Human resource professionals establish an effective performance management to reward excellence, identify development opportunities and provide remedial or disciplinary action when necessary. By aligning each employee’s work with the strategic objectives of the company, a human resource professional helps ensure that work contributes to achieving profitability and success. By setting clear performance expectations in job descriptions, human resource professionals ensure employees know about required actions and behaviors.
Also Read: SHRM Certified Professional (SHRM-CP)
Establishing a Competency Model
The HR department ensures that the company has the skilled personnel to complete job tasks. By defining clear job descriptions, benchmarking roles against similar jobs in the industry and establishing job competency models for each of the company’s departments, HR professionals enable a business to operate more effectively. They review studies and data about staffing, costs, transactions and use to get insight on running the business more efficiently. For example, the American Society for Training Development publishes a sales competency model, and the Hackett Group maintains a procurement capabilities model to help procurement departments clarify their operating model and ensure they have the right resources in place.
Defining Performance Objectives
Requiring each employee to generate an annual development plan ensures that each worker defines his performance goals for the year. When managers conduct their performance appraisals and reviews, they refer to these documents to determine if employees have met, exceeded or failed to achieve their goals. By defining performance objectives in a few core areas, such as project management, financial acumen, customer focus and communication, HR professionals help employees identify specific areas needing improving. Assessment tests provided by online career development sites, such as Career Path, Education Planner or Keirsey Personality Tests, can further guide employees.
Establishing an Action Plan
Human resource professionals help managers work with their employees to promote employee growth and improve productivity. By providing checklists and templates for performance appraisals, human resource professionals establish consistency across the company. By requiring monthly status reports, scheduling regular meetings and providing feedback and coaching, managers allow employees to develop the skills they need to succeed on project task assignments.
Producing Results
By setting performance objectives for each job role and level, human resource professionals set clear expectations. Employees know what behavior and actions results in promotions and what type of work causes disciplinary action or even termination. Creating clear written standards for performance and communicating them through multiple mechanisms, such as email, newsletters and websites, ensures employees get the message. This establishes a productive environment for developing skills and expertise.
