Human Resources Describe how the focus of HRM has changed over the last 100 years.

Give an example of how HR can be a strategic partner for an organization.

Outline and discuss what you consider to be the significant steps in recruiting a new employee.

Describe how the focus of HRM has changed over the last 100 years.

Though no definite records are available, it is widely believed that the first HR department was established in 1901 at The National Cash Register Company after a bitter strike. Since then there has been a lot of changes in the way organizations view HR and in the roles and responsibilities of human resource management.

The HR focus at the onset if the 20th century saw acute labor unrest following the infamous employment-at-will doctrine as well as the yellow-dog contracts which gave rights to employers to lay off employees at will. The primary focus of the HR department at that time was primary to cater to the basic needs of the employees so that there were no strikes. HR departments dealt with labor unions to negotiate wage-related matters and other work-related differences only.

The minimum wage act, also known as the Fair Labor Standards Act of 1938, herald a change in the focus of HR. the focus in this era was primarily on statutory compliance and ensuring employee health and safety aspects. Performance, succession management and training and development were the focus.

In the 21st century, the HR focus shifted from traditional ones to a more proactive role in decision making. HR was part of the management and was part of serious decisions like downsizing, recruitment, cost of employee management, additional benefits like insurance and pension became the major focus of HR departments. Thus, the HR focus was on the building of organizational capabilities that made use of employee management and strategies for employee development in line with organizational goals.

The information age saw a further change I the focus of HR globalization and proliferation of information models has shifted the focus of HR to managing of employees dispersed around the globe, cultural management of employees and timely allocation of resources. The primary for HR in the information age is to remain above the challenges presented by manpower requirements.

Give an example of how HR can be a strategic...

HR in these times plays a strategic role in supplementing the managers' efforts to align employees to meet the strategic goals of the organization. Instead of the traditional role of just looking after the rolls and attendance of employees, modern HR activities range from equitable assessment of employee performance to motivating them and creating commitment for the organization. The aim of the varied nature of HR department's activities is all aimed to meet the future needs of the company that is necessary to achieve the pre-set long-term or short-term strategic objectives.
HR department also plays a role in creating a strategic competitive advantage for organizations. Employee skills are often a key factor in creating competitive advantage. HR departments identify the strategic skills required by employees and arrange for acquiring them through appropriate training and personality development. Thus, the HE department plays the role of a facilitator who lays emphasis on the relation between the internal resources of a company and their management strategy and performance. In this focus of HR, it believes that on the road to gaining sustained competitive advantage, a good human resource is very critical. Thus, development of adequate strategic skills in the employees and taking measures for employee retention ensures that human resource-based competencies can distinguish organizations from competitors and create competitive advantage which is a strategic goal for most companies.

Outline and discuss what you consider being the significant steps in recruiting a new employee.

The process of recruitment in organizations aims to hire good candidates suitable for specific roles which are beneficial to the organization. The process begins with the setting of the job criteria as well as the parameter and criteria for selection which stand out to be the basis for selection of candidates.

Communicating the message for recruitment is done through advertisement. This is considered to be the second step in the process…