Topic: COVID-19 creates new insights and management opportunities for
Human Resource Management. To what extent is it true?
The onset of the covid 19 pandemic in December 2019 has caused global mayhem
in all aspects, particularly in the economies of countries all over the world, which
have seen unprecedented, severe consequences. The COVID-19 pandemic has
undoubtedly altered most people’s lives, causing countries, societies, businesses,
and individuals to reconsider their lifestyles and work habits. Even the most prudent,
responsive, adaptive, and crisis-prepared enterprises have faced an unanticipated
difficulty as a result of this devastating pandemic. Organizations are wrestling with
the uncertainty and the various considerations to make when employee lives are at
stake and lockdown is imposed – often overnight. While some businesses tried to
stay afloat by revising and reconsidering their operating strategy and even their
orientation, a few were defeated in the struggle. Human Resource Management
occupies a prominent position at the heart of this turmoil, given the impact of
COVID-19 on employees and their need to protect their health and safety, as well as
managing personnel in a new working environment. Professionals in the human
resource management field have progressively found the bright side in the midst of
the chaos. COVID-19 has evolved into a unique opportunity to develop new insights,
new management chances, and a chance to harness untapped potentials for
businesses in particular and the Human Resources industry in general as a result of
efforts to adapt to the epidemic.
This essay first addresses the concept of HRM and the state of this industry during
the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic. The discussion continued with the main
point: new insights and opportunities for Human Resources Management emerged
based on positive change and adaptation during the COVID-19 pandemic. Finally,
the essay points out some real- life examples and evidence to support the argument.
To begin with, the term “human resource management” will be defined first. Human
resource management is the organizational function to manage all human- related
issues, to make proper use of the workforce and also to effectively use the existing
human resources in the organization. It can also be understood as the practice of
recruiting, hiring, deploying and managing an organization’s employees. Human
Resources Management has developed from what was traditionally the “personnel
department”. Human resource management plays a very important role in the
general economy because of the core functions it undertakes. Carnevale and Hatak
(2020) indicated that this industry plays a crucial role in helping employees
overcome difficulties caused by unexpected changes in the work environment as
well as in society. The professionals working in this industry have their skills,
knowledge and expertise to find and employ top talent, manage wages, train
workers, resolve workplace conflicts, help employees succeed in their roles and
ensure good working conditions.
The general state of the economy, as well as the Human Resource Management
industry in particular will be explored. Since the pandemic began, some American
workplaces have reported signs of anxiety, depression, and other detrimental effects
on their mental health and well-being. Due to the pandemic lockdown, some
companies have to deal with dismissals and reduction of the staff, which led to the
