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Function of Human Resource
NOTES
Self-Instructional 10 Material
UNIT 2 FUNCTION OF HUMAN
RESOURCE
Structure 2.0 Introduction 2.1 Objectives 2.2 Role and Structure of Human Resource Function in Organizations 2.2.1 Staff Role of HR Department 2.3 Challenges in Human Resource Management 2.3.1 At the Organizational Level 2.3.2 At the Workplace Level 2.3.3 At HRM Department Level 2.4 Answers to Check Your Progress Questions 2.5 Summary 2.6 Key Words 2.7 Self Assessment Questions and Exercises 2.8 Further Readings
2.0 INTRODUCTION
The role of human resource management is to plan, develop and implement policies and programmes intended to enable expeditious use of an organisation's human capital. It is the part of management which is interested in the people at work and with their relationship within an organisation. In this unit, we will discuss the role and structure of human resource function in organizations. We will also focus on the challenges in HRM.
2.1 OBJECTIVES
After going through this unit, you will be able to: Understand the role of human resource function in organizations Discuss the structure of human resource function in organizations Describe the challenges in HRM
2.2 ROLE AND STRUCTURE OF HUMAN
RESOURCE FUNCTION IN ORGANIZATIONS
The internal organization of the HR department varies widely depending upon the nature and size of the enterprise, its management philosophy and its external environment. In a small firm, there may be an HR section within the office. In a medium-sized firm the HRM department may consist of HR manager, personnel
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Self-Instructional Material 11
Function of Human Resource officers and personnel assistants or clerks. However in a large organization, the HRM department may consist of several functionaries and below every officer there will be clerical staff.
Two issues become relevant in a discussion on organization of an HR department. They are (i) place of the HR department in overall set-up and (ii) composition of the HR department itself.
In this set-up, a low-placed employee may be entrusted with the task of attending to HR functions. However, a large HR department, is headed by general manager under whom personnel manager, administration manager, manager industrial relations work.
2.2.1 Staff Role of HR Department
It is said that HRM is a line manager’s responsibility but a staff function. Since management is getting things done through and with people, responsibility of managing people rests with line managers. The HR department provides specialized advice, assistance and information to line executives so that they may concentrate on their respective functions. The staff role of the HR department in relation to other departments may be analysed as follows:
(a) Policy formulation: The HR department assists and counsels other departments in policy formulation. It prepares programmes concerning recruitment, selection, training, appraisal, and so on, of employees in consultation with other departments. (b) Advising: The HR department advices all other departments in areas relating to the management of human resources, industrial relations, and so on. The department acts in an advisory capacity offering suggestions. (c) Assistance and service: The HR department provides secretarial and executive support services like securing and scrutinizing applications, conducting tests and interviews, arranging orientation and training. It helps in developing collaboration between management and trade unions. (d) Monitoring and control: The HR department evaluates actual performance in the light of established personnel policies and procedures and suggests appropriate corrective actions whenever necessary. The department conducts personnel audit and helps other departments in proper implementation of personnel policies and programmes.
2.3 CHALLENGES IN HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT
Bhatia classifies challenges in HRM under three categories:
Challenges at organizational level, Challenges at workplace level, and Challenges at HRM department level.
