Cooperatives that aim to grow as business enterprises with missions must have carefully crafted human resource management programs. This works on the assumption that cooperative officers acknowledge that growth and development of cooperative enterprises occur with effective and efficient workforces and favorable business environment.
This writer believes that every organization needs to have a clearly defined human resource management program because of the changing business paradigm, challenges on management, and the need to adopt holistic measures to address organizational diversity. Training on the importance of human resource management towards attainment of established goals and objectives should be considered by officers and management of organizations.
At present cooperatives businesses continually expand and diversify businesses that affect organizational growth. Cooperatives based in other regions branch out to the Cordillera Administrative Region while our cooperatives put up their branches or satellite offices in Regions 1, 2, and even outside the country. This situation indicates cooperatives are fast growing business enterprises that face increase in manpower and technological advancement.
In order for cooperatives to sustain business operations, the need to fully understand the dynamics of the workplace through development of measures that help in the realization of goals and objectives. Managementstudyguide.com identified some areas of concern that may include: human resource planning; training and development; hiring/recruitment and selection; industrial relations; grievance handling; legal procedures; and rewards and recognition. The suggested focus when taken seriously will help in the harmonious relationship of diverse workforce that can unite to fully explore measures in developing the potentials of employees.
Moreover, ensuring that employees of diverse culture work together, efforts to promote a cohesive team that align their individual goals to that of the organization will minimize conflicts in the organization.
I can recall some queries of officers and staff regarding pay scale, number of employees, benefits, issues on hiring of personnel, and who will succeed the manager in case of vacancy. These revelations and stories from various cooperative leaders call for a training design that touches on human resource management. As of the moment, there is no officially established pay scale for cooperative employees except that of the minimum wage law.
Succession planning is one area that needs to be considered by planners and training providers of cooperatives. As part of human resource management, cooperatives must have clear cut guidelines related to this matter. The essence of merit and fitness and not on the basis of seniority (alone) should be properly considered in filling up of vacancies in the organization. Sometimes, bringing in of new employees to occupy key positions in the organization causes demoralization of personnel. This happens when there are qualified staff within the organization yet the
decision of officers is to hire staff outside the organization is the chosen option.
Also, periodic appraisal of performance of employees to identify areas of improvement is necessary, This can be undertaken with some forms of rewards to those who successfully performed functions and exerted extra mile that created milestones for the organization. Token of appreciation and recognizing the exerted efforts can motivate manpower when done properly.
Finally, there is a need to closely monitor the needs of employees and to provide policies that protects their welfare as part of the organization. Loyalty of personnel to the organization can be maintained given correct human resource management interventions. Hence, for cooperatives to fully address the needs of the growing number of employees, an effective and efficient human resource management system should be in place in every cooperative. It is encouraged that all cooperatives should develop strategies to provide the needs of its most important asset at the same time harness their full potential to attain growth and development.
