Current Issues and Challenges
According to (Pudelko, et al. 2015), there are various HRM challenges, that are faced by organizations. For example, organizations operating globally face the challenges of managing employees with cultural and institutional differences. Additionally, HRD has to manage the process of organizational change, and mergers, which has a direct impact on the employees (Torraco, R.J. and Lundgren, 2020). Furthermore, HRD also faces challenges related to employee engagement, staffing, talent management, training and development, performance appraisals and compensations, etc. (Renanita, and Himam, 2020). While, the key focus of this essay will be on the prevailing issues of bullying, harassment, and discrimination in the workplace, which have proved to be common challenges faced by most firms (Singh et al. 2021).
According to (Torraco, and Lundgren, 2020), discrimination and bullying in the workplace are serious issues that have negative effects on employees and the overall organizational culture. Where, workplace bullying is defined as a situation, which harms the well-being of one or more employees (Gardner, et al. 2020). The negative impacts of bullying on employees are physical, social and psychological (Bentley, et al. 2012). People may feel anxious, depressed, helpless, and unmotivated, which may cause post-traumatic stress and even suicide (Gardner, et al. 2020). Moreover, bullied people also experience aches, pains, cardiovascular problems, fatigue, etc. All these factors affect the productivity and satisfaction of the firm, which affects the firm’s productivity and success (Gardner, et al. 2020).
Furthermore, workplace discrimination or racism includes actions of institutions or individuals that are unfair towards others. Discrimination refers to unfair treatment based on characteristics including: race, gender, age, disability, or cultural differences, etc. (Okechukwu et al. 2014). It also has physical and psychological impacts on employees, which impacts their overall work performance. According to (Dos Santos, 2020), workplace bullying, psychological stress, and discrimination are based on internal elements and external elements (social and cultural environments) of the organization. Workplace unjust behaviour causes occupational hazards, stress, and other health and physical implications on the employees, impairing the whole work environment (Okechukwu, et al. 2014), as shown in Chart 1:
(Source: Okechukwu, et al. 2014)
Human Resource Development (HRD) has a prime role in solving organizational problems. Also, HRD plays an important role in enhancing organizational performance, encouraging a learning environment to increase employee growth, and take strategic initiatives to meet organizational goals (Torraco, and Lundgren, 2020).
