HRMT Assessment 3: Essay on Attracting and Retaining Mining Staff

This essay delves into the critical challenges faced by mining companies in attracting and retaining employees. It highlights issues such as shortages of skilled workers, high employee turnover, and the remote locations of mining operations, which impact the ability to attract and retain staff. The essay explores factors like the lack of suitable housing, inadequate school facilities for employees' children, and ineffective reward systems as significant deterrents. Furthermore, it discusses the impact of increased competition for labor, stagnating growth, workplace health and safety concerns, and restrictive leave policies. The essay concludes by emphasizing the importance of addressing these issues to improve employee attraction and retention, ultimately impacting the success of mining firms. The essay is based on research and provides a comprehensive overview of the HR challenges specific to the mining sector.

HRMT ASSESSMENT 3 - ESSAY:
ATTRACTING AND RETAINING
STAFF

Human resource management is the strategic approach that works to manage the
employees who are working in the corporation in an effectual manner (Kramar and et.al, 2014,
pp.553 (Ch.16)). In this regard, it can be said that for any corporation human resource
department has significant importance. This is because; the given department attracts as well as
retains employees in the firm. Thus, it is by complying with a given type of activity only
respective department tends to give its contribution to the success of the enterprise in an effectual
way. This essay is based on the mining sector. In accordance with the given context, it will give
information about key challenges which is being faced by mining firms in the process of
attracting and retaining employees in a corporation.
Herein, as per the viewpoint of (Hutchings, De Cieri & Shea, 2011, pp.90) shortages of
skilled employees is being regarded as one of the most key challenges which are being faced by
the mining sector. This is happening because at present no employees want to work in the given
sector. This is because of the tight work schedule and remote work location. It is due to the
presence of these two issues only no employees are making efforts with regard to improving
their mining skills in an effectual manner. However, if employees will work towards the same
then in this condition mining sector problem of skill shortages can be improved. The given thing
will provide benefit to the enterprise in the form of increased profit and sales in an effectual way.
On the other hand (Hutchings, De Cieri & Shea, 2011, pp.92) have also explored in their study
that employee turnover is being regarded as one of the biggest issues which are being faced by
mining companies. This is because there is very less number of employees who are ready to
work in the locations where these companies operate. In this regard, it is examined that generally
the work of mining firms are carried out in remote locations which are very far from the city.
Thus, for the firms, it will become very difficult with regard to attract employees towards the
company. This is because; in today’s scenario employees main motive is not only earning
money. At present they are more interested in living a peaceful and calm life.
In this regard, the (Dhakal and et.al., 2017, pp.335) have explored that in today’s working
scenario people wants to give equal time to both their work and family life. Hence, for today’s
employees family values matter a lot. However, in case if they will not able to spare some time
for their family members then in this situation they will take the decision for switching or
changing the job in an effectual manner. It is because of the given reason only attracting and
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retaining employees in the firm has become one of the most critical issues for the manager of the
mining industry in an effectual way.
On the other hand, it has also been argued by (Becker & Soosay, 2013, pp. 340) that lack
of availability of housing facility in the remote mining areas is being regarded as another most
critical reason which is creating a problem in the task of attracting and retaining employees in the
firm corporation. The work locations of the mining industry are very remote thus with an aim to
carry out work from the side of employees. The firm will have to make a proper provision of
housing at the specific location. However, in case if they fail to do so then in this situation the
manager of the firm will face the issue of attracting employees towards firm in an effectual way.
However, it is to be critically evaluated by (Makhubela & Ngoepe, 2018, pp.5) that mining
companies do make the provision for housing facility. But the facility which they provide
generally does not fit for the family of employees. This is because the type of apartment or the
houses which these companies provide are so small that it will become very difficult for the
employees with regard to get their family in the specific location in an effectual manner. On the
other hand, as per the viewpoint of (Raman, 2018, pp.84) if housing facility of the mining sector
is effective then another problem will come in front that is non availability of school for the
children of employees. It is due to the presence of a given aspect only it will become very
difficult for mining companies with respect to attract a large number of employees towards
companies. Thus, it is the reason why the given thing is occurring as a big challenge for the
firms.
In addition to this, as per the viewpoint of (Brown and et.al., 2014, pp.300) ineffective
reward culture of mining companies is being considered as one of the most significant reason
due to which employees are taking the decision of leaving the firm. Thus, because of the
presence of a given aspect, only firms are facing the problem of retaining employees in the firm.
Herein, it has been examined that the type of work which is being carried out in the mining
sector is full of hard work. Thus, in return of giving hard work to companies employees tends to
expect something in return in the form of reward. On the other hand, the culture of firm should
also be very supportive in nature. However, in case if they will not get the same then in this
situation their motivation will be affected in a negative way. It has been seen that employees will
not give their best performance if they feel highly dissatisfied from the assigned work. The
impact of the same will have on the productivity of the company. The given thing will also
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influence the sales and profitability related condition of a corporation in an effectual manner.
Thus, it is because of ineffective working culture only it is becoming difficult for the mining
firms with respect to maintaining highly skilled employees in the firm in an effectual way.
However, if the given thing will be improved by the firm then the problem of attracting and
retaining employees will be resolved.
On the other hand, according to the viewpoint of (Vivoda, 2017, pp.20) increased
competition for labor is occurring as one of the most major or the critical elements due to which
it has become very difficult for the corporation with regard to attracting a large number of
employees toward mining firms. In accordance with the given context, it has been examined that
there is a number of mining companies work in different nations (Syed & Kramar, 2017,
pp.279). Thus, they all come up with a varied type of tactics with an aim to attract highly
talented employees towards the company. The given type of things tends to raise the level of
competition between employees (Kramar and et.al, 2014, pp.411 (Ch.12) ). Hence, due to this, it
will become very difficult for the small mining firms which cannot afford a lucrative offer for
employees with respect to attract them towards the company in an effectual way. From the given
thing it is very correct to say that the level of competition about labor also plays important role in
the task of attracting employees. Besides this, because of the presence of given aspect, there are
many firms that are not able to carry out their efforts in terms of fulfilling their needs and
demands in relation to the employees in an effectual manner.
In addition to this, as per the viewpoint of (Patnaik and et.al., 2018, pp.608) stagnating
growth is being regarded as another critical reason due to which it is becoming difficult for the
mining company with regard to attract as well as retain employees in the firm for the longer
period of time. For example, it is identified that the job position in mining companies is defined
in an appropriate manner (Kramar and et.al, 2014, pp.1-3). Further, an employee will have to
work in the position for several years. However, this does not mean that their salary will become
stagnant. Here, the salary of employees will increase but no improvement will be seen in the job
title of the worker. This is a very serious matter of concern. This is because for many employees
job title or the position matter a lot apart from the given salary. Thus, if they will not found the
same then in this situation they will take the decision for leaving the job from the specific
company. On the other hand, they will search for such type of company which will have a well-
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defined career path. It is very essential for the mining firms that they should take care of the
given thing also.
Moreover, (Dhakal and et.al., 2017, pp.333-334) have stated that workplace health and
safety is being regarded as another most important aspect which is creating issues in the process
of attracting and retaining employees in the firm. The type of work which is being carried out in
the mining sector is very dangerous. Thus, it is very important for the firms that they should take
care of the health and safety of its respective employees. This can be done by providing them
with all sorts of safety equipment. But, on the basis of analysis, it is examined that the firms are
not taking care of the given aspect. Here, there are many workers which are complaining that
firms do not make an upgrade in their safety gears. Thus, due to this, they have to carry out the
work of the firm from the old safety gears only (Kramar & De Cieri, 2005, pp.32). It is because
of the presence of given aspect only they will not be able to carry out their efforts in terms of
continuing their employment in the mining companies. Due to this, they are taking the decision
to join some other safe and secure job. Hence, the firms should work in the given aspect also in
an effectual way.
Furthermore (Raman, 2018, pp.90) has entail that leave entitlement policy of mining
company is very ineffective. In this context, it is identified that for the employees it is very
difficult with regard to taking leave from their work. This is because; in mining company
employees will have to work 24/7. However, if there is a shortage of employees then the
workload will come over to the few employees. Due to the given reason, it will become very
difficult for them with respect to take leave from their work in an effectual manner. Hence, it is
because of the given problem also no individual wants to join the work of mining company in an
effectual manner. However, it is to be critically evaluated by (Makhubela & Ngoepe, 2018, pp.8)
that there are many mining companies which used to comply with the shift based type of
structure. Thus, the given thing will give the opportunity to the employees with regard to change
the shift as per their desire (Kramar and et.al, 2014, pp.577 (Ch.17)). For example, if employees
will have some work at night and he is on night shift then in this situation he can change the
night shift with the morning. It is through this way only employees can take action towards their
issue in an effectual manner.
Moreover (Patnaik and et.al., 2018, pp.620) have stated that increase mismatch between
available labor pool and required competency in labor market is another major challenge which
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is creating a problem in the process of attracting people towards mining companies. Due to this,
mining companies are not able to carry out their efforts in terms of fulfilling their needs and
demands relating to employees. The impact of the same will be seen on the profit of the company
in an effectual manner. Thus, these are some key challenges which are related to the mining
industry. Due to these only, firms are not able to attract and retain employees in the firm in an
effectual manner (De Cieri & Kramar, 2003, pp.42).
On the other hand, there are some tactics examined with the help of which mining
companies can attract as well as retain its employees within the firm. In this context (Dickie &
Dwyer, 2011, pp.340) have depicted that the manager of the mining company should make
efforts in terms of improving its compensation and reward management policy in an effectual
manner. Herein, the efforts should be made in terms of using a combination of both financial and
non financial reward policy. With respect to the non financial reward policy, manager of the firm
should make efforts in terms of recognizing the type of performance which is being given by
employees. This can be done if the firm will use the tactics like giving a letter of appreciation to
workers and giving some awards in a big function etc. Hence, it is through this way only
motivation, as well as satisfaction level of mining employees, can be enhanced. The given thing
will lead to cause direct impact on the profit of a firm in an effectual way. This is due to the fact
that an employee who is motivated tends to give better performance in comparison to those
employees who do not feel motivated.
On the other hand, mining employees can be retained in the firm if efforts will be made
by the manager of the enterprise with regard to clearly define the career path of the employees.
In accordance with the given context, manager of the firm should take help from the expert
individual. Here, individual should give clear information about what are the roles and
responsibilities which an employee will play if they tend to give their specific year of services to
the corporation. Such type of efforts from the side of mining firm will give a clear idea to the
employees will give clear information about their growth in the firm. On the other hand, they
will be able to imagine themselves in the different type of positions in the firm. Thus, it is
through this way only mining companies are able to achieve its goal of retaining the employees
in the firm in an effectual manner. The given thing will also enable the corporation with respect
to achieving its goals and objectives within the given specified time limit.
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Furthermore (Vivoda, 2017, pp.30) has also stated that for the purpose to retain
employees in the firm manager of mining company should arrange training and development
related programs for its employees. In accordance with the given context, effort should be made
with regard to improving the skills of its respective employees. The given type of thing will give
an indication to the mining workers that the company is very much concerned about them. Thus,
as a result of this, they will always try to give their best to the firm in an effectual manner. This
thing will also help in the task of improving the productivity of the enterprise. Further (Pearson,
2012, pp.70) has also stated that to make a recruitment of indigenous people, training should be
given to them in relation to numeracy and English skill. From the whole study it can be
concluded that in the mining industry it is not an easy task with regard to retain and attract
employees in the firm. This is because; there are different types of HR related issues associated
with the given sector. It is required by manager that it should take significant steps with respect
to all the assessed issues. If not taken then sales and profitability related condition of enterprise
will be affected in a negative way.
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