Major trends and impact on organization from HRM

1. What can be done to strengthen the relationship between human resource management and the organization's strategy?

2. Examine one of the major trends in human resource management that will have significant impact on our organization for the next five to ten years.

3. Organizational Safety and Health Discussion

There has been a huge change in the safety and health of the workforce
since the enactment of the Occupational Safety and Health Act. National
Safety Council data show that the rate of decline in workplace
fatalities has been more rapid since the creation of OSHA within the
Department of Labor. Work death rates dropped from 29 per 100,000
workers in 1948 to 7 per 100,000 in 1992. The most significant
workplace health problem emerging in the late twentieth century is the
array of musculoskeletal disorders (MSD) caused by repetitive stress.
Conditions such as carpal tunnel syndrome, tendonitis, low back pain
among others top the list of MSD's.

Did you know...
Each year, 1.8 million U.S. workers experience MSD's about 600,000 of
which are serious enough to require time off from work..
? MSD's account for 34% of all work-related injuries and illnesses
that result in at least one lost day of work.
? MSD's cost businesses $15-$20 billion in workers' compensation
costs each year, but other indirect costs may run as high as $45-$60
billion.
? About 60 percent of all disorders occur in manufacturing
industries or among workers that lift patients, stock shelves or perform
other tasks that require significant handling of heavy material.
? Carpal tunnel syndrome causes more days away from work, on
average, than any other workplace injury, including amputations or
fractures.

With the growing reliance on technology in our daily lives, we've reaped
many benefits. However, this may very well be the cause of many MSD
problems we experience today.

Recently, OSHA has issued proposed regulations aimed at reducing
workplace injuries caused by poor ergonomic conditions. While many
organizations along with Republican senators are against this
legislation and will attempt to prevent OSHA from finalizing these
regulations before a study on the subject that is to be done in 2001,
some of the proposed regulations make good business sense. Let's look at
a few aspects of OSHA's recommendations (keeping in mind these aren't
required among employers yet).

There are two programs for employers = the basic program and a full
program. The basic program would include:

? Naming someone to be responsible for ergonomics programs and
employee training;
? Informing employees how to get involved in the program
? Setting up a system for employees to report MSD's.
? Providing prevention training
? Responding promptly to MSD reports.

Sounds a lot like other areas of HRM responsibility such as harassment
reporting and other violations, doesn't it?

The full program would add these additional requirements:

? for up to 6 months, providing 100% pay and benefits for injured
employees put on light duty and 90% pay for employees who can't work
(could be offset by workers' compensation benefits, though).
? Analyzing problem jobs for ergonomic risk factors, working to
eliminate such hazards.
? Reevaluating the program every three years.
? Promptly responding to an injured employee by providing access
to a doctor, if needed, and obtaining their opinion on how to help the
employee recover (could be covered under ADA).
? Keeping certain records related to the program for three years.

The bottom line here is that while there is debate about these proposed
regulations and associated programs, these ideas make good sense to
promote employee wellness and minimize reactive direct and indirect
costs associated with workplace injuries.