‘Make clear distinction between HR and HR function’

Our Marketing Bureau in New Delhi

While human resource management (HRM) can and should be measured, companies should, however, go in for a balanced approach in order to avoid the hazard of going in for excessive measurement. This was stated by Dr MB Athreya, management advisor, Athreya Management Systems, while addressing the HRM Summit on Measuring the Impact of HRM, organised by the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).

The session dealt with the topic ‘Can HR be Measured?’ and speakers included Dr Athreya, Mr Prem Kamath, head, management resources, HLL and Mr Sanjiv Anand, regional director, Cedar Enterprise Solutions.

Chalking out the hazards of excess measurement, Dr Athreya said it could make the entire process myopic and mechanical, with an over emphasis on numbers rather than quality. Other potholes: looking for scapegoats and passing the buck if numbers are not right. This makes a balanced approach imperative.

Stressing the importance of HRM, Dr Athreya said top management needs to devote at least 30 per cent of its time to HR issues, facilitate measurement without distortion and highlight HR issues assertively.

There should be a clear distinction between HR and the HR function. HR activity is essentially the function of the line managers, while the HR department should act as a faclitator and chalk out individual role measures. How effectively it transfers the ownership function to the line managers is a measure of HR’s effectiveness, he said. He also chalked out the qualitative, quantitative and financial measures for the effectiveness of HRM.

Stressing the role of HR in communication, Mr Prem Kamath of HLL, said unfortunately in Indian companies there is a reluctance to share knowledge and work in teams. Tackling the cultural barriers to knowledge sharing is a major area HR needs to address urgently. HR also needs to convince all business and unit heads to become HR heads, help manage change of culture and be clued into what’s happening in the company and be inextricably linked with its fortunes, he said. The role of HR has expanded from being an administrative expert to being an employee champion, change agent and strategic partner.

Earlier, inaugurating the summit, Dr Karan Singh, MP, said, “The challenge is to combine a corporate career with one’s spiritual quest to achieve a holistic harmony in today’s global society. CEOs and HR professionals must stress constant skill upgradation of the work force and foster a culture of life-long learning.’’