Question Details

Employee and Labor Relations includes developing, implementing, and sustaining policies to support goals. This is one of the more challenging areas within the aPHR, PHR, and SPHR Exam Content Outlines. Labor and employee relations are complex and intricate because legislation, rules, and policy are mixed into a content area that requires a deep level of understanding, as there are many contributing factors of law and practice in the organization's operations. HRM professionals are tasked with carefully crafting effective employee programs intended to enhance management relations with the working population. These programs demand both the knowledge and creativity necessary to develop intrinsic award programs that promote both individual and team recognition for all employees in the organization. In addition, diversity programs should be included to reinforce cultural awareness and promote a positive organizational culture.

Employee effectiveness programs are among the most important in the organization. Recognizing this is essential to practicing HRM professionals. To execute this analysis, both quantitative and qualitative research must be performed within the organization. The use of metrics and analytics is the demanded approach. Critical retention awareness efforts to understand the organization are worthwhile and include employee exit interviews and analysis of turnover rates. Turnover rates cannot stand alone; research to trace their source should be affected. Lastly, the careful and professional use of survey instruments and interpretation of the data is necessary in order to fully understand what is actually happening and why.

Communication has been consistently recognized as the greatest obstacle to relations between people in the organization. It is essential for HRM professionals to be prepared to guide the creation, enhancement, and sustainment of communication in a workplace. Essential to the development of this type of positive environment in which communication thrives is up-to-date employee manuals and standard operating procedures. Having written material that guides the management of employment life is critical for a successful organization. These documents require extensive attention to ensure they are currently maintained.

In this discussion, select and respond to one of the following questions as it pertains to organizational success:

• What are some common challenges in the development and implementation of employee programs of recognition?
• How can HRM analytics and metrics support organizational success?
• What are the benefits of an up-to-date employee manual in the organization?