Page 11 - DMGT406_HUMAN_RESOURCE_MANAGEMENT

Human Resource Management

Notes with their own top manager. How are the duties of this HR manager and his or her staff related
to "line" managers' human resource duties?
HR managers have both line and staff functions. Let us first discuss who are line and staff
managers:
Line Managers are authorized to direct the work of subordinates-they're always someone's
boss. In addition, line managers are in charge of accomplishing the organization's basic goals.
HR managers are generally line managers of their own department, they have their own hierarchy
of jobs like V.P. (HR), Senior Manager (Recruitment), Senior Manager (Training), etc.

Staff Managers, on the other hand, are authorized to assist and advise line managers in
accomplishing these basic goals. HR managers are generally staff managers in areas like
recruiting, hiring, and compensation.
For example, one major company outlines its line supervisors' responsibilities for effective
human resource management under the following general headings:

1. Placing the right person on the right job.
2. Starting new employees in the organization (orientation).
3. Training employees for jobs that are new to them.
4. Improving the job performance of each person in the department.

5. Gaining creative cooperation and developing smooth working relationships with the
department.
6. Directing subordinates about their duties and responsibilities.

7. Developing the abilities of each person in the department.
8. Creating and maintaining department morale.
Whereas the staff responsibilities for the same organization include:
1. Preparing and conducting an effective performance management system.

2. Administering the compensation management system of the organization.
3. Preparing career plans for all employees.
4. Recruitment, selection, training and development and grievance handling at various levels
and departments in the organization.
5. In small organisations, line managers may carry out all these personnel duties unassisted.
But as the organization grows, they need the assistance, specialized knowledge, and advice
of a separate human resource staff.
The human resource department provides this specialized assistance. In doing so, the HR manager
carries out three distinct functions:
1. A Line Function: The HR manager directs the activities of the people in his or her own
department and in related service areas. In other words, he or she exerts line authority
within the HR department.
2. A Coordinative Function: HR managers also coordinate personnel activities, a duty
often referred to as functional control. Here, the HR manager and department act as the
right arm of the top executive to ensure that line managers are implementing the firm's
HR objectives, policies, and procedures (for example, adhering to its sexual harassment
policies).

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