Job functions - HR Part - 2 (Employee Life Cycle)

In this post we will discuss the role of the HR function in managing the "Employee Life Cycle" in the organization.


Once a candidate becomes an employee, s/he needs to be inducted into the organization. Different organizations have different processes to ensure that s/he learns

- The broad policies and applicable employment rules in the organization
   including

* Facilities & Entitlements
* Basic expectations of timing, dress, discipline etc
* Other employment conditions

- The actual role s/he is expected to play and the boundaries to the role
- Task related procedures
- Key cultural cues

The next task for the HR department is to provide assistance in managing the career of the employee. Here the HR department works closely with the business managers and assists the employee in navigating his/her career path. Typical HR tasks in this area are facilitation the Performance Management Process, Training & Development and providing inputs for the policies of Compensation & Rewards.

- Performance Management Process usually consists of

* Goal setting - organizations now set SMART
   goals or "Specific, Measurable, Achievable, 
   Realistic, Time-bound " Goals
* Review & Appraisal - a process of periodic
   formal reviews of achievement against goals
* Development plans - for employees to achieve
   the SMART Goals and grow in the organization

- Training & Development -  Organizations set up Training Programs internally
   using in-house or hired trainers to address common training needs thrown-up by
   development plans mentioned above or send individual employees or groups to
   externally conducted training programs, seminars etc.

- The HR department facilitates the operating business managers to develop a strategy and
   define policies for compensation and rewards.

In each of the above tasks, the HR department plays a facilitating role assisting the operating managers in defining policy, providing technical advice and assisting in implementing policy.

In the next post on HR we will discuss the administrative tasks of the department and the Industrial Relations function.