There is little doubt that human resource management is in something of a crisis. And in some circles, the dreaded word 'outsourcing' is doing the rounds. Although denigrated in most companies, HR is better networked than most other departments, and it would be a foolhardy managing director who considered a reduction in HR investment.
Companies lean hard on it when trying to reduce the cost of staff retention and acquisition.
When it comes to finding new staff, HR is at the sharp end, but the fact that HR people know their own company so well can be a disadvantage. When trying to attract new people, it can help to be on the outside looking in. Not surprisingly, many companies pay handsome sums to headhunters, the best of whom extract exclusive agreements and high retainer fees. But not all is peaches and cream in the world of jobhunting. Companies are annoying headhunters by advertising jobs on Web sites, and online jobs boards are bringing employers and candidates together in ways that candidates find more empowering.