Teamwork Aspects in Human Resource Management - Essay Example

?Human Resource Management TEAMWORK A team is defined as a group of people who work together to achieve a common goal. Team building not only helps in developing better working relationships but also helps in improving the team’s performance and efficiency. Team building helps in improving job satisfaction, motivation, increasing productivity, communication and trust within the team. (Definition of team building, n.d) The team that I worked with recently was very successful as we had good coordination and developed number of goals. The team was very positive with everyone’s suggestions and it further developed a great bond between all the participants. Everyone in the team was involved and there was a great understanding of each person’s strength and weakness. (Definition of team building, n.d) We had adopted Bruce Tuckman’s Team theory where the team’s development was split into 4 phases. Creating a structure for the group where each team member would fit in by carefully assessing each person’s ability. The team members attempt to have a leader within the group who would direct the team members. The team begins to establish rules, goals, objectives and work as a team together The last phase is the performance of the task by the team members. It is at this phase that the team starts growing together. (Teamwork Theories, n.d) There are different ways in which the team can be more successful. The employee’s attitude towards work can affect the outcome and negatively impact the end customers. The team leader needs to ensure that the employees are co-cooperative which will increase teamwork. Respect is a very important aspect in work environment. As a team manager, one needs to understand and respect employee’s feelings, frustrations and respond appropriately than reacting to an employee’s non-productivity. The second most important way for the team to be successful is listen to the employee’s problems and not criticize or discount the issue. Acknowledging and communication helps the employees feel valued. The third most important factor that makes the team very successful is to engage the employees to do their work. If the company trusts the employees and if the employees are comfortable with the workplace, then the next level is to make the employees actively participate in decision making, publicly acknowledge the employees ideas and feedback. (Marlene, 2011) JOB ANALYSIS The primary role of a class representative to the board of studies is to be the point of contact between the academic leaders, students and parents. This role is voluntary and this nomination would be for an academic year. An effective class representative would provide valuable suggestions and contribution to the school community. This also includes several personal benefits which include many people, exposure and experience. This also provides a good platform to exercise leadership and initiate change. It also provides an opportunity to voice out opinions, concerns, feedback regarding the school. A certificate of recognition for the contributions and leadership skills would also be provided by the school thus helping them in their future jobs. (Class Representative- Job Description, n.d) Class representatives play a very important role in the school community. They are very instrumental in keeping the class in contact with the parents association and the school management. The main requirements or the prerequisites of being a school representative is to Be enthusiastic Hold good relations with the management and the class members Have good leadership skills Represent the class members views and feedback The role of a school representative involves a great amount of responsibility and leadership. The class representative needs to bring forward any opinions, improvement, suggestions and feedback from the class and take it to the management. The other aspect is to get feedback from the class representative regarding the policies, fees structure, and academic environment, based on the feedback from the school representative; the best decisions are made by the management and board of directors of Middlesex University. There are number of responsibilities given to the voluntary school representative and this includes the following- Organize events and social function Represent the school at student forums and program councils Classmates are completely informed and all important information shared with the class. To act like a liaison between the class and Middlesex University Update the school and class roster with current information Facilitate in class reunions Be an ambassador for the school and demonstrate the high quality of Middlesex University. Promote the role of alumnae in annual giving The advertisement would be circulated through email, posters and bulletins across the college campus and the content of the advertisement for the role of class representative to the board of studies at Middlesex University would state “Required class representative for Literature Study. The role of a class representative is evolving and requires good leadership qualities. We will look at the class representative to facilitate reunions, social and educational programs, and other events on campus. If you are interested in the role of becoming a class representative, please read the roles and responsibilities and contact the Director of Alumni Relations. Mr. Smith or email smith@middlesexuniverity.com. (The role of Class Representatives, n.d) SELECTION METHOD Selection process for choosing the right candidate for the class representative is a very tedious task. Once the candidates submit the online submission form, they would be contacted by the management team and interviews scheduled with the members of the management board of Middlesex University. The selection will be based on both the interview and the answers provided in the application form. The interview questions are divided into behavioral, situational and biographical questions. The interview format will be as follows- Has it even happened that the targets were not met under your leadership or responsibility? What and how did you handle How do you deal with conflicts, disagreements and misunderstandings between you and your class mates What is the best suggestion or proposal that you have provided to the management and was it accepted and implemented in the school When it comes to a discussion, most people think that their ideas and suggestions are the best. How successful are you when it gets to others accepting your view point? Can you provide some situations as examples? Can you give me one important and significant problem that you have faced? What steps did you take to overcome the problem? What was the cause of the problem? Was there any situation that you completely disagreed with your team members? What did you do then? (Competency based Interview Questions, n.d) There is difficulty that would stop an individual from getting this role of class representative if he/she has not proved himself/herself in the following areas- Persuasiveness Team work and Leadership Ownership and taking responsibility Problem solving Achievement Orientation If the candidate has not given situations where he has achieved the above competencies, it would be difficult for the candidate to be selected. There are different ways to overcome these barriers. The first important rule for any interview process is to be confident and well prepared. The candidate needs to be organized and well equipped for the interview. The candidate needs to have compelling arguments to support his position. The candidate should also be interested, positive and enthusiastic regarding all the questions. He should also focus on personal skills, abilities and strengths and back them up with examples. He must also demonstrate a good knowledge on the organization and the position. (Competency based Interview Questions, n.d) INDUCTION PROGRAM Induction program can be a great source of knowledge to the new employees joining. The program showcases the history of the company, mission, vision, goals and objectives, company policies, HR rules and regulations, training programs, work culture within the organization. The induction program also provides details of what the company expects from its employees. The employees will be able to understand and fit into the organization. It is a process of introducing and familiarizing a new employee or an old employee to a new position in the organization. Induction programs play a very significant role for any company as it helps the individual to be motivated and grow within the company. The employee gets to know and learn details regarding employee benefits, employment philosophy, promotions, employee responsibilities and work environment. The importance of induction programs should not be under estimated. Good induction programs provides the following advantages for the company- Helps to motivate people, energizes and have a positive impact Increases team working ability Interaction between HR and the new employees helps the new entrants to feel more secured Decreases the chances of attrition Increase productivity Decreased need for supervision For an employee who has experience as a cinema manager but has joined newly an organization, the interaction at this stage between the company and the employee would shape the employees comfort level and motivation levels. It would help the employee stay comfortable and assured in the new environment. The induction programs are also very interactive and it provides an opportunity to have hands on experience on how the company works. Every company has its own culture and standard procedures and the entry of an experienced employee requires them to get adapted to the new work environment, culture and decorum. Not getting adapted to the organizations style of work can lead to de motivation, negativity and lack of enthusiasm causing the new entrant to leave the organization. Besides the new employees, the old and newly promoted employees should also undergo the induction program to understand the new responsibilities that the employees would have in the new job position. This program helps them to get acquainted with the new departments. (Anshu, 2007) The other strategies that can be adopted by the organization to motivate employees are – Have a one on one meeting to discuss the growth, performance and issues faced by the employee with the manager. This provides candid supportive feedback on the employees work. Training programs to improve their competency as comprehensive trainings make the employee perform better and get motivated Office atmosphere play a very significant role in motivating. Office space should be a pleasant place to work as the employees attitude is greatly affected by the physical work environment Performance based compensation plan will encourage the employees to do better and attain the goals for the company. Compensation plan is an essential element to work effectively and efficiently. Providing benefits can attract and retain the old employees in the organization. Work from home, flexible work timing, child care, insurances for families are some of the benefits that would make employees feel appreciated. Money is not the only criteria for a company to retain and motivate. Recognizing people for the work performed, certificates, referrals, prizes would help them perform better. (Charles, n.d) ABSENTEEISM School attendance is a very important factor for student’s academic performance. Students who go to school regularly achieve better results than their peers who are frequently absent. There are different reasons that can lead to student absenteeism. Financial problems, transportation, personal problems, health issues, drug and alcohol use and many more. (Student Absenteeism, n.d) ALEIDIM is a model which helps in investigating absenteeism in a work place. There are different types of absenteeism like short term sickness, persistent medium term absenteeism and long term sickness absence. There are some suggestions in approaching absenteeism It is fine for the managers to ask questions relating to the cause of absence The teachers need to treat any personal information with strict confidence Clearly communicate the policies and the procedures in event of long absence Keep records and documentation of the student’s leave (Tony, 2010) There are several implications to students and the community when the school absenteeism increases among school age children. These students suffer both socially and academically. Absenteeism has also been identified as a major factor for school drop outs among many universities and schools. There are several preventive measures that the schools can enforce. The attendance policies should be strictly enforced and action must be taken against the students who have bad track records. Both parents and students should be held accountable for any frequent absenteeism. The schools should also methodically monitor the leave pattern and schedule counseling to prevent absenteeism of students. Early involvement of professional counselors can prevent students from such problems. (Linda, n.d) Literary References Anshu G, 2007, Purpose of Induction, available at http://ezinearticles.com/?Purpose-of-Induction&id=428544 [accessed 1st May 2011] Class Representative- Job Description, available at http://www.malvern-central.vic.edu.au/parents_club/forms/class_rep_job_descript.pdf [accessed 1st May 2011] Competency based Interview Questions, available at http://www.scribd.com/doc/21805571/Behavioural-Interview-Questionnaire [accessed 1st May 2011] Charles E.M, Motivating and Retaining Employees, available at http://ezinearticles.com/?Purpose-of-Induction&id=428544 [accessed 1st May 2011] Definition of team building, available at http://www.team-wise.co.uk/defintion_of_team_building.htm [accessed 2nd May 2011] Linda L.W, Student Absenteeism and Truancy, Technologies and Interventions to Reduce and Prevent Chronic Problems among School-Age Children, available at http://teach.valdosta.edu/are/Litreviews/vol1no1/williams_litr.pdf [accessed 1st May 2011] Marlene C, 2011, Three ways to Gain Employee Cooperation and Increase Teamwork, available at http://ezinearticles.com/?Three-Ways-to-Gain-Employee-Cooperation-and-Increase-Teamwork&id=6168305 [accessed 2nd May 2011] Student Absenteeism, available at http://www.childtrendsdatabank.org/pdf/106_PDF.pdf [accessed 1st May 2011] Teamwork Theories, available at http://www.workplace-communication.com/teamwork-theory.html#teamworktheory [accessed 2nd May 2011] The role of Class Representatives, available at http://www.mcgeheeschool.com/content/mcgehee-alumnae/alumnae-volunteers/class-representative-role.html [accessed 1st May 2011] Tony G, 2010, Understanding Organization-Part II, Tony Greener and Ventus Publishing Aps. Read More