How Should HR Handle Factory Infrastructure Upgrades? Steps, Timelines, and Cost Insights

Can someone please help me - when a company decides to bring about improvements in the factory infrastructure, how should the HR department proceed? What is the step-by-step procedure that is followed by the HR department? Also, how long does each step take to complete, and how and where does the cost estimate relationship come under the decision of infrastructure changes?

Please reply.

Thank you

Hi,

Though I am a student of MBA, I studied something about the work culture and climate provided. If the organization is going to bring improvement in the infrastructure of the organization, consider the following:

1. The attitude of the employee.
2. The ways in which the change affects the employee.
3. The total investment allotted by the finance department.
4. The cost estimation should be favorable to the organization and should satisfy the employees.
5. Please never ignore the attitude and suggestions of the employees.

Do you find this okay?

With regards,
Jayavel.K

This is an important aspect to increase morale and the environment for employees. Employees spend most of their time at the workplace and utilize the facilities provided. Therefore, their self-care attitude needs to be taken care of, and their role should be considered by HR and administration when addressing these needs.

"Factory Infrastructure Changes" refer to changes in the building, layouts, etc. If (and it must be) registered as a "factory" under the Factories Act, then the changes to the approved plans of the factory, sanctified at the time of the license grant, will need to be recertified. This is a technical matter, and HR can only act as a facilitator between the company and the Factory Inspectorate. If the change does NOT involve an amendment to the license and the existing "approved plans," then other issues such as employee feelings, costs, and other implications will be more significant.

If you elaborate on your question, a more comprehensive reply is possible!

Regards,
Samvedan
October 6, 2005

Hi,

You have not mentioned the type of factory, whether it is a process or manufacturing unit, etc. As per the requirements for renovation, the following factors need to be considered:

1. Current structure and machinery
2. Future expansions
3. Operator/worker working methods
4. Input and delivery points
5. Transportation aspects
6. HACCP methods
7. Employee change rooms and restrooms proximity to the workplace
8. Maintenance workshop proximity to utilities

This is a coordinated job that requires input from various departments. It is important to conduct a briefing and gather suggestions from all levels of employees.

Karunadasp

Dear sweet_honey,

The following should be done in case of a change in the infrastructure of the factory:

HR needs to:

1) Meet all the Statutory Obligations under:

(i) Factories Act, 1948 with allied Rules

(ii) Public Health and Hygiene

(iii) State Pollution Control Board

(iv) Municipal Laws

2) To inform, educate, and convince employees regarding the changes; to negotiate and arrive at a settlement in case a Union is present. If the Union is strong, the settlement should be a formal bipartite settlement.

3) Give inputs to management regarding all aspects that are going to affect HR function due to the changes.

4) Convince and implement changes that you feel are necessary for the betterment and welfare of Human Resources. For example, I had made a total overhaul of our faulty and old drinking water pipeline system during the change in Factory infrastructure.

5) Last but not least, never pass any negative comment once the plan of infrastructural change is approved. Do all negotiations in the planning stage because it would result in unnecessary unrest and grievances as humans, by nature, resist changes.

Regards,

SC