Task of sustaining a thriving workforce amid dynamic work environment
Every Human Resource manager is faced with the daunting task of managing company and ensuring it has a competitive advantage over others through analytical skills and thriving workforce. HARRISON EDEH writes on the imperative of HR to modern workplace.
This task, analysts say is widely dependent on the ability of the human resource personnel to prepare for the ever changing dynamics demands of the modern workforce in 21st century.
The Task of Human resource managers focuses on planning, directing and coordinating the administrative functions of organizations. They above all oversee the recruiting, interviewing, and hiring of new staff; consult with top executives on strategic planning; while also serving as a link between an organisation’s management and it’s employees.
Concerned by this huge task of the human resource personnel, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management of Nigeria arising from its 50th Annual conference are not unaware of the dynamics in the global changing environment of work place and ensuring a thriving workforce priortised .
The persistent dynamism that characterized an ever changing work environment has led human resource professionals to ask fundamental questions about sustaining a thriving work environment. The key questions goes thus: How can we build for an unknown future? How can tomorrow’s workforce be sustained and what does career success mean in today’s world?
While proferring solutions to the continues dynamism that characterised modern day work environment, Kate Bravery of Mercer Consulting -a resource person at the master class counselled employers and even employees on the need to develop a globally competitive mindset about their career through capacity building which would enable them have a competitive edge in their business.
Kate admonished those employed to ensure continuos reskilling to remain relevant.
“Marketing and human resources need to work for customer value proposition to strike a balance in the work force of the future.”
On where human resource managers need to focus their attention on in line with 21st century demands, she said, “They must ensure a thriving organisation,a resilient and agile workforce, and a good societal impact of the working populace.”
According to the human resource expert “A thriving workforce is diverse and adaptive, while also being inclusive and growth focused, while expressing greater interest in the physical, social and psychological well being of their workforce.”
Speaking on the theme: ‘Stand out’ at the conference, the human resource expert said it is a tall order for human resources managers to ensure the need to update whatever curriculum they are using for their employees to enable them retain tomorrow’s work force.
She stated further that for human resources managers to have a thriving working environment, they must be able to cultivate the culture of trust, transparency, approachability and connectiveness with their work force.
She remarked further that a thriving workforce is confidence of the future, enthusiastic about their job, willingness to even recommend people to the company they work, and expressing the desire to stay in the job due largely to the conducive environment.
“As human resource managers, we must be adequately prepare for the future with a global mindset, while ensuring that the workforce have a greater sense of security regarding their finances, which would enable them to give out their bests “she said.
Speaking in the same vein on how Mental health affects a thriving workforce, Maymunah Kadiria Mental Health Physician who spoke on the topic ‘Wellness and Depression at workplace’said human resource officials must find a way to connect more with their workforce in order to get the best from them.
“Don’t allow them to see you as not being part of them.For some people their workplace is their second home, if you puncture their emotion, you have deflated the energy they exert at work”
Speaking further, she urged human resource persons to find a balance with their work and their personality traits so that it doesn’t affect delivery at work place.
“Have a stress journal and analyses yourself .You must find a way to address your personal challenges to ensure optimal performance at workplace .You must create that balance that makes you deliver the best”she adds further.
Also speaking, Boluwaji Apanpa, Senior Manager, People’s Services at KPMG while speaking on the topic: Leveraging Total Rewards Strategy to drice a highly engagement workforce,he said,”
“Having emerged from the 2015/2016 economic recession, many organisations are making critical changes to strengthen profitability and risk management framework.”
Also,he noted that companies that are able to master the delicate balance between cutting costs to survive and investing for potential future growth will be best positioned to take up emerging opportunities “he said.
While emphasising the importance of reskilling,he said downsizing options are always embraced when companies face distress economic conditions.
While giving an insight on how companies respond to tough economic distress, using KPMG survey reports, he said, “When companies faces tough economic conditions budget mostly freezes at 28%,outsourcing 16%,recruitment freezes at 57%,Salary cut gets 11% attention, salary freezes at 29% while downsizing and right sizing is put at 44%”
He however admonished human resource managers to embrace a reward system that energises and sustains a thriving workforce.