Human resource excellence report : benchmarking best practice in human resource management

CONTENTS List of tables Series introduction Acknowledgements 1 INTRODUCTION The best practice debate The model of best practice Constraints on 'best practice' The audit process Structure of the report References 2 COMPANY PROFILES 3 THE HUMAN RESOURCE FUNCTION AND HR STRATEGY Board membership for head of HR The HR department HR function and the HR strategy case study - Virgin Our Price Conclusions References 4 HR PLANNING AND HR POLICIES Case study - Standard Life Human resource policies Conclusions 5 CHANGE MANAGEMENT Change as a constant Key trends Evaluating change programmes Case study - Halifax plc Conclusions 6 RESOURCING Resourcing in the current labour market Key trends Skills shortages Flexible working Evaluating resourcing Case study - Nortel Conclusions Reference 7 DEVELOPMENT AND COMPETENCIES The learning organisation and a learning age Management of employee development Competencies Appraisal Case study - Churchill Insurance References 8 THE MANAGEMENT OF EMPLOYEE RELATIONS Ensuring a climate of good employee relations Managing relationships at an individual level The partnership approach Case study - William Younger Case study - Port of Felixstowe Conclusions Reference 9 CREATIVITY AND INNOVATION Key trends Creativity and innovation Role of HR in creativity and innovation Case study - DHL Conclusions 10 COMMUNICATION Key trends Communications as essential for effective organisation Case Study - AA Insurance Services Case study - Ideal Hardware plc: the changing face of distribution Conclusions References 11 EMPLOYEE WELL-BEING Managing well-being in the organisational context Key trends Case study - Air Products References 12 CONCLUSION Human resource management comes of age Organisation development Are HR managers doing enough for creativity? Mens sana in corpore sano The HRM model and convergence of best practice APPENDICES A HR Awards 1998: Self-assessment questionnaire B Commendations by category C Winners by category Index