HR is not and never has been an island to itself. To some extent, this is a downfall as much as a strength: Whenever something needs to be handled, the function is called in to help things along. To some extent, this is behind its reputation as a responsive/reactionary function rather than a leading/proactive one. However, the collaborative work of HR is clearly valuable, and leaving the function in the cold does not help anyone in an organisation.
In this issue of HRO Today EMEA, we see this fact clearly in the areas of security, the psychological workplace, and talent assessments. The first of these is a clear necessity: Without collaborative work, the operation and management of HR data can present a potential danger to businesses. HR must work alongside IT and other departments to ensure security is maintained at every stage of an employee’s experience.
The psychological workplace can only occur if everyone commits to creating and maintaining this kind of environment. Again, HR can instigate here but it requires everyone’s commitment for the elements of the psychological workplace to be clear.Finally, assessment technology now offers HR a way to sift accurately, sophisticatedly, and at speed in order to find the talent an organisation needs. However, this will only be effective if HR understands the talent required in the first place. Accurate assessment needs clear information as to the skills and aptitudes required, only then can HR set out with any sense of purpose and intention to bring in the talent required.
No HR function is an island, but HR professionals must be ready to prove their worth within this context too. It needs to be informed, ready, clear as to its requirements. And then it can truly deliver value.
Simon KentEditor-at-Large