Personnel management is the area of management that is concerned with people at work and their interpersonal relations. The various other terms used for Personnel Management are ‘Personnel Administration’, ‘Labour Management’ ‘Industrial Relations,’ ‘Labour Relations,’ ‘Manpower Management’, and ‘Employee Relations.’ Characteristics of Personnel Management are discussed below:
Characteristics of Personnel Management
From the various definitions given above, the following important characteristics emerge, which also explains its nature:
(a) It is concerned With Employees:
Personnel management is a management of human resources. It is primarily concerned with the efficient utilisation and conservation of these resources. It considers employees as individuals and also as a member of a group.
(b) It is concerned With Personnel Policies:
Personnel management is concerned with formulation of personnel policies with regard to recruitment, selection, training, promotion, transfer, job evaluation, merit rating, working conditions etc.
(c) Creation of Cordial Environment:
A cordial environment is created in the enterprise where each employee contributes his maximum for the achievement of organisation’s goals. It becomes possible because each employee is treated on equitable basis and is given humane treatment.
(d) It is of a Continuous Nature:
The personnel function is of a continuous nature “It cannot be turned on and off like water from a faucet; it cannot be practised only one hour each day or one day a week. Personnel management requires a constant alertness and awareness of human relations and their importance in every day operations” (George R. Terry)
(e) It Ensures Economic, Social and Individual Satisfaction:
Personnel management is mainly concerned with the satisfaction of physical, social and egoistic need of the employees at all levels covering both ‘blue-collar’ and ‘white-collar employees.