Why HR needs global standards

HRM talks to one leading HR director about why he’s advocating globally recognised HR standards.

“In 2005, the world’s largest HR member organisation – the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) – asked its members if we should or shouldn’t have HR standards. That is the wrong question, as HR standards are not optional.”
 
Neil McCormick, principal adviser at HRM Advisory, and Chris Andrews, director of HR at Bond University, talked to HRM about why HR needs to have some sort of globally recognised standards.
 
“In order to evaluate performance you need standards – every performance auditor understands that,” they said.
 
As well as improving performance evaluation, bringing in a set of HR standards will boost the quality of HR practice and clarify the value of HR management. It also allows focus on best practices, complete with timely revisions through clearer definitions of the different metrics and measures applied.
 
“According to the Strategic Business Plan for the ISO/TC 260 Committee, standards for HR will bring improvements in the quality of HR practice, leading to improvement in organisations’ performance,” McCormick and Andrews said.
 
The ISO/TC 260 Committee – otherwise known as the International Standards Organisation Technical Committee – consists of 24 participating countries and 18 observing countries worldwide. Australia, Canada, the US and Malaysia participate while New Zealand observes. As of writing, Singapore is not yet a member.
 
McCormick and Andrews explained that global HR standards will shed light upon the value that HR creates by providing a framework for consistent measures and processes across the global workforce.
 
“There is a need for greater consistency in the terminology used in HR management used to facilitate knowledge, innovation, international trade and practical exchange,” they said.
 

More like this:
Former Auckland employee has assets frozen in fraud case
UK company launches innovative “period policy”
Mercedes-Benz backing people, not robots

Recent articles & video

First-ever trial begins against New Zealand executive for WHS charges

Migrant workers warned of deportation amid growing offences

Supporting neurodiverse employees in the workplace

Google fires employees involved in April 16 protest: reports

Most Read Articles

Kiwi firms still looking to hire despite challenging economy

'We need to be constantly pulse-checking with employees'

Woolworths pleads guilty in $1.1-million wage underpayment case