HRM concepts - Essay Example

The academic discipline of human resources has many applications in the workplace. This paper will discuss five human resource topics based on theoryand real life applications. The five topics selected are illustrated below: Recruitment – Recruitment can be defined as the selection process to attract new employees to an organization. An example of a governmental agency that aggressively recruits personnel is the United States Armed forces. The U.S. armed forces have a website called military.

com that illustrates some of the reasons to join the military and it explained the process of how to join the military (Military, 2011). There are nearly 2.5 million soldiers in the U.S. Armed Forces. The military has hundreds of offices from its four branches scattered across America to recruit employees. Motivation – The use of motivation is a critical tool that HR professionals and managers must utilize to keep the employees concentrated in their job tasks. Employees that lack motivation often suffer from absenteeism, tardiness, and lower overall efficiency and production levels.

There are numerous theories that scholars develop that can be used by managers to motivate employees. Four motivational theories are Maslow’s hierarchy of needs, ERG theory, acquired needs theory, and two-factor theory (Schermerhorn, Hunt, Osborn, 2003). Maslow’s hierarchy of needs is based on pyramid of five levels. The five levels of Maslow’s pyramid are physiological, safety, social, esteem, and self-actualization. Training and Development The most valuable asset of a firm is its human capital.

Training and development is an application of human resources that can add a lot of value to a company because it increases the skills and capabilities of the staff. A company that trains its employees well to create a unique coffee experience is Starbucks Café. Trainings and development also serves the function of updating the workers skills, while providing the employees with additional knowledge that can be used to become better professionals. Its is customary in the United States for new employees to receive at least a week of initial training once the sign an employment contract with a company.

An effective way that organizations are using to lower costs of training is by offering online trainings. It is a good practice to provide an economic incentive upon completion of the online training if the employees take the training during their personal time at home. Employee Safety and Health The safety of the employees is one of the top priorities of corporations. Companies must comply with sanitary laws and must have adequate ventilation or air conditioning in the work areas of the company.

One of the organizations that monitor the safety laws of the United States of America is OSHA. “OSHA is the main federal agency charged with the enforcement of safety and health legislation” (Osha, 2011). Compensation The most attractive reward that employees receive is their salary. In the United States the average salary is approximately $21.00 an hour. Compensation packages are not limited to salary. Employees receive other fringe benefits as part of an overall balance offer. Some of the fringe benefits offered by companies include vacations days, sick days, wellness programs, stock options, year end bonuses, medical plan, dental plan, car allowance, and gasoline refunds.

References Military.com (2011). 10 Steps to Joining the Military. [Accessed 15 November 2011]. Osha.gov (2011). Can We Help. Occupational Safety and Health Administration. [Accessed 15 November 2011]. Schermerhorn, J., Hunt, J., Osborn, R. (2003). Organizational Behavior (8th ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons.