Chronicle Editor
Leonard Ncube in Victoria Falls
HUMAN resource practitioners have been challenged to come up with strategies that assist companies and institutions to contribute to productivity and economic revival.
Public Service, Labour and Social Welfare Minister Prisca Mupfumira, who was guest of honour at the Institute of People Management of Zimbabwe (IPMZ) 2017 convention that ended here on Friday, said HR practitioners were closer to workers hence they hold the key to motivation of workers and increasing productivity.
“Economies are shrinking hence you as HR managers should have extraordinary skills. Government through Zim-Asset calls on you to practice extraordinary leadership and as such you should fully understand provisions of legislation,” she said while officially opening the two day convention.
Minister Mupfumira urged HR practitioners to monitor attitudes of employees and have a vision for the future based on company values.
“Values are not quantified in figures but based on character. You should be guided by honesty, character, truth, love, loyalty, authenticity, teamwork and self-control.
“You should be HR practitioners par excellence and see beyond quarterly reports and be extra ordinary leaders with a great vision as well as look into the future to bring innovative solutions and new ideas,” she said.
“HR is the closest profession to workers and unfortunately you had to deal with the painful retrenchment and downsizing issues.”
Minister Mupfumira was referring to events in 2015 when thousands of workers lost their jobs after employers dismissed them on three-month’ notice following a landmark High Court ruling.
The theme for the conference was: “HR winning the race on the market.”
IMPZ outgoing president Dr Ushendibaba Madume said the new HR practitioner was now more involved in decision making than just being a hirer of workers.
He said they were now involved in economic activities in the country.
“Our goal is to deliberate on issues, which we can then utilise when we go back to our different companies. The new HR is not only there to hire and fire but we are now in strategic decision making in business who can sit at the end of day and look at production levels.
“As such we have to be involved in turning around the economy,” Dr Madume said.
He said HR managers were also not spared by the 2015 retrenchments, which they were initially meant to enforce themselves. Dr Madume said the profession remains relevant despite digitalisation as no company can do without an HR practitioner.
He, however, called on members to evolve and digitalise themselves. There are about 1 600 registered HR professionals who renew membership with IPMZ. At some point the country had more than 30 000 practitioners.
@ncubeleon
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