Human Resources

People are the most valuable asset of a company. Management in HR is all about this.

This view is now accepted almost in all sectors and industries. MBAs in this field generally specialize in Compensation, where they decide on the packages to be given to employees if they have a knack for number crunching or in Personnel where they are in charge of Recruitment and Selection, Job Analysis, Performance Appraisals and the Grievance Redressal Cells. They may also be in charge of Employee training and development.

Some new areas in HRD are Change Management, when a company adopts new management practices or after an Acquisition or a Merger. Other specific sections are Affirmative Action Planning and Equal Employment Opportunities. These areas ensure that there is no discrimination in recruitment and that it is done only on merit basis. These areas are not very prevalent in India, except in the Public sector where Affirmative Action takes the form of Reservations for SC/ST/OBCs.

Most people say that HR Management is the management of the next millennium. That is, if you can manage your people well, they, in turn, will take care of your organization well. This has become the most important specialization in management over the recent years.

HRM is all about helping a company reach its goals by focusing on people management.

The two broad categories of HRM are:

1. Plant (Factory) Personnel

The Plant Personnel function of HRD deals with maintaining healthy and positive industrial relations. The activities here include recruitment, payrolls, appraisals, administration, and all matters concerned with the Workers’ Union. A stint in Plant Personnel offers exposure to handling highly sensitive issues such as discipline and union negotiation. Top firms like ITC, HLL, and Coke specifically recruit candidates for the personnel management function.

2. Corporate Personnel

Corporate Personnel deals with HR activities in the corporate set-up that includes all managerial and supervisory staff. It covers all aspects from an employee’s entry to exit, such as recruitment, attendance, leaves, pay, appraisals, audit and exit interviews. A lot of modern HR practices such as ESOP, 360-degree feedback and flexible timings have been path-breaking initiatives by some bright HR manager. You should possess good communication and inter-personal skills and present yourself as accessible, competent and charismatic. Two well-known HR firms are William Mercer and Noble & Hewitt. Apart from these all the top firms need HR professionals as it is one of the basic service functions in every company.

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