Choosing an area of emphasis is one of the most important decisions that you will make as a business student. The human resource management emphasis allows students to focus on the essential functions of human resources within organisations. There are different areas of human resource management emphasis, and each one is important to the organisation’s overall success. This blog post will discuss some critical areas covered in this program. We will also highlight some of the benefits that students can expect to gain from pursuing this career.
What is the Area of Emphasis In Human Resource Management?
The human resource management field is vast and continues to grow. There are different areas of human resource management emphasis that an aspiring HR needs to choose from. With the different areas of focus, an HR can specialise in a specific area they are passionate about or feel would be the most beneficial to their career.
Also Read: Nature and Objectives of Human Resource Management
Let us discuss some of the significant areas of human resource management emphasis:
Employee Safety And Security Emphasis
One of human resource management’s most important roles is ensuring that employees are safe and secure while at work. It includes creating and enforcing safety policies, investigating accidents, and providing training on safety procedures. It is among the most potential areas of human resource management that hold great possibilities for HR students.
It focuses on minimising the risks in workplaces by identifying potential hazards and implementing safety measures to protect employees from injuries, accidents, and exposure to harmful substances. The crucial tasks involved in employee safety and security emphasis are:
- Background inspection: The human resource department is responsible for conducting background checks on all new employees. It helps to ensure that only qualified and trustworthy individuals are hired.
- Enforcing safety policies: In this area of human resources, managers create and implement safety policies in the workplace. These policies help to minimise the risks of accidents and injuries.
- Business contingency plan: Human resource managers develop contingency plans for businesses in the event of a natural disaster or other emergencies. This helps to ensure that companies can continue to operate even in the face of adversity.
- Risk Management: Risk management is another crucial area of human resource management. HR managers identify and assess risks to the company and its employees. They then develop and implement strategies to minimise these risks. Risk management is a critical function of human resource management as it helps to protect the company from potential liabilities.
- Theft and Fraud Protection: The human resource department is responsible for protecting the company from theft and fraud. It includes investigating suspected cases of theft or fraud, implementing security measures to prevent theft and fraud, and training employees on how to prevent and detect theft and fraud.
Employee Relations Emphasis
The human resource management emphasis on employee relations provides students with the skills necessary to manage employee benefits and compensation, labour relations, and compliance with employment laws. This emphasis prepares students for careers in human resource management and makes them attractive candidates for positions in other industries.
Some of the crucial tasks involved in employee relations emphasis:
- Codes of Conduct: Organisations have codes of conduct that employees must adhere to. These codes of conduct may be specific to the organisation or industry, and human resource managers must be familiar with them to enforce them.
- Counselling: human resource managers often act as counsellors, mediators, and arbitrators between employees. They may provide counselling services to employees who are experiencing personal or work-related problems.
- Investigations: With the increasing number of compliance laws, human resource managers must be skilled in investigating potential violations. HR managers are called upon to investigate allegations of harassment or other forms of discrimination.
- Performance management: When employees are not meeting the expectations of their position, it is human resource managers must take corrective action. It may involve providing coaching and mentoring, as well as conducting performance reviews.
- Recognition Program: While human resource managers are responsible for ensuring that employees are meeting their goals, they also play a role in recognising and rewarding employees for their achievements. It may include creating and administering employee recognition programs.
Organizational Development Emphasis
In human resource management, organisational development (OD) is the process of planned change in an organisation’s values, norms, behaviours, processes, and structures to align them with the organisation’s mission, vision, and strategy. The goal of OD is to make organisations more effective by improving communication, teamwork, and employee engagement.
Some common OD interventions include changes to the organisation’s structure, culture, or processes. For example, an organisation might implement a new strategy for performance reviews or create a team-based system to encourage collaboration.
OD is a complex and multi-faceted process, and it can be challenging to know where to start. However, these are a few critical areas of focus that can help make your OD efforts more successful:
- Change Management: It is a critical component of OD. Change management is about planning, implementing, and monitoring changes in an organisation. It helps ensure that all changes are made in a controlled and safe manner and that the goals of the organisation are met.
- Corporate governance: It is deemed as the system of rules, practices, and processes that an organisation uses to ensure that it is operated in a fair, transparent, and accountable manner. Good corporate governance helps build trust and confidence in an organisation, making it more resilient to change.
- Mentoring: It is a process in which an experienced individual (the mentor) provides guidance and support to another individual (the mentee). It can help employees to develop new skills, gain confidence, and progress in their careers.
- Leadership development: Leadership development is the process of helping leaders to improve their skills and knowledge. It can involve training, coaching, and mentoring. Leadership development can help organisations build a talent pipeline and create a leadership culture.
- Cultural integration: The human resource manager needs to understand and be able to manage the effects of cultural differences in the workplace. Cultural integration is the process of bringing employees from different cultures and helping them understand and appreciate each other’s differences. It will help in creating a more cohesive and productive workplace.
Rewards And Benefits Emphasis
One of the most critical aspects of HRM is the rewards and benefits system. A well-designed rewards and benefits system can help to motivate employees and encourage them to stay with the company. It helps in designing a system that is fair and equitable and that takes into account the different needs of employees.
Also Read: Evolution Of Human Resource Management: Past and Future
Rewards and benefits come in many different forms, and choosing the right mix of rewards is vital to suit your company and your employees. Some common types of rewards include:
Incentives: Incentives are a great way to motivate employees and encourage them to achieve specific goals. All these incentives can be used to reward employees for meeting targets, reaching sales targets, or for any other desired behaviour.
Pension Management: Pension is the provision of income during retirement. It is a significant benefit that can help to attract and retain employees. When designing a pension scheme, it is essential to consider the needs of your employees and your budget.
Payroll: It is the process of distributing and calculating employee wages. It is a complex task that requires careful planning and management. Payroll must be accurate and timely and must comply with all relevant laws and regulations.
Many other types of rewards and benefits can be used to motivate and encourage employees. The key is to choose the correct mix of rewards to suit your company and your employees.
There is an ocean of information when it comes to selecting your area of human resource management emphasis. However, the catch is to pick the most reliable and insightful resource that can offer you practice-based learning.
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Things To Consider While Choosing The Area of Emphasis In Human Resource Management
Human resource management is a field that is constantly evolving. Owing to the ever-changing landscape of the workforce, it is essential to be up-to-date on the latest trends and practices. Check out the crucial things to consider while choosing the area of human resource management emphasis:
The Size of the Company
Human resource management functions vary greatly depending on the size of the company. For example, a small business might only need one human resource manager, while a large corporation might have an entire human resource department.
The Industry
The HRM functions required for a manufacturing company will differ from those required for a service-based company. It is essential to choose an area of emphasis that is specific to the industry in which the company operates.
The Company Culture
HRM functions will be different in a company with a traditional culture versus a company with a more liberal culture. When choosing an area of focus, it is vital to consider the company culture and how it might impact the human resource management functions required.
Scope of Opportunity
There are many human resource management positions available in both the private and public sectors. HRM offers a broad scope of opportunities. One can choose to specialise in a particular area or function of human resource management, or one can choose to take a more generalist approach. With the proper education and experience, human resource management can be an enriching career.
Benefits and Compensation
HRM is a field that offers excellent benefits and compensation. Human resource managers typically earn a high salary, and the position often comes with other benefits such as health insurance and a retirement plan. While picking the area of human resource management to specialise in, it is essential to keep the benefits and compensation in mind.
Why Is It Important to Choose An Area of Emphasis In Human Resource Management?
Human resource management is a broad field that covers many different areas of expertise. By choosing an area of human resource management emphasis, you will be able to specialise in a specific area that interests you. This will make you more approachable to employers and help you advance in your career.
You can present yourself as a proficient HR candidate who can address specific organisational human resource management issues. By specialising in human resource management, you will also better understand how to manage and motivate employees. It is a critical skill that all employers value.
If you are interested in human resource management, then you should consider choosing an emphasis within the field. You cannot go wrong with human resource management as it is a field that is always demanding and will continue to grow in the future. Human resource management is a career vertical that offers many opportunities for career growth and advancement. Choose an area of emphasis to specialise in and start your journey towards a successful career in human resource management today!
The Bottom Line
Human resource management is a prosperous field of study with many areas of emphasis to choose from. By taking the time to understand the different areas of human resource management emphasis, students can find the proper focus for their career goals. With the vast array of human resource management jobs available, there is sure to be a perfect fit for everyone. The job role will vary depending on the area of human resource management that you choose to study. The roles and responsibilities in human resource management differ in each focus area. Hence it becomes imperative to specialise in a concerned area of emphasis.
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