HR Role During Economy Crisis
HR must support the top management to effectively align the human capital resource to the organisation business plan and needs. Meanwhile, HR have to play the role of ensuring the human side of human capital management is not neglected. HR, therefore, has numerous roles to play, especially during a crisis, as follows:
As a Business Partner
HR must fully understand the organisation’s business direction and strategic business plan. HR must also be able to evaluate and justify every aspect of human capital management. HR must be able to establish HR measurements especially if an organisation is planning to conduct a rightsizing exercise, or in any other form of restructuring exercise. HR measurements provide an understanding of the impact of human capital contribution to the business, identify areas for improvement and develop corrective action plans. Example of HR measurements inclusive of total human capital value, employee productivity and performance level, employee engagement and satisfaction level, ROI of training and development, etc.
Bearer of Good or Bad News
It is critical for management to keep an open line of communication with the employees, in order to avoid the creation of rumours and workplace gossip which can potentially create a lot of fear and panic among the employees. The employees will want to know the actual situation of the organisation which they work with, the direction of the organisation, and how every decision making of the organisation affect them.
As a Counsellor
Everyone needs a shoulder to lean on or a good listener, and when it comes to employees, it’s HR. HR must acknowledge the employees’ feeling, and provide them with assurance. HR must understand that the one thing that every employee wants is honesty from the employer. HR must also regularly gauge and boost the employees’ motivation levels and morale.
source: i-HR
