Session 1

Concepts and Contextual Issues of Human Resource Management

(HRM) in Bangladesh Public Service

PROFESSOR MOMTAZ JAHAN

What is HRM?
HRM is that part of management dealing directly with people
who work for the organization.
HRM is a set of inter-related policies, practices, and programs
whose goal is to attract, socialize, motivate, maintain, and retain
an organization’s employees.
The purpose of HRM is to improve the productive contribution
of people, it is ultimately related to all other aspects of
management.
CONTD.
HRM or HR as a department in an organization handles all
aspects of employees.
It has various functions like human resource planning,
recruiting, selecting, and orienting employees, imparting
training and development, appraising employee
performance, maintaining proper relations with employees,
ensuring employee safety and welfare measures in
compliance with labor laws.
HRM Functions
There are SIX important HRM functions.
Plan for organizations, jobs, and people - Top managers work with HR
managers to link resources and organizational strategies.
Get human resources--Fill positions by transferring and promoting within the
organization and by recruiting new employees.
Build performances--Train employees with formal and informal methods.
Motivate employees to perform better with total quality management
programs, self-management programs, and other quality-enhancing
programs.
Contd.
Reward employees--Develop and monitor employee appraisals. Develop fair
and effective ways to reward good performances.
Maintain human resources--Oversee employee health and safety programs.
Maintain good relations with employees. Participate in collective bargaining
with unionized employees. Control employee turnover by means of retirement
programs and other ways of keeping valued employees on the payroll.
Manage human resources at the multi-national level--Multi-national
organizations must integrate the HR practices of different cultures and legal
systems.
Functions of HRM
Human Resource Planning or Employment Planning
Recruitment
Selection
Training and Development
Performance Appraisal
Compensation
Benefits
Motivation
Career Planning and Development
Industrial Relations
Personnel Records
 Significance of HRM
HRM refers to the entire spectrum of an organization’s interaction
with its human resources from recruitment activity to retirement
process.
With a strong and equitable HRM system, employees:
Receive compensation that reflects their level of responsibility.
Feel more motivated and understand how their work relates to the
organization's mission and values.
Are more satisfied with their jobs.
 
Contd.
With a strong and equitable HRM system, organizations:
Are better equipped to achieve their goals.
Increase the level of employee performance.
Save costs through the improved efficiency and productivity of workers.
Improve their ability to manage change.
Thus, HRM plays an important role in assuring employee satisfaction,
improving performance and productivity. This can further an organization's
competitive advantage, and directly contribute to the organization's success.
Public Service and Civil Service
All government services are public service. All government agencies
which are under the jurisdiction of the central (national) and local
government are public services. Public servants/public personnel
refer to the human resources who work in the public sector and
provide public services to the society.
Civil service is at the top of the bureaucratic structure. It is the
principal instrument for planning, executing, supervising, and
monitoring the tasks of government. Civil servants are top ranked
officers who work in various government departments and offices
and whose duties vary according to their role and position.
Contd.
The term Civil Service used narrowly in Bangladesh context to
denote a particular class or classes of services, recruitment to which
is made on the basis of open competitive examination.
A member of civil service is not a holder of political or judicial offices
or the defense service. The elected officials and members of
legislature are also excluded from this term.
In the constitution of Bangladesh the term civil service or civil
servant is not used. Only two different terms are defined in the
constitution-------- ‘the service of the Republic’ and ‘public officer’.
All civil servants are public servants and/or government servants.
The reverse is not the case.
Core Values of Civil Service
All civil servants are expected to uphold:
Commitment to the rule of law
Honesty and Integrity
Objectivity and Impartiality
Political Neutrality
Accountability for decisions and actions
Dedication, Professionalism, and Diligence.
Significance of HRM in the Public
Service
An effective HRM system:
Allows organizations to address human resource issues strategically.
Helps organizations prioritize their organizational strategies while
effectively managing the changes inherent in the public sector.
Helps attract and retain competent employees, assists employees and
managers in adapting to organizational change, and facilitates the use of
technology to determine how and where work is done.
Employees are an organization's most important and valuable asset.
Human resources are converted to human capital through proper HRM.
Contd.
A sound government based on an efficient HRM system is the basis
for the overall development in a country.
In a developing country like Bangladesh, the role of public
administration is of utmost value as most of the state and social
services are rendered by the government machinery.
An effective HRM system is seen as the most significant variable that
determines the performance of the government. One way to enhance
governmental performance and become more competitive is to
better utilize the workforces through proper HRM practices.
CONTD.
A well managed civil service is needed for efficient delivery of
services and consequently a well performed government. But for
developing countries like Bangladesh where the bureaucratic quality
is low and civil service is less efficient, the necessity of sound HRM is
a top priority for ensuring good governance.
A skilled, motivated, efficient, and ethical civil service is mandatory
for quality civil service. Therefore, the issues of efficiency,
effectiveness, capability and quality of HRM in civil service are critical
for government performance and enhanced development.
Common Attributes of Administrative
Systems of Developed Countries
Balanced system of power distribution
Focus on result
Technology at the service of management
Profound concern for ethics and accountability in public service
Redefined role of public administration and its linkages with the
private sector

Source: Jamil E. jreisat,2002

Common Attributes of Administrative
Systems of Developing Countries
Overstaffed public organizations
Low Productivity
Lack of innovative and skilled public managers
Excessively centralized decision making
Corruption
Underpaid public employees
 HRM Framework for Civil Service
The World Public Sector Report (WPSR) proposes a HRM framework
for the civil service composed of the following components
(UN,2005):
A politically impartial , professional and merit based civil service.
An agency, exercising strategic leadership and monitoring a system of
dispersed management rather than operating through bureaucratic
controls.
CONTD.
A strong focus on result oriented management in the public service
through the use of effective performance standards and indicators as
well as promotion criteria giving greater weight to efficiency.
Though, objective anti-corruption rules and agencies.
Legislative provisions and professional norms to make civil service open
to external scrutiny.
High levels of communication capacity through being networked by the
effective deployment of information technology.
 Class Exercise
Assessing your Organization’s Human Resource Management System
 
Use the following quiz to begin thinking about some HRM system issues. This will help you
start the process of strengthening your organization's HR capacity to improve staff
productivity and allow your organization to provide higher quality services to your clients.
Do employees understand how their work specifically contributes to the mission and goals
of the organization?
Do employees consider their performance reviews to be a chance to discuss current work,
skills and competencies and discuss future professional opportunities?
Are employees routinely considered for openings and promotions within the organization?
 Contd.
Can your organization take on new objectives or tasks with cooperation from
everyone?
Do employees understand the policies on salaries and benefits and consider them fair
and equitable?
Is the supervisor's role valued and supported by the organization?
Does your organization have a spirit of achievement and high performance?
Can your organization engage in long-range planning, knowing that it has or can
develop the human resources required?

 
Contd.
There are also questions which the employees frequently ask themselves,
concerning their work and workplace, include the following:

Am I being treated fairly?

What am I supposed to do?
How well am I doing my work?
Does my work matter to the organization?
How can I develop myself within the organization?
Thank You