Human Resource Issues in Higher Education

Human Resource Issues in Higher Education

Introduction

In the recent past, the success of higher learning institutions has been associated with the quality of their human resource which is an indication that human resource is at the center of educational management. Human resource management a significant part in translating the institutional strategic goals into human resource policies as well as engendering organizational strategies that are essential in enabling a learning facility to acquire a competitive advantage. However, as a leader, it is vital to understand policies and practices guiding human resource to manage workers issues. In light of this, the analysis will explore how human resources manage execution of personnel laws policies, and practices.

Summary

        Research by Douglas Toma revealed that strategic human resource is vital in building institutional capabilities through the enhancement of workforce success. The study indicated that personnel success depends on the capacity of the organization to produce employees who are competent and complies with professional ethics. In doing this, it was found that human resource contributes towards organizational achievement by formulating and aligning processes, practices, and programs that reinforce the institution’s human capital resources. For instance, human resource can offer training to the employees to enable them knowledge on issues such as lawful employment practices.

Ken Edwards presented a study on the new approaches to staff recruitment in higher education in the UK. The investigation revealed that human resource has been experiencing issues in staff recruitment due to the current transformations in the conditions under which the institutions employ personnel. Majority of the universities has significantly increased employment of workforce on fixed-term contracts to acquire flexibility in handling the fluctuating levels of funding. The author postulated that the practice leads to inequalities between permanent workers and those on contract. In this case, the human resource has an obligation of protecting employees on contract to enhance their freedom and career development.

Teir and Zhang researched to determine the recent practices of human resource management in higher education organizations in Palestine. Results from the investigation indicated that human resource plays a crucial role in upholding the safety of the employees as well as in safeguarding the rights of students as specified in the constitution. In doing this, it was found that the human resource implements policies, programs, and practices that encourage a harmonious atmosphere in the workplace by demonstrating regard to all staff members and students regardless of their different characteristics. In providing physical safety to the employees, human resource offers advice to the workers in safety and hazard management including environmental protection and occupational health.

In his research, Mallillin found that effective human resource management in a higher learning institution is essential in preventing discrimination during recruitment which ultimately enhances employees work. Results from the investigation postulated that in the bid to protect against hiring discrimination, human resource strictly follows the procedures and policies of selecting, recruiting, as well as terminating the staff members. The research is significant given that it revealed the cruciality of human resource in the screening workforce, offering the relevant training as well as professional and ethical guidelines for the employees to follow.

Synthesis

Typically, employees in higher learning institutions are expected to conform to the personnel laws, policies, and practices specified by their organizations. The guidelines play a pivotal role in contributing to a legal environment within the higher learning institutions as well as enabling the organizations to address human resource issues adequately. One of the crucial roles of these guidelines is ascertaining that there is an equal recruitment opportunity for all employees. In doing this, the law and the policies protect prospect employees against hiring discrimination by one’s gender, disability, age, and race. Given that recently organizations are increasingly hiring workers on a contract basis, personnel laws, policies, and practices offer guidelines on a standard for wages to ensure that the institutions do not inflict them as compared to the regular employees.

Personnel laws, policies, and practices contribute to a legal environment in higher the university by ensuring that the employees are competent and that their practice aligns with the ethical and professional guidelines. The guidelines are crucial in ascertaining that in their practice, the members of the staff do not violate student’s rights as warranted by constitutional amendment. Besides, the guidelines ensure that there is physical safety by requiring the institutions to provide a safe working environment to the workers. Therefore, the workforce policies, laws and practice are not only essential in promoting a legal environment in higher learning institutions but also, they enhance the success of these organizations.

Conclusion

Human resource plays a significant role in recruiting, training, and offering rules and procedures for employees to follow in higher learning institutions. However, as a leader, it is essential to comprehend policies and practices guiding human resource to enable them to manage the workforce effectively. Understanding personnel laws, policies, and practices are critical given that they contribute to the legal environment within the universities which are essential for their overall success.