e-HRM for Green HR Towards Green World!!!

e-HRM for Green HR Towards Green World!!!

Green awareness is not a new topic from last few years. Most interesting thing is HR professionals in the organization are not only aware about this rather they start working for it. As mentioned one of the article before how e-HRM can assist or organization’s to be greener through paperless office and others, this time few new points added in this article.

HR professionals in organization can develop a powerful social conscience and green sense of responsibility internal and external customers, stakeholders, partners etc. Recent times, consumers demand ethics and environmental credentials as a top priority. Society and business see their agenda align. HR department have to drive corporate behavior towards more environment friendly path. HR professional cannot wait for others like production or supply chain department or the engineering team will initiate the program. Its part of CSR and HR has to launch it now. The environmental lobby is so pervasive that organization, especially the HR department must be quick to react to consumer concerns about any aspect of their business which could be deemed unethical. Clear communication and clarity about products and services is essential. 

Pic Source: http://thegreenitguy.files.wordpress.com/2011/08/human_resources.jpg

Apart from above HR need to assist their SCM team to have strong control over their supplier networks to ensure that corporate ethical values are upheld across the supply chain, and be able to troubleshoot when things go wrong. This has led to many organizations taking greater ownership of key components of the supply chain through vertical integration. Rigid contractual obligations are in place covering every eventuality.

Green Audit by HRM: 

HR professional need to implement the green audit process within their organization. The audit process and quarterly organization reports are characterized by a focus on measuring greenness detailing carbon emissions ratings, and carbon exchange activity, as well as the more traditional company valuations. This is an indication of the importance shareholders and investors place on these issues which are reflected in the share price. They need to alarm others about big corporate fines. Brands can rise and fall on the basis of perceived green credentials, with government imposed corporate fines for bad behavior in this highly regulated world. Corporate responsibility is not an altruistic nice to have, but a business imperative.

How HR will Manage Human Capital in the Green World:

- HR Folks, your current human capital (employees) are expected to uphold corporate values and targets around the green agenda. Most are given carbon credit tokens which are used like ration books to be cashed in for printing documents in hard copy, company travel and other anti-societal activities. So, be cautious and start campaign about no print, less utility and stationary as well as toiletries e.g. toilet paper, napkin consume.

-  To attract fresh blood in your talent pool note the followings: new graduates look for employers with strong environmental and social credentials; in response HR departments play a key role in developing the corporate social responsibility programme. Failed to do so, for sure you’ll lose some talents.

-  Be proactive. Manage your top management to allocate fund for virtual social and work network. Make the office fully equipped with latest technology like internet, informative and interactive website, skype, linkedIn, FB, Twitter and others. So that the sales, marketing team can communicate and give demonstration about the products. Less travel will not only save carbon emission as well as big amount of travel budget and time.

- If your organization have the budget please don’t hesitate to provide company transport between work and home to minimise the need for car use. This has led to many organizations choosing to relocate parts of their operation to where people are based and out of big cities.

Last but not least, if the world becomes unhealthy to live, there is no value of our Talent, Competency, Skill, Know ledges and Experiences. So, start your war now and say e-HRM for Green HR Towards Green World.

P.S: Any of my articles/write-ups can be shared, modified, used anytime for better Human Capital Management, with or without giving credentials. I do believe: Sharing is Caring :)

© Shaki, Ahmed R (2012), Candidate of PhD in HRM, UUM

HR Professional and Donating Blood

Human Resources Management is not only managing the employees within the organization but also guide them to work for each other as a team as well as extend the helping hands for others. Today, I am posting this article about “Donating Blood” to aware HR personnel and increase their love and care for others.

Why the Blood Donation?

It’s a voluntary act of allowing one's blood to be drawn out-of-body has many advantages besides giving that wonderful feeling of saving someone's life. The blood donated is stored in blood banks, to be subsequently used for transfusion. No doubt the first and foremost advantage of donating blood is the exalted feeling of saving someone's life. If we donate the little excess blood in our body, it could save someone's life without creating any problem for us. Instead it would help to alleviate some major health problems like heart diseases. Blood donation is an excellent way to get rid of excess iron accumulated in our body due to its overconsumption. Excess iron in the body can stimulate the formation of free radicals, which are responsible for causing damage to body cells and tissues. Free radicals are also associated with many diseases like heart diseases and cancer. 

By donating blood individual specially the men have higher chance to reduced their iron overloading. This iron overloading is also thought to increase the risk of heart diseases. Besides, iron oxidizes cholesterol, which is harmful for the arteries. Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease characterized by excess accumulation of iron in the tissues due to improper metabolism. The disease can cause damage to many organs like pancreas, adrenal glands, etc. It may also cause diabetes, liver diseases and heart diseases. So, donating blood on a regular basis would help you to regulate the level of iron in your body. Studies have shown that donating blood regularly can be beneficial for the heart and circulatory system and can reduce the risk of heart diseases, especially among young people.

Besides, blood donation also burns the extra calories and reduces your cholesterol level. After donating blood, the count of blood cells decreases in our body, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells in order to replenish the loss. So, it stimulates the production of new blood cells and refreshes the system. 

Role of HR Personnel about Donating Blood:

I am sure none of the prominent HR professional will claim that they don’t work for the people, by the people. HR practitioners not only work for the betterment of the employee’s of the organization as well as for the betterment of the society. Some may conceptualize it at Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) or whatever. HRM is always near to those who need the helps from others.

HR professional have the adequate opportunity to arrange the blood donation camp as well as make them as a hero or idol by start donating blood first. They need to put the examples of work for others by arranging such activities. They are the spokesman for the organization as well as the leader for the team. So, they need to take this initiative first.

They have to aware employees that there are no major disadvantages of donating blood, except that sometimes one may experience a drop in blood pressure due to hypovolemia (a state of reduced blood volume), which may necessitate cancellation of donation. Sometimes, one may also experience mild nausea or dizziness for a short while. But if you compare the health benefits and mental satisfaction that comes from saving a life, you will feel that benefits of this act of charity are not only restricted to the recipient, but also helps the donor immensely.

Besides making aware the employee about benefits of donating blood, HR department can arrange the blood donation camp in the University and other job camp as part of their CSR. I do believe that Blood Donation campaign can brings more benefits to them comparing to the thousand dollars advertisement.

Pic Source: http://www.gbsmalaysia.org/images/bloodbank.jpg

Iron overloading is also thought to increase the risk of heart diseases. Besides, iron oxidizes cholesterol, which is harmful for the arteries. Hemochromatosis is a genetic disease characterized by excess accumulation of iron in the tissues due to improper metabolism. The disease can cause damage to many organs like pancreas, adrenal glands, etc. It may also cause diabetes, liver diseases and heart diseases. So, donating blood on a regular basis would help you to regulate the level of iron in your body. Studies have shown that donating blood regularly can be beneficial for the heart and circulatory system and can reduce the risk of heart diseases, especially among young people.

Besides, blood donation also burns the extra calories and reduces your cholesterol level. After donating blood, the count of blood cells decreases in our body, which stimulates the bone marrow to produce new red blood cells in order to replenish the loss. So, it stimulates the production of new blood cells and refreshes the system. 

Before donating blood, your hemoglobin level will be tested. If it is low, then you will not be allowed to donate blood. Besides hemoglobin, your blood pressure level and body weight will also be checked. In addition, your blood will also be examined for detecting the presence of five diseases, namely, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, Syphilis, HIV/AIDS and malaria. If you are not suffering from these diseases, only then you will be allowed to donate your blood.

Few Facts about Blood Donation:

·         Whole blood donors can donate as frequently as every 56 days. A benefit from donating this often is that you receive a mini-physical once every two months.

·         Each whole blood donation can help as many as three people. One unit is divided into three parts: red blood cells, platelets, and plasma.

·         Whole blood donation only takes approximately 45 to 60 minutes.

·         Blood cannot be manufactured. It can only come as a gift from people.

·         The need for blood increases during holidays and summer months. People are more apt to be traveling and active during these times and thus are at an increased risk for accidents.

·         Statistics show that 25 percent or more of us will require blood at least once in our lifetime.

Reasons that inspires you for Donating Blood:

·     60% of the population will need blood at some time in their lives, yet less than 5% of the population donates.

·         Disasters like car accidents, fires, and other trauma cases happen every day and these patients need blood, and rarely do they need only one pint. A bleeding trauma victim can run through 100 units of blood in no time.

·       Donating blood is safe and a healthy thing to do. Not only do you get a free mini physical, including blood pressure check, heart rate, temperature and iron levels, but it's the fastest way to lose a pound!

·  For men, there is a life-saving benefit to donating blood. Men are at higher risk for "hemochromatosis or iron overload" a potentially deadly problem where too much iron builds up in the blood. It can lead to heart disease and other major health problems. Research shows if men give blood 3 times a year, they can reduce their iron overload and therefore their risk of a heart attack by as much as 50%!

·      Blood donors are true heroes. In fact, your one blood donation will be broken down into several components, enabling you, with just one donation, to save up to three lives!

© Shaki, Ahmed R (2012), Candidate of PhD in HRM, UUM