The changes in the business landscape and proliferation of technology have heightened the importance of human resource in the modern business world. Majority of the challenges facing Human resource today have been around for a while but failure to address the issues will only worsen the pain in organizations in the future.
Increasing number of immigrants from developing nations and other countries threatens the US workforce. Human resources need to put in place measures and strategies aimed at managing diversity in the work place including training employees on how to work in an increasing diverse work environment. In order to solve diversity issues, human resources should specify the skills required to work effectively in diverse work environment. Another solution is to focus on job requirements during interviews, and asses experience in addition to considering coordination and communication.
Managing demographics is a problem to most HR executives who need to replace older employees and address the emerging needs of younger employees commonly referred to as Generation Y. Companies face the challenge of filling the gaps left by retirees. In response to this, HR executives are offering employment options to retain or attract retired workers and look for training employees for new jobs. At the same time, companies are striving at retaining younger employees, who are less loyal to their companies. In order to increase loyalty and commitment of younger workers, companies are looking into ways of managing work-life balance by offering flexible working schedules such as allowing employees to work from the comfort of their homes.
Workforce availability and quality concerns
The education system in the US is facing stiff challenge in meeting industry demands, as jobs continuously require advanced skills and knowledge in areas such as biotechnology, information technology, and animation. Even though there is high unemployment rate in the US, there is increase in scarcity for technical professionals including engineers that continue to surpass industry demand. In order to address this issue, many companies are tackling the issue by moving into classrooms. For example, in order to meet the increasing demand for some specific skills within the company, SAS Institute Inc., a software company has collaborated with a North Carolina State University to help create a master’s program in analytics through curriculum guidance and funding (Reilly & Williams 53).
Economic and technological change
Numerous economic and technological changes have altered employment and occupational patterns in the US. A major change is the shift from agriculture and manufacturing to service industries. New technology has resulted to occupational shifts with many people going for jobs such as system design and analysis and desktop publishing. In response to technological changes, companies should train their employees on how to interact with new technologies. People are encouraged to develop their skills to match with the technological requirements in the current work environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, possible intervention to all these problems include ensuring autonomy, offering custom-made compensation and better working conditions, and investing employee development.
Work Cited:
Reilly, Peter & Williams, Tony. Global Hr: Challenges Facing the Function. Farnham: Gower Publishing, Ltd., 2012. Print.
