Strategy for Human Resource Management Lecture 26 HRM 765

Last Lecture Vacation and Holiday Leave Profit Sharing plans Disability Insurance Programs contributory non-contributory –Social and recreational events, –employee assistance programs, –housing, –tuition reimbursement, –uniforms, –company-paid transportation, Modular plans: pre-designed package. Core-Plus Options Plans option to select other benefits. Benefits in different countries Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Topic Ensuring a Safe and Healthy Work Environment Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Introduction Management has both legal and moral responsibilities to provide a safe and healthy workplace. Work-related accidents, injuries, and illnesses are costly. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

The Occupational Safety and Health Act 1970 Federal legislation –Established health and safety standards. –Authorized inspections and fines for violations. –Empowered OSH Administration to ensure standards are met. –Requires employers to keep records of illnesses and injuries, and calculate accident ratios. –Applies to almost every U.S. business engaged in interstate commerce. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

The Occupational Safety and Health Act OSHA Enforcement Priorities –Imminent danger: Where an accident is about to occur. –Accidents that have led to serious injuries or death. Employer must report within 8 hours. –Employee complaints: Employees have right to call OSHA. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

The Occupational Safety and Health Act OSHA Enforcement Priorities Inspection of industries with the highest injury or illness rates –chemical processing –roofing and sheet metal –meat processing –lumber and wood products –stevedoring Additionally, special emphasis is placed on the handling of hazardous waste. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

The Occupational Safety and Health Act Random inspection Supreme Court ruled (Marshall v. Barlow’s Inc., 1978) that employers are not required to let OSHA inspectors enter without search warrants. Most attorneys recommend companies cooperate with inspectors. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

The Occupational Safety and Health Act OSHA’s Record-Keeping Requirements –Basis for record-keeping is Form 300 –Must report any work-related illness; report injuries that require medical treatment besides first aid, involve loss of consciousness, restriction of work or motion, or transfer to another job. –Incidence rate: Number of illnesses, injuries or lost workdays per 100 full-time workers. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

The Occupational Safety and Health Act OSHA Punitive Actions –Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1990 allows fines up to $70,000 if violation is severe, willful and repetitive. –Fines can be for safety violations or failure to keep adequate records. –Courts have backed criminal charges against executives when they have willfully violated health and safety laws. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

The Occupational Safety and Health Act OSHA: A Critique OSHA has made organizations more aware of health and safety. National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) has been researching and setting standards for new areas –blood-borne pathogens –chemical process safety –motor vehicle safety –protective equipment –ergonomics Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

The Occupational Safety and Health Act OSHA: A Critique Hazard Communication Standard, (1983), requires organizations to communicate information about hazardous chemicals by: –labeling containers –distributing data sheets –training employees in their safe handling Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Job Safety Programs Costs of Accidents –Workers’ compensation premiums. –Time lost due to injury. –Time to investigate/report accidents. –Damage to equipment/materials. –Work stoppages/personnel changeover. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Job Safety Programs Causes of Accidents –Accidents are generally classified as human or environmental. –Human causes responsible for majority of accidents. –Environmental causes include tools equipment physical plant general work environment Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Job Safety Programs Preventative Measures Education Skill training Engineering Protection devices Regulation enforcement Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Job Safety Programs Ensuring Job Safety –Management needs feedback from inspections, reports, and observations. –Safety should be part of organizational culture. –Top management must be committed to safety. –Safety committees empower employees to maintain a safe environment. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Job Safety Programs A Safety Issue: Workplace Violence Homicide is the number-two cause of work- related death. Recommended HRM actions: –Develop a plan, including review of policies and employee treatment. –Train supervisory personnel to identify and deal with troubled employees. –Implement stronger security mechanisms. –Prepare employees to deal with violent situations. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Maintaining a Healthy Work Environment Sick buildings are office environments that contain harmful airborne chemicals, or indoor pollution. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Maintaining a Healthy Work Environment Sick Buildings Suggestions for keeping the environment healthy include: –Making sure workers get enough fresh air. –Suspect building materials and furnishings. –Testing new buildings for toxins before occupancy. –Providing a smoke-free environment. –Keeping air ducts clean and dry. –Paying attention to workers’ complaints. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Maintaining a Healthy Work Environment The Smoke-Free Environment Costs of smokers include –increased health premiums –Absenteeism –lost productivity due to smoke breaks –maintenance costs –harm to coworkers by second- hand smoke Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Maintaining a Healthy Work Environment The Smoke-Free Environment Smoke-free policies at work include banning smoking or restricting it to properly ventilated designated areas.. Some employers offer incentives and help for employees to stop smoking. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Maintaining a Healthy Work Environment Repetitive Stress Injuries Injuries resulting from continuous, repetitive movements, such as typing. Also referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The most frequent injury is carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs in the wrist. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Maintaining a Healthy Work Environment Repetitive Stress Injuries Ergonomics, or fitting the work environment to the individual, can prevent repetitive motion injuries. Includes design of environment and furniture to fit the individual. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins

Summary OSHA Inspection and the inspector Costs of Accidents Preventative Measures Education Skill training Engineering Protection devices Regulation enforcement Sick buildings are office environments that contain harmful airborne chemicals, or indoor pollution. The Smoke-Free Environment Repetitive Stress Injuries (Typing) Injuries resulting from continuous, repetitive movements, such as typing. Also referred to as musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs). The most frequent injury is carpal tunnel syndrome, which occurs in the wrist. Fundamentals of Human Resource Management 8e, DeCenzo and Robbins