Page 663 - Business Principles and Management

Unit 7

Improving Human Resources Services

Companies are looking at ways to improve human
resources services while controlling the costs of pro-
viding those services. They are finding many ways
The Bureau of Labor Statistics conducts annual
surveys of the compensation and benefits offered to use technology to reduce paperwork and stream-
by U.S. employers and posts summaries at an line the process of maintaining and distributing
easy-to-use Web site. Point your browser to information to employees. Some companies are
www.thomsonedu.com/school/bpmxtra. Choose also employing outside companies to perform
several categories of data and click on “Retrieve some human resources tasks.
Data” to review the information. Now go to
the “Other Surveys” drop-down menu at the USE OF TECHNOLOGY
top of the page and select another category.
Managing human resources requires a great deal
After reviewing the information, suggest how
of information pertaining to every employee in the
it would be helpful to employers, HR personnel,
organization. Much of the cost of managing human
and employees.
resources goes into the paperwork needed to gather
and update this information. Employees must fill
www.thomsonedu.com/school/bpmxtra
out forms. Then HR employees must make copies,
store them, and retrieve them when needed. When-
ever a change occurs, the process must be repeated.
Computers have greatly improved the way companies gather and store em-
ployment information. Companies now store employment data electronically,
making access and updates easy. When an employee gets a raise or moves to a
new home, HR employees can easily make these changes in the computer sys-
tem. To keep records confidential, companies take security precautions, such as
requiring a password to access employees’ files.
The Internet has also made HR activities more efficient. The Internet provides
a way for employers and job seekers to exchange information. Companies can use
the Internet to communicate new policies or new benefit options to employees
throughout the company and the world. Companies may even set up information
kiosks in cafeterias and break rooms, so employees can easily check on benefits
and other employment information. People participating in employee evalua-
Screening job applicants is one
tion, such as the 360-degree feedback process, can complete their evaluation
task an HR department might
forms online.
outsource. What are others?
OUTSOURCING SERVICES
Some companies are now outsourcing some or all of their
HR services. Outsourcing is hiring an outside firm to perform
specialized tasks. For example, a company may hire an outside
employment agency to perform all of its employment activities,
including recruiting, selecting, and even training. A second
common use of outsourcing in human resources is to contract
with an information systems company to manage all the person-
nel data required to manage human resources.

INCREASING VALUE OF HUMAN RESOURCES
PHOTO: © DIGITAL VISION. of businesses. Managers faced with the task of improving the
Human resources management is very important in all types

effectiveness and profitability of a business are always looking
for ways to improve employee performance. As employees’
needs continue to change and the cost of providing employee

650