Labor Force Trends
Next, diversity of the labor force affects Human Resource Management In many ways. The United States workforce has become very diverse racially and ethically. There is also more gender-related diversity than there used to be. This means that everyone involved needs to make sure everything is done to have a bias-free HRM department. Career promotion must be encouraged for women and all minorities. HRM must communicate with employees who are from diverse cultures and speak different languages. A work environment must be made that is comfortable for men and women, black, white, or whatever race they are. There must not be racial tension or discrimination.
Finally, skill deficiencies of the workforce affect HRM in that companies are now looking for computer and tech skills more instead of physical strength or machine-saavy workers. Creative thinking is something else HRM has to look for in an employee candidate. A college education is usually a requirement for jobs these days. HRM sometimes has to team up with colleges to teach cartain skills to their employees. HRM is challenged to find qualities and skills in candidates that are sometimes hard to find. There are more skills needed by companies than employees have to offer.
Some workforce trends that have surfaced in light of the changes in the make-up of the labor force and the nature of the work force are employment of women in untraditional jobs, flexible schedules, and more detailed training. Allowing employees to be more involeved in making their own schedules seems to be helpful in keeping them. Telecommuting has also become more common so that employees can work from home because this option tends to be very appealing to many workers these days, particularly mothers with young children.
Disabled people are also sometimes able to work if they can telecommute. Many companies are finding that telecommuting is an option that interests candidates in coming to work for them. Independent contractors are also used by many modern companies when needing temporary employees. Disabled people are becoming more common in the workplace and working from home. It is very important for employers to give equal opportunities to every person applying for a job position with them.
Overall, the workforce has many new challenges to meet. It is imperative to have the best options and benefits to offer candidates in order to influence them to want to join a certain corporation. Women with childeren and disabled workers are a rising number in the labor force. Skills are needed more than ever and therefore so is training and education, which will have to be offered by the employer if there are not enough suitable candidates to hire. Over the years the labor force has changed in many ways and it will continue to do so. Corporations and employers must change as well.
References
Noe, Hollenbeck, Gerhart, and Wright
Fundamentals of human resource management
Pages 32-36
http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/hr022
http://www.business.com/directory/human_resources/diversity/
