Human Resources Manager Vis-a-vis Motivational Climate

HUMAN RESOURCES MANAGER VIS-À-VISThe process of providing individual incentives by way
MOTIVATIONALof commissions, time saving bonus, merit pay etc., is
CLIMATEknown as rewards. It is also a strong motivational
BY PROF. M.S. RAOmonetary incentive. When the nature of work
Now-a-days, there is a growing significance attacheddemands its employees to work in teams in
to Human Resources(HR) manager due to the openingco-operation especially when the tasks are
up of economy, due to the growing liberalization,interdependent, the company offers group bonus as a
uncontrolled economy and also due to the fastfinancial incentive.
changing global business environment. In the past, he'Man can not live by bread alone', goes the saying. Man
was mostly treated as an executive involved inhas many needs to accomplish and money is the
conducting picnics and parties in the organization, apartmajor source of motivation. When people are
from the traditional role of dealing with all aspects ofmotivated by non-monetary factors, it can be termed
employees from recruitment to retirement. From theas non-financial incentive. The process of consulting,
last two decades, there was gradually more emphasisteam work, quality circles, job security, job enrichment,
of HR manager involving in the institution building. He isjob rotation, flexi time etc., fall in the fold of non-financial
considered as an integral part of the institution and heincentives.
participates in the formulation of the organizationWhen the management encourages the employees to
strategy and policy on par with any other line manager.take part in major strategic plans and encourages
He plays a pivotal role in meeting the organizationalthem to actively involve in formulating strategies and
goals and objectives.policies for the organization, the employee draws a
One of the challenging areas for an HR manager is togreat pleasure and feels a sense of great
maintain a motivational climate within the organizationachievement and contributes his best. Rather he
so as to ensure better productivity and performance.unconsciously delivers his best and he is closely
He needs to ensure a healthy, positive, vibrant,associated with the goals and objectives of the
constructive, creative climate so that the employeesorganization. This is known as consultation. And we
get motivated and in turn deliver best possible results.can say that consultation is the key to motivation.
Earlier, organizations laid stress on technology only andThe process of forming various teams from the staff
neglected the most precious capital i.e. humanwith similar backgrounds of trade will encourage them
resources. It is a well admitted fact that there isto work harder as no team wants to loose. All human
always a man behind the machine. Whatever thebeings have competitive spirit and all teams put their
inventions made by man leading to technologicalbest efforts and energies in order to ensure their team
revolution, brought drastic changes in the day to dayto win from the rest. This concept is popularly known
quality of work, life styles etc., It proves beyond doubtas team work which is again a non-monetary one.
that it is the man who calls the shots everywhereWhen the group of employees led by a higher official
despite marvelous growth in technology as thetakes the lead in order to improve the quality of the
technology is again in the hands of the man.products and services it is known as quality circles.
Several ways and means are adopted to keep theForming small groups under the leadership of an
employees moving in the right direction so as to meetindividual not only ensures accountability but also
organizational goals and objectives. Different peoplemotivates the body of employees and also the official
get motivated by different ways depending upon theirto give out his best. In a nut shell, quality circle as a
needs. The HR manager must be able to find out theconcept ensures quality of products and services and
basic needs and wants of the employees so that rightalso pins responsibility and motivates employees to
ambience can be ensured for effective output. Apartcontribute their best.
from the regular pay and perks, the employees expectWhen a temporary employee is converted as a
incentives which are both monetary and non-monetarypermanent one, it is known as providing job security.
from time to time from the organization.The Govt. institutions provide job security while is not
The financial incentives basically offered in the industryso in the private enterprises. Employee feels more
are, compensation based on performance,safe and secure when his job is made permanent. Or
compensation based on competence, stock options,else, he will be always under the constant pressure
rewards, group bonus etc., When an employee deliversand fear of getting fired.
better results within a stipulated time frame byWith increased responsibilities and duties at the higher
exceeding the given standards it can be termed aslevel, can boost the morale of the employees as they
compensation based on performance. For instance,get enriched with their jobs and it known as job
when an employee is expected to produce 90 units,enrichment. For instance, when the vice-principal of an
with in the allotted working hours and if he produceseducational institution is offered the role of principal, he
100 units, then the employee is compensated with thefeels more important with the pride and status
amount for 10 units by way of monetary benefit.attached to the designation and delivers his best.
Similarly, when an employee delivers better, he canIn the present days, there is growing importance to the
also be compensated by way of additional bonus. Inresults not the presence of the employees. The
the case of a small scale industry, when an employeeorganizations are providing the opportunity to work in
contributes his best with his hard work, determinationflexible timings and laying more stress on results. The
and dedication and enhances the profits of theBPO and call centers are also fast adopting this
company, then the management takes notice of hisconcept of flexi time as the timings are different in
sincere efforts and motivates him by giving either adifferent places in the world. Flexi time will also
stake in the company or give away a percentage ofencourage the employees to choose their convenient
their annual profits.times to work so that the rest of the day can be
When the employee at the higher level managementallocated for other constructive activities creatively and
demonstrates his extraordinary leadership qualities byjudiciously.
resolving the conflicts either amongst the employeesWhen an employee works in a particular job for a long
or between the management and employee, he cantime, he gets boredom and monotony. Everyone
be offered monetary incentives and this concept iswants change whether in his life or work. Continuously
known as compensation based on competency. Thedoing the same task for long time kills the creativity of
word competency itself indicates extraordinaryan individual. For instance, if we take the same type of
qualities like leadership or trouble shooting, problemfood every day we lose interest to eat, yet we eat as
solving, conflict management etc.we have to survive. But, it will not please our taste
The software companies, now-a-days, are offeringbuds. That is why it is said aptly 'Variety is the spice of
Employee Stock Options (ESOPs) to its employeeslife'. When an employee is changed from one task to
who stick to the organization loyally and whoanother different task of his same field continuously it
contributes their best. The employees think that theyis known as job rotation. It is like rotating the job
are an integral part of the company and are motivatedcontinuously to generate new energy and enthusiasm
to work harder. They try to be more loyal and do notamongst the employees. It also helps the employees
intend to quit to other institutions for better pastures asto know all aspects related to his profession and when
they are already getting best from the presenthe is promoted to higher level he will be in a position to
company. The stocks that are offered will have aexecute his tasks at ease and comfort.
lock-in period to prevent the employees from sellingTo sum up, the HR manager played a pivotal role in
and going out of the company. It minimizes attrition ratethe past, is presently playing complex roles and will
too. These days, the non IT companies like Reliancecontinue to play more challenging, constructive and
are also resorting to ESOPs to their employees increative role in future especially in ensuring a positive
order to retain the experienced staff.motivational climate with in the organization.