important for
sustenance of any business, employee retention is important for hassle
free functioning of the organization.
Of all the resources of the organization the most
important is the human resource. While all other resources have a
depreciating character, it is only the human resources that have the
potential for appreciation. As such human resources form an integral
component in any business. In fact there is nothing wrong in saying that
the human resources form the backbone of any organization. Nothing can
really match the strength of highly motivated and enlightened workforce.
At this juncture of rapid changes it is very necessary
that the organization retain their manpower for quite a long period.
Attrition is a serious problem, more commonly seen in IT Industry. Many
companies have been grappling with this problem today. The attrition rate
in India is found to be between 20 – 25 percent. Some companies are even
with an attrition of 30 percent. Mr. V Srinivas, CFO, Satyam Computers
views attrition as a big issue that has to be dealt with immediately.
Boom in the job market high salaries and perks that is
offered, career advancement opportunities etc. are some of the reasons for
the high attrition rate. High attrition rate is quite disastrous for any
organization. It is almost six months when a new employee starts his
contribution. During this period the company invests a lot for his
training and development. Suppose he quits the organization, all that has
been spent on him stands wasted. With plenty of opportunities, the
employees are at a better position. They have many options today. Finding
a new job is not at all difficult for the efficient and deserving.
Employers are waiting for grabbing the services of these experts.
This is what the organizations should realize. If
proper action is not taken, they will loose their most talented assets.
Action here refers to the measures that need to be taken to check the high
attrition rate. A high attrition in an organization is an indication of
something wrong within the organization. This may be with the policies,
the structure, the relationship, the climate or any other factors.
It is very important that every organization realizes
the importance of employee retention. This paper deals with such a
perspective. It delves into various factors that help to retain the human
resource. Gone are the days when people used to switch over the jobs only
for a higher pay. But now situation is different. The present situation
demands a strong mutual trust between employees and the employer. This can
be achieved only when the working environment is conducive and healthy. A
healthy and conducive working environment speaks of many latent factors.
By providing such an environment the company would be able to achieve its
best.
Human beings are complex personalities. They
differ from person to person. This difference is the result of their
attitudes, perceptions, values, norms etc. that they inculcate in the
process of socialization – with family, society, peer group etc. Hence
it is very difficult to predict a common behavior for surety. This
indicates the significance for understanding employees well. Hence it is
very necessary that the employers and the managers do understand the
employees well.
In a working environment, the most un predictive
element is human resource. Their yield and their productivity, all depends
upon how they are moulded by the managers. Hence the managers have an
upheaval task of dealing and moulding their subordinates. The extend of
their productivity depends upon the capability of the managers. The making
up and ruining of an individual and that of an organization, all depends
upon the task master- the manager.
Many a time I have come across such situations,
in which people who never use to work or take up the responsibility, have
emerged as classic workaholics. This is possible, but it all depends upon
the two hands that realize the real worth of the individual. Similarly, a
loyal and sincere worker who is never recognized for his work will slowly
lose interest and may turn unproductive. Hence I repeat that the making
and ruining of an individual depends solely upon his superiors.
Thus the managers can contribute quite a lot to
the organization, if they realize their own duties and responsibilities.
In today's dynamic and ever changing environment it becomes the duty of
every manager to create a good working environment for his subordinates.
If every manager realizes this, there is no doubt that the organization
would break off all its boundaries and emerge successful. In this context
it is important that the managers take the following into consideration:- Let us have a detail look into the following aspects:
LEADING PEOPLE:-
Every manager or supervisor has a definite span of control. He is
totally responsible and accountable to the people under him. To get things
done through these people, manager must understand them well. They should
understand their basic needs, capabilities and their behavior. Techniques to be used by Managers DEVELOPING THEM:-
Manager must realize the importance of the human
resource. It becomes the responsibility of each manager to carve them in
such a way that they best fit the organization. The effective utilization
of human resource depends upon the capability of manager. It all depends
upon how the manager moulds them, carve them and utilize them. In the
process of moulding and carving, the most important task that lies ahead
of managers is to develop them. As such an analysis of the following is
very important: Techniques to be used by the managers
Some of the techniques that can be used by the managers in
this stage are : EMPOWERING THEM
The most important asset like technologies products
etc can be modified and copied by the competitors . But the strength of a
highly and positively motivated workforce has no match . People are in
fact a repository of knowledge and they provide the most competitive
advantage to the organization. Hence it becomes the duty of managers to
understand them and utilize them. Managers can empower their subordinates.
Empowerment actually lubricates the exercise of learning . The
present day organizations are not that simple . They are complex in
nature. Hence its very important that a high degree of decision making
authority is given to the subordinates. Empowerment helps in solving many
intricate day today issues . It changes the mindset of employees by
providing them a room for thinking , visioning and nurturing. There are
multifold benefits of empowerment .Some of them are:- MAINTAINING THEM:
Organizations spend quite a lot in training and development programs
for individuals. Initially investments on employees are quite high, but
their contributions is very low during their initial stages. It takes at
least a year when an employee starts contributing effectively towards an
organization. So it is very important that the workforce is maintained
effectively and efficiently. In maintaining the workforce, working
environment plays an important role.
There has been a shift in the mentality of the human
beings. People are not much worried about salary nowadays. This is because
people are qualified and they have their own worth. They are for sure that
they will get their worth wherever they go. There has been a slight shift
from the employees market. The employees are at much a better position
today. They have a better choice. So they aren't much bothered about
remuneration. They are more worried about the environment in which they
work. They would never let themselves down. They would always like to hold
themselves high. They would like their employers to be more supportive and
trust worthy. Here are some aspects that they feel are necessary to create
a good working environment: Techniques to be used by the managers Conclusion – Attrition is a serious problem that the
organizations face today. This can be reduced if both the management and
the managers realize this. The managers should take in a lead role here.
They should be committed to tune and mould people in such a way that they
best fit the organization. In fact it becomes the duty of every individual
manager to understand his subordinates well. Managers should understand
that their duty is not only restricted to bossing over employees but in
understanding employees ,leading them, developing them, empowering
them and maintaining them. If this realization bestows on every
manager , the organization is sure to succeed. This will help in reducing
the attrition level to a certain extend. Thus I conclude that – the
making or ruining of an organization – all depends on the ability
of managers.
References:
1. Watts .S.Humphrey, " Managing technical people :
Innovation, teamwork and the software process" Addison Wesly, 1996. |
