The Human Resources Department and Six Sigma

HR can be called the working capital of theLabor relations are also important, and the HR
organization. But what are the areas where Six Sigmadepartment has to handle issues such as absenteeism,
can be applied? How would it be possible to find theindiscipline, union negotiations, drug abuse and
3.4 parts?alcoholism. HR is also responsible for dispute
The explanation for this is the implementation of Sixresolutions of various types such as harassment,
Sigma in functions that lead to employee satisfaction.discrimination and so on. DFSS process design can be
Selection of Projectsimplemented for discipline and other areas for
When organizations decide to undertake any Siximprovement.
Sigma projects for the HR department, it has to beA website can be developed with proper study of the
ensured that there is good return on investment. Theproblem areas of absenteeism and disputes, which
financial perspective and customer perspective iscan act as a discreet communication medium for all
relevant, as are internal factors to consider and theemployees. Systems can be put into place to
goal to achieve organizational objectives.undertake discrimination and harassment compliance
The HR function is not just restricted to trainings andaudits.
certification handling for other Six Sigma projects inThere are some legal issues which also need to be
other areas of the organization. Six Sigma can helpconsidered by the HR department regarding matters
find ways to satisfy the external customers as well assuch as privacy of personal information, employee
internal ones. Six Sigma can be useful to findhandbook publication and FMLA (Family Medical Leave
employees with leadership qualities.Act) and ADA (Americans with Disabilities Act), which
Appropriate Six Sigma training categorizes the teamneed accurate tracking to keep the details of all the
into either Black Belts or Green Belts. However, theemployees updated.
HR department should account for all this from theirThe handbook can be utilized as an area for
own database - and not on the basis of data fromemployees to have their questions sorted out, at least
other departments.at an initial level.
Data collection may face some resistance, as thereThere are also other areas for organizational
would be some power-based factors of the project.development to bring about improvements in
Additionally, upper management should assure teamsperformance, workplace planning, and career planning
of all departments that the data will not be used forand importantly employee satisfaction. Surveys and
any punitive action or to cut costs and jobs.publication of the results of the ongoing improvements
Areas for Improvement Opportunitiescan help get good results.
From the data collected, the HR department will findThere are other areas, such as staff selection and
many areas where Six Sigma projects can beretentions, undertaking training, employee orientation's
undertaken for implementation.programs, provision for external education that need to
Payroll administration systems can be considered.be taken care of.
Faster performance review systems for jobThere are many projects possible for improvements in
evaluations, setting up systems for automaticthe work system. It is the internal customer, the
paycheck deposits, projects to establish criteria andemployees, who should be considered when
eligibility systems for employee stock options and soundertaking Six Sigma projects in the HR department.
on could be considered and carried out.