PROGRAMME: BACHELOR OF COMMERCE HONOURS

MODULE: Human Resource Management and Labour Relations

Total Marks: 70

QUESTION ONE [40]

Read the following article and answer the questions that follow

EVOLUTION OF FUTURE HR JOBS: HOW PREPARED IS HR FOR FUTURE ROLE

With the digital and technological transitions, and shift in workforce demographics there is
a space which will greatly impact the future of HR jobs. HR management is heading into a
working environment that has drastically changed. People no longer stay at jobs for a life
time, instead, the average worker will change jobs every 4 years. The HR of the future needs
to be more innovative and evolved to manage the future workforce.

HR TRENDS AND PREDICTIONS FOR FUTURE

HR AND TECHNOLOGY

One of the biggest trends that will change the future of HR is AI. Despite concerns that AI is
going to replace humans, it will to the most benefit HR. The bigger and better data will help
to increase the value and efficiency of the HR. They can analyse and organize people
centric data for seamless attendance management, payslip generation through
conversational interfaces.

CLOSER INTERACTION BETWEEN HR AND IT

With an increase in the use of data, cybersecurity will be one of the major challenges for
future HR. New cyber security and WFH policies will be formed to overcome issues such as
data confidentiality and employee privacy. HR will play more strategic rules when it comes to
change management.

Also due to dependency on technology, future HR jobs will see close interaction with IT
departments. This may mean anything from developing better tools for communication to
implementing systems that track employee performance.
CANDIDATES WILL HAVE MORE CONTROL

As the competition for talent increases, future HR jobs will need to be filled by people who
can sell a company to candidates and champion policies that increase retention.

DIVERSITY AND INCLUSION WILL BE PRIORITIZED MORE

Companies are going to be paying more attention to recruiting diverse sets of employees. As
the workforce becomes more diverse, diversity and inclusion trainings may become a part of
HR management.

HR PROFESSIONALS WILL NEED TO EXPAND THEIR SKILLS

Future HR jobs will be more than human resource management. As certain HR functions like
payroll and recruitment become automated, HR managers will need to continuously upgrade
their skills. A knowledge of business strategy, finance and sharper leadership skills will be
required for HR managers to continue contributing meaningfully.

FUTURE HR JOBS WILL SEE A GREATER EMPHASIS ON COMPLIANCE

Regulations, whether on the government, global or industry level, are changing and HR
managers will need to remain on top of all of them. In addition, the way people work is
changing. As remote and gig work become the norm, HR managers are going to have to
craft policies that equitably govern the relationship between a company and its workers.

Future HR managers will have to think ahead and anticipating the needs of anyone in their
employment. Future HR jobs will necessitate those in charge to train employees on
developing standards.

TECH COMPANIES IN TALENT MARKET

Technology companies are entering into the talent market place; the likes of Microsoft’s
LinkedIn, Google’s Google jobs and these are just a precursor for what may become a more
common trend in the future. It means that companies may take their labour sourcing in
house, leaving those working in recruitment firms with a need to change the way that they
work or risk becoming obsolete.

HR RELEVANCE IN FUTURE

Despite the incorporation of technology and AI, future HR jobs will not become obsolete yet
as AI is still not able to fully replace human beings. Intuition, empathy, emotions; these are
human traits that are essential in managing people and machines are yet to learn them.
People will still be needed to reach out to candidates, to maintain contact between
interviews, to resolve certain workplace conflicts and to build trust that is needed between
employees and the company.

IN SUMMARY

HR is evolving and those in future HR jobs will be required to horn their skills, policies and
systems. A major theme for future HR jobs is the heavier reliance of technology. As opposed
to seeing that as a threat, HR managers should see technology as a partner that can aid
them in achieving their objectives.

(Source: https://www.thehrdigest.com/evolution-of-future-hr-jobs-how-prepared-is-hr-for-
future-role/)

Questions:
1.1. Considering the trends discussed above, evaluate the impact of these trends on the
role of human resource management. Use examples from modern organisations in
your response. (20)
1.2. Critically discuss the impact of technology on any ONE human resource
management function. (20)

QUESTION TWO [30]

Consider the above diagram. Any interaction between an employee and their employer could
be an example of employee relations. Discuss the various points in the employee’s journey that
are examples of employee relations.