Ultimate Guide For HR Managers In Times Of Crisis

HR has always been considered as mere service providers in organisations and hardly looked upon as strategic partners. However, when there is a crisis situation, HR has an opportunity to undergo a transformation and build its position in the organisation as that of a business critical partner.
Here is a wonderful resource that'll explain what exactly should the role of HR in a crisis should be: Role of HR Managers: In Times of Crisis

Hello Namrata

I have gone through your article and appreciate your flair for writing even as a student of management and on topics relevant to the field.It is good and underlines the significance of HR in times of crisis. When every thing is going honky-dory in the organisation, other departments like finance and marketing claim credit for the wealth of the organisation. When the health pf the organisation starts deteriorating or the organisation becomes sick and bedridden, they choose HR to nurse the ailing patient through administering medicines of lay offs, retrenchments, wage cuts and other rationalisation measures. It requires lot of patience, tact, empathy, innovation, sensitivity(as you highlighted in your article) and maturity on the part of HR to see through an organisation through difficult times when no there is seen in the vicinity of the ailing patient.Therefore HR deserves to be strategic business partners as any other functionaries.Keep writing.All the best.

B.Saikumar

Thanks a lot Mr. Saikumar
It is overwhelming to receive such appreciation from someone so well-versed in the field. Yes, HR has been underrated over the years, but there is still room for HR to undergo evolution and soon it'll be at par with other departments.

Dear Sai kumar
Your observation and comparison is apt excellent and appealing.
Good note. Keep it up.
Thanks and best wishes
Ram K Navaratna
HR Resonance
Bangalore

Dear Namrata,
The role of the HR as has been rightfully pointed out by other colleagues as a fire fighter. Honestly, the HR is considered as a step son to the twin sons of Production and Finance departments. This happens because the HR keep themselves confined to the HR role/functions away to the main functions of the organisation. This is why they occupy the role of a play back singer and get the wrath of the management if any thing goes wrong whereas for things going fine (may be due to contribution of the HR) the Production or Finance, as the case may be, get appreciation.
There is , therefore, a necessity for the HR to appreciate their role as business partner instead of a guard and involve themselves accordingly.
S.K.Johri

Every coin has two sides. By and large it is true to say that HR in India is being considered as fire fighting job.There are ample reasons behind this, basic reason majority of our industries are family oriented and lacking in professionalism.They consider employee as servant not partner. Other side, most HR professional do not exert to acquire in depth knowledge and its application as per situation.Lastly hopping of job quite frequently.These are the reason in nutshell of HR is consider as fire fighter / service provider. Despite of this I am hopeful that HR will definitely have contributory role in India.Still Indian industries are in transition phase.