skill-link.com in a key HR gathering

Last week, skill-link.com participated in an important gathering of the Egyptian Human Resources Management Association (EHRMA). The event attended by the HR directors of the largest companies (local and multinational) discussed the impact of the difficult economic situation and how it affects staff and redundancies.

Since the trend in recessions is for companies to slash cost, payroll is usually one of the main items that management attempt to reduce. Since there are many cases of downsizing and forced redundancies in Egypt, the gathered HR managers discussed how this process could be minimized and smartly used (when unavoidable), instead of it being an across the board rule. One of the main task of the HR managers in companies in the process of cost cutting is working with the rest of the management team to identify various areas where savings could be realized before going for reduced head count and benefits.

Also, the moral issue of departing and remaining employees was discussed. This was the number one concern for most attendees.

The HR department itself, seen as overhead as opposed to a revenue-generating center, is often not spared. Attendees discussed at length in a workshop lead by Ms. Laurie Topozada how to measure the contribution of the HR functions and where these could be streamlined or rendered more efficient.

The EHRMA is the only national association that provides a forum where practicing Human Resource Managers and those professionals working in the field of HR (consultants, trainers etc.) could meet to learn and discuss trends and issues in Human Resource management. The association aims to promote the HR management profession as an integral component of the economic development of the community at large in Egypt and the region.