Page 121 - DMGT406_HUMAN_RESOURCE_MANAGEMENT

Human Resource Management

Notes Career planning is not an event or end in itself, but a continuous process of developing human
resources for achieving optimum results. It must, however, be noted that individual and
organisational careers are not separate and distinct. A person who is not able to translate his
career plan into action within the organisation may probably quit the job, if he has a choice.
Organisations, therefore, should help employees in career planning so that both can satisfy each
other's needs.

7.7.2 Need for Career Planning

Every employee has a desire to grow and scale new heights in his workplace continuously.
If there are enough opportunities, he can pursue his career goals and exploit his potential fully.
He feels highly motivated when the organisation shows him a clear path as to how he can meet
his personal ambitions while trying to realise corporate goals. Unfortunately, as pointed out by
John Leach, organisations do not pay adequate attention to this aspect in actual practice for a
variety of reasons. The demands of employees are not matched with organisational needs, no
effort is made to show how the employees can grow within certain limits, what happens to an
employee five years down the line if he does well, whether the organisation is trying to offer
mere jobs or long-lasting careers, etc. When recognition does not come in time for meritorious
performance and a certain amount of confusion prevails in the minds of employees whether
they are 'in' with a chance to grow or not, they look for greener pastures outside. Key executives
leave in frustration and the organisation suffers badly when turnover figures rise. Any
recruitment effort made in panic to fill the vacancies is not going to be effective. So, the absence
of a career plan is going to make a big difference to both the employees and the organisation.
Employees do not get right breaks at a right time; their morale will be low and they are always
on their toes trying to find escape routes.
Organisations are not going to benefit from high employee turnover. New employees mean
additional selection and training costs. Bridging the gaps through short-term replacements is
not going to pay in terms of productivity. Organisations, therefore, try to put their career plans
in place and educate employees about the opportunities that exist internally for talented people.
Without such a progressive outlook, organisations cannot prosper.

7.7.3 Objectives

Career planning seeks to meet the following objectives:
1. Attract and retain talent by offering careers, not jobs.

2. Use human resources effectively and achieve greater productivity.
3. Reduce employee turnover.
4. Improve employee morale and motivation.
5. Meet the immediate and future human resource needs of the organisation on a timely
basis.

Did u know? Career anchors: They are distinct patterns of self-perceived talents, attitudes,
motives and values that guide and stabilise a person's career after several years of
real-world experience and feedback.

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