In this week’s issue we will discuss “The
Evolution of Human Resources and What the Future has in Store”
By Lindsay Edelson, November 2007
Human Resources is a
position that has been within companies and organizations for decades. The
difference is the perception of human resources today compared to the how it
was viewed 10 or more years ago.
Human resources
started as a position that took care of the hiring paper work and
administrative tasks, it has developed into a key strategic partner of an
organizations decision making especially when it comes to the diversity of the
workforce.
This article is
going to review the past, present, and potential future for human resources in
the organization.
Human Resources
in the PAST
Human resources
began in an organization as the support system.
It was for hiring, firing, and paperwork consisting of employee
benefits. The administrative tasks that
needed to be complete in order to keep the organization afloat. They dealt with
the people mostly when issues arose. This is where the negative viewpoints of
human resources arose.
In the past human
resources goals were trickled down by top management and their work was to be
in line with the goals set forth by top management. They were the link between
the employees and the executives. Their job was to deal with the employees and
relay the messages of top management down to the field positions.
“Behind the scenes”
was often a phrase used for human resource managers. Many employees and top
management felt this way about human resource managers, but for different
reasons. Employees at the lower levels thought human resource managers were
hiding from facing the facts of raising issues in the workplace including,
benefits, safety, and pay. Top management considered human resources to be
“behind the scenes” because they did not affect a company’s bottom line,
decision making, or goals. They were simply there to complete those
administrative tasks assigned.
Human Resource departments used to complete tasks that are now being outsourced by companies because paying an outsider to complete them is cheaper then paying a salaried employee.
Human Resources
NOW
Human Resources in
an organization today has changed its effect on how the company will conduct
its every day business. Human Resources now has the ability to affect a
companies long term strategic planning, the ability to affect employees in a
positive way, and finally the affect the diversity of the workplace.
HR and
Strategic Planning, Today
Human resources most
prevalent change in the workplace is their ability to positively affect and
give input of the companies strategic planning and long term goals being made.
With the
ever-changing workplace and the increase of diversity in the workplace, human
resources has become a critical role. They have to face the issues related to
discrimination both racial and sexual. HR managers also must know how to handle
sexual harassment cases which vary by company and state depending on whether
they are public, private, or their location. HR managers are required to know
the laws and policies abiding these issues because they are now the managers in
the company who deal with these cases. They have the ability to help a company
through a tough situation or they can hinder the reputation of a company,
depending upon how they handle the issue.
HR’s Ability
to Positively Affect Employees, Today
Human Resources has
evolved from administrative tasks to reaching out to employees in a positive
way. They are now the link between top management and the employees concerns.
Through employee benefits, hiring, firing, labor relations, employee relations,
and training, HR now reaches out and touches each employee in several ways.
This has helped them move from behind the scenes to front line managing. Taking
the employees opinions and bringing them to the surface for top level
executives to understand and consider.
Employees no longer
have a negative view when they think of an HR manager. They now know they can
go to their HR manager and they will be listened to.
Human Resources has
the ability to financially affect the bottom line of a company by effectively
using the employees skills to their advantage.
HR’s Affect on
Diversity in the Workplace, Today
Diversity over the
past decades has become an increasing concern and improvement in the workplace
at the same time. Without diversity and without complying with the Equal Employment
Opportunity Commissions laws and policies companies undermine many lawsuits and
reputation hindrances. Diversity has become a strong part of the recruiting
aspect of HR. HR managers are now required to ensure they are searching
properly for employees and extending themselves to those areas of minorities in
a more accessible manner. Not only are recruiting aspects being affected, but
also treatment in the workplace has adjusted over the past years drastically.
Human resources now offers diversity training for new and existing employees to
not only help the employees but also to cover themselves in the event of any
diversity cases arising. An employer can now use their diversity training
course as a defense in any rising law suits.
Diversity also
affects human resources because they have the ability to help increase
diversity among the workplace to meet the needs of their consumers. This affects
the long term strategic planning. By keeping the workplace diverse, employers
and HR managers have the ability to meet customer’s needs more readily.
Bringing together a
diverse workplace brings new ideas and ways of completing goals and assignments.
Having more diverse minds coming together to meet the same goals presents new
efficient and effective ways of meeting customers needs and completing assigned
tasks.
Human Resources
today affects all aspects of the company and is only beginning to aid in the
long term strategic planning and decision making of the corporate strategy.
Human Resources
in the FUTURE
Technology is the
key to the future of human resources. The expanding of the human resource
department in its aid of strategic planning will increase as technology for the
department increases. Technology has increased the efficiency and effectiveness
of HR by creating HRIS databases to complete work thoroughly. Recruiting is now
done through databases to help minimize the agony of searching, by hand,
through resumes to find the right employee. Recruiters are now able to search
by key words to save time in the hiring process.
Another new and
upcoming aspect of HR that will affect the future of the department is
diversity. The workplace over the past years has become increasingly diverse,
but with a more diverse environment companies will no longer be able to avoid
diversity in the workplace. They can use the diversity to help reach their
customer base. By selecting employees that mirror your customer base an
organization is gaining competitive advantage and power over their competition.
They will more readily meet their customer’s needs. This has begun today but is
expected to grow rapidly over the next few years.
Yet another change
for the future of human resources will be the dominating gender in top level
management positions. Trends are showing changes in job preferences for men and
women. More women will be in top management positions, while men may be
choosing to teach and nurse more often.
Finally, Human
Resources of the future is going to face a major change in the workforce in
general. With baby boomers retiring and a newer, less experienced generation
coming into play, the human resource department of companies is going to face
hiring dilemmas, or they will begin to see the trend of outsourcing increase.
Human Resources over
the past decades has evolved from administrative tasks to key players in the
strategic planning and corporate strategy of organizations. They now have a say
in the boardroom because they have the ability to financially affect the bottom
line of the company with the decisions they make for both the short term and
long term strategies.
INTERNSHIP
OPPORTUNITIES
Company: Bancroft NeuroHealth Location:
Period: Spring
Company Information:
Founded
in 1883 by
Internship
Description:
We
currently have an opportunity for two Human Resource Interns. Internships are
available during every semester. Hours are flexible to student schedule.
Positions Available:
REQUIREMENTS:
Candidate must be dependable and reliable, must be able to work independently at times.
Must be a team player.
Must be able to meet company policies and procedures.
Must be patient and able to work well with clients.
Must have a good sense of humor.Must have effective
verbal and written communication and interpersonal skills required.
Effective organization, prioritization, and time
management skills required.
ALL CANDIDATES WILL REQUIRE A DRUG TESTING AND BACKGROUND CHECK.
ADDITIONAL REQUIREMENTS:
SKILLS AND ABILITIES:
Adapting To Change, Attention To Detail, Communication, Flexibility/Managing Stress, Initiative, Integrity, Planning & Organizing, Problem Solving, Service Orientation and Teamwork.
Company: FOX 29 WTXF-Philadelphia
Location:
Career Internship Period: Spring
Company Information:
Internships
at FOX 29: WTXF-FOX 29 Philadelphia's internship program is a unique
opportunity to explore the broadcast industry, and to enhance the educational
experience with practical application.
Internship Description:
Minimum Qualifications:
Junior or Senior status in an accredited college or
university, majoring in related fields of study, the ability to contribute a
minimum of 16 hours per week, and reliable transportation to our facility in
All internships are non-paid, and may be taken only
for college credit (academic credit for the internship is required).
Arrangements to obtain credit must be made with your Advisor or Internship
Coordinator prior to beginning your internship.
Your advisor or Internship Coordinator will be
required to certify your eligibility for academic credit.
Positions Available:
*Assist with Affirmative Action Reports
*Assist in screening resumes
*Assist with internship recruitment