FUNCTIONS OF PERSONNEL BRANCH

PERSONNEL MANAGEMENT AND OBJECTIVES OF PERSONNELDEPARTMENT: 

From a small beginning in 1853, Indian Railway Network today, is the largest Public Sector Undertaking in our country where around 16 lakhs of employees are working.  With the increase in the size of the Railways and growth consciousness of the workers, Men have become the most important factor in Railways.  Unlike Machines, Human beings act and react favourably or otherwise when engaged in diverse working conditions and in tiresome jobs.

This may be for want of scope of advancement in one’s career, for want of due attention from supervisors in matters connected with service conditions or while facing situations, favourable or unfavorable off the job conditions.  Background of all these actions and reactions, favourable or unfavorable is personnel problems. In order to face the problems with Human approach, it is desirable that a Personnel Department manned by experts on personnel matters would function in big organizations.

Functions of Personnel Management

• Man power planning.
• Recruitment.
• Training and development.
• Placement.
• Transfer.
• Performance Appraisal.
• Promotions and demotions.
• Guidance on disciplinary matters.
• Wage and salary administration.
• Industrial peace.
• Grievances redressal and welfare activities.
• Incentives and financial aids.
• Settlement and pension.
• Arranging and maintaining post retirement benefits.

Personnel managers control the human factor in an Industry intelligently for getting the best result from the workers by developing their capabilities.  Personnel Manager aims at creating a team spirit and sense of discipline amongst workers.

Personnel Officers will relieve the departmental officers from the workload in personnel matters to the extent possible.  However, the departmental officer should have the main say in the placement of workers to ensure best utilization, economy and efficiency.

The Personnel Officer is also receptive to suggestions given by Departmental Officers on transfer to maintain efficiency and discipline. The Personnel Officers and Departmental Officers are jointly responsible for the efficient working of the administration.

Although the Departmental officers are relieved of Personnel work to a great extent after setting up of Personnel Department, they should also maintain close touch with their employees, receive their grievances on personnel matters and arrange to dispose of the same with the help of Personnel Officer duly keeping in view the rules and regulations laid down.

The Personnel Officers are also Welfare Officers who will concentrate on various Welfare activities such as promotion of sports, management of Holiday Homes, Institutes, Co-operative societies and canteens etc. Personnel Officer should see that the legitimate interest of the workers is protected and none of the workers feel that his needs remain unattended to.  Personnel Officers should take utmost care and interest in maintaining Industrial peace, keeping good relations with trade unions and help in maintaining congenial atmosphere for smooth working.

Personnel Supervision:

Productivity depends on technological factors and job performance. Job performance is based on morale and motivation to work.  A satisfied worker will certainly help in creating a good morale, but that alone may not lead to high productivity unless it is accompanied by a good motivation, which may be judged only on the workers attitude towards of the objectives of the organization.

Management should be vigilant towards the attitude of the workers and it should analyze on the causes for negative approach of the workers in their performance with a view to overcome them.  The management has to analyze and diagnose the needs of the workers for the purpose of achieving organizational objectives by maintaining close contact with the workers. 

Generally Personnel Department’s role is to communicate and implement policies.  They should play an important role by providing the required expertise in maintaining close industrial relations by liasioning with the Technical Executives.

Personnel Department activities do not end with staffing, once staff are assembled they must be properly trained to suit the job requirements and also motivated and satisfied. Personnel Officers need orientation to anticipate future challenges and equip themselves.  Thus the role of Personnel Officers has grown in scope and importance.