Title: 1.1 What Is Human Resources? – Human Resource Management
Headings: 1.1 What Is Human Resources?
1.1 What Is Human Resources?
Learning Objectives
What Is HRM?
Human Resource Recall
The Role of HRM
Staffing
Development of Workplace Policies
Compensation and Benefits Administration
Retention
Training and Development
Dealing with Laws Affecting Employment
Worker Protection
Communication
Awareness of External Factors
Key Takeaways
Exercises
References

Content: Communication
Besides these major roles, good communication skills and excellent management skills are key to successful human resource management as well as general management. We discuss these issues in Chapter 9 “Successful Employee Communication”. Awareness of External Factors
In addition to managing internal factors, the HR manager needs to consider the outside forces at play that may affect the organization. Outside forces, or external factors, are those things the company has no direct control over; however, they may be things that could positively or negatively impact human resources. External factors might include the following: Globalization and offshoring
Changes to employment law
Health-care costs
Employee expectations
Diversity of the workforce
Changing demographics of the workforce
A more highly educated workforce
Layoffs and downsizing
Technology used, such as HR databases
Increased use of social networking to distribute information to employees
For example, the recent trend in flexible work schedules (allowing employees to set their own schedules) and telecommuting (allowing employees to work from home or a remote location for a specified period of time, such as one day per week) are external factors that have affected HR. HRM has to be aware of these outside issues, so they can develop policies that meet not only the nee