What are the major challenges for HR Department now a days in terms of its role in an organization?

The business environment has become very fluid and turbulent in the recent times. Today’s HR department has a lot of challenges to face in the form of changing composition and attitudes of the work force, growing emphasis on quality of products and services and the quality of work life, fast paced technological changes, government policies, etc. 

After the economy has opened up to the global challenge, the markets have become very competitive and businesses have been forced to become more serviced-oriented. Majority of the employees now belongs to the category of knowledge workers. They are in demand. In this scenario, it is a very challenging task to attract, mould, develop, and retain valuable human resources.

To reinventing themselves to stay ahead of today’s competition, companies have completely revamped their organizational culture and structure. Tall hierarchies and communication barriers have been dismantled. Business decisions are no longer taken within the confines of the board rooms. They are taken in the place of work, on the shop-floor or in the market. It is HR departments’ responsibility to lead this workplace revolution. They have to infuse fresh life into the old and archaic systems which are no longer relevant.

Customers have become more quality conscious and are always on the lookout for the best bargain. Every company has to continuously strive to improve the quality of its products and services if it has to survive in this highly competitive market. This orientation requires a significant change in corporate culture which again to be fostered by the HR department.

Many believe that it is important to be lean and mean to survive. The concept of ‘job security’ has become outdated as no employee knows when he/she might be asked to leave the job. Companies are attempting to eliminate discrimination based on religion, gender, ethnic background etc. at the workplace. Balancing the demands of family and work has become a major challenge for workers and their employers. This has forced companies to become more family-friendly. Flexible work hours is one of the major demands of the knowledge workers today.

Today, we see many companies using wireless technology for faster and dependable decision making. The use of computer technology for better data management and communication is now pervasive in all organizations. Organizations have realized the importance and benefits of new and better technologies. They have decided to invest in such technologies and also train their employees in adapting to this new technology. Training and development of employees has to be a continuous process in any organization, if it has to survive and progress. HR has to gear up to meet these challenges effectively by being more innovative and proactive.

Relationship and empowering the emloyees