A Major Global Issue In Human Resources

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Kim’s House of fashion is an international fashion house located in London, England. Kim’s House of fashion was conceptualized and realized by world renowned fashion designer Kimani Thomas who is Jamaican by birth. We at Kim’s house of fashion intend to set up a subsidiary in Jamaica to be centrally located in main street Ocho Rios in comfortable surroundings. Kim’s House of Fashion Jamaica will specialize in clothing, footwear and accessories for male, female and children. All items sold in the store will be of the highest quality international designer wear as well as local manufactured clothing will be available. Affordable prices for goods in a comfortable customer friendly environment will be found at Kim’s House of Fashion Jamaica. The fashion industry is an ever expanding enterprise and we at Kim’s House of Fashion believe that a niche market is available in Jamaica to tap into. With the high demand for stylish, chic, tasteful and fashionable clothing this new subsidiary will be highly successful. Our work force will vary in qualification but well trained. It should not prove difficult to meet our human resource needs with the vast pool of individual seeking gainful employment in the island of Jamaica. Being and international company extensive research was done before the decision was made to expand to Jamaica. This is not merely an idealistic venture of returning to ones roots but a sound investment guarantee to double the returns for this fashion house while improving lives and developing the nation. We intend to employ a dynamic workforce striving to achieve one goal success of the company.

LITERATURE REVIEW

Miscommunication across cultural lines is usually the most important cause of cross-cultural problems in multinational companies. Miscommunication can have several sources, including: differences in body language or gestures, different meanings for the same word, and different assumptions made in the same situation. The same event can be interpreted many different ways depending on where one comes from. The norms and mores of a particular workforce in a country as to be taken into consideration to prevention of miscommunication.

A major global issue in human resources is access to and the utilization of emerging technology. The second most significant issue is the implementation of such information and technology. The increased ability of companies to provide information to their employees creates an environment where information is conveniently available through the Internet, but it also raises questions about information privacy. Redefining the traditional workplace and working hours. The advent of the Internet and the availability of online resources make it possible for many people to complete their jobs in locations away from the office. HR leaders will need to address this trend and possibly cause companies to rethink their positions on both part-time and telecommuting work. Providing employees with flexible working environments may make it possible to attract employees who have additional obligations that impede their ability to work in a traditional business environment. These factors may vary in different countries.

Jamaican Ministry of Justice has enacted a number of statutes that provide employees with rights to minimum terms and conditions of employment. Laws exist to ensure that workers are paid a minimum wage, receive adequate notice of termination of employment and obtain redundancy payments where applicable. Further provisions protect the rights of women to reasonable maternity leave and pay. Non-Jamaican nationals must obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security before starting employment in the country. Anyone who starts work without the required permit may be prosecuted. Foreign nationals who have received a job offer should include with the work permit application a letter from their prospective employer confirming the offer of employment.

Recruitment of Employees is one of the most fundamental roles of the HR department. This is because this function ensures that the Company under consideration selects the most skillful and competent person from a sea of applicants at that time. This function involves evaluation of ability and competency of potential employees in relation to what the Company needs. If this function is performed well, then the organization will increase value consequently being on the right pathway to achieve its organizational and departmental goals and objectives.

Training and development are planned learning experiences that teach workers how to effectively perform their current or future jobs. Training focuses on present jobs, while development prepares employees for possible future jobs. Training and development practices are designed to improve organizational performance by enhancing the knowledge and skill levels of employees

In the recruitment of employees by Kim’s House of Fashion we intend to chart the following process. First of all the Company can conduct educational and psychological measurements. This task will involve assessment of abilities, skills and character evaluation of applicants. Through psychometric evaluation, the Company will ensure that employees have the right attitude necessary to fit into the organization and then an interview will follow. Here, the Human Resource Department can ask applicants questions that evaluate their decision making abilities and how they would deal with certain situations if presented with them. The Department can also employ the use of written interviews where applicants answer questions addressing key issues in the organization. Through these channels, the Department contributes towards organizational performance.

OBJECTIVES

Kim’s House of Fashion Human Resource Department aims and objectives are as follows:

To build a work force of dynamic , talented and goal orientated individuals

To ensure that employee/employer rights are taken into consideration at all times

To provide opportunities for growth and upward mobility the organization

To provide accessible, customers, Friendly and personalize service to all by our highly trained staff.

We at Kim’s House fashion will provide quality and afford casual, semi-formal and formal designer wear for male and female in rural areas to provide high quality durable footwear for male and female and make beautiful and fashionable accessories available for all.

METHODOLOGY

To select an extremely talented workforce Kim’s House of Fashion will employ the procedures. The data collection method of the research is secondary collection of data. Information was acquired by second hand which is not directly from the source. The use of text books and internet sources are also another method by which information was obtain for this research. The limitation with using secondary source is authenticity of the data especially internet source as some posted information is not validated. All sources should be credible.

Kim’s house of Fashion intends to follow due diligence and exercise extreme caution in the selection of its staff. The Company will notify the public about vacancies and the recruitment of staff through printed and electronic media and on the internet. We will then posts a questionnaire online and interested parties fill it at that time. This is then evaluated and those who fall within their minimum requirements are invited for an interview. In the interview, applicants are asked a number of questions and those who did extremely well are further analyzed and retained. Those who did moderately well are not immediately eliminated; instead, their interview questions are kept on file then these are reviewed after six months. By so doing, Kim’s house of Fashion makes sure that its employees are highly capable and that they will enrich the organization. This is the same technique used at the London office. The online questionnaire may give incorrect qualification which can be picked up at the interview stage. Before the setting up of Kim’s House of Fashion Jamaica limited consultation as to be done with locals and oversees personnel qualified in this area.

ANALYSIS AND FINDINGS

Kim’s House of Fashion Will be duly registered with the registrar of companies Jamaica. Government regulation will be adhere to with guidance of our attorney at law in the preparation of the following documents which will be submitted before Kim’s House of Fashion can set up their Jamaica location:

Memorandum of Association- which states the external relationship of Kim’s House of Fashion.

The article of Association- this contains the constitution of the company.

A list of directors

A statement of nominal capital; the amount and distribution of capital.

A declaration that stipulates compliance and adherence to the company act signed under oath. Stamp duty is paid to the relevant government authorities and documents presented to register of companies which in return will issue the certificate of incorporation. This document allows Kim’s House of Fashion to go into operation Kim’s House of Fashion will be compile to all taxation which the government requires of us, the taxies payed direct or indirect. We will as follow each rule and regulation which may be set up by various countries regulatory bodies and entities. Some of these entities include The St Ann Council, the Bureau of standards.

Persons who travel to Jamaica who plan to work or conduct business there should be aware of the employment laws in the country. The Kim’s House of Fashion Jamaica will abide by all laws in this new subsidiary. Jamaican Ministry of Justice has enacted a number of statutes that provide employees with rights to minimum terms and conditions of employment. Laws exist to ensure that workers are paid a minimum wage, receive adequate notice of termination of employment and obtain redundancy payments where applicable. Further provisions protect the rights of women to reasonable maternity leave and pay. Non-Jamaican nationals must obtain a work permit from the Ministry of Labor and Social Security before starting employment in the country. Anyone who starts work without the required permit may be prosecuted. Foreign nationals who have received a job offer should include with the work permit application a letter from their prospective employer confirming the offer of employment.

The Jamaican Minimum Wage Act provides all employees with the right to a minimum wage The Ministry of Labor and Social Security, upon advice from the Minimum Wage Commission, sets different minimum wage rates for workers carrying out specific roles. The current minimum wage in Jamaica is five thousand five hundred dollars ($5500.00). Employers who fail to comply with the minimum wage rates may be fined by the resident magistrate. The Employment (Termination and Redundancy Payments) Act as stated by the Jamaican constitution provides for minimum periods of notice for employees who have been working for four weeks or more. Employers must give at least two weeks' notice in writing to employees who have been working for less than five years, and at least four weeks' notice to those who have been employed for between five and 10 years. Section 5 of the Employment (Termination and Redundancy Payments) Act provides an employee with the right to a redundancy payment if his employer ceases to carry on business. According to Section 6, no redundancy payment is due if the employer has terminated the contract for reasons relating to the conduct of the employee. Upon redundancy, employers must provide employees with a written statement detailing how the redundancy payment has been calculated. The Jamaican Maternity Leave Act provides female employees with the right to take maternity leave if they have been working with the same employer for at least a year. According to Section 3, employers must grant employees a period of 12 weeks' maternity leave, with an additional 14 weeks upon receipt of a certificate from a medical practitioner. During maternity leave, employers must pay female employees maternity pay for a period of eight weeks. These laws which were sited will be the most that will impact the setting up of Kim’s House of Fashion in Jamaica.

From our questionnaire and interviews certain key factors were retaliated by most respondents:

The need are gainful employment in comfortable surroundings and be fairly compensated

The preference for a fixed work schedule

Room for growth and development in the organization

Approachable and visionary managerial staff

The need for special concessions and bonuses

DECISIONS

Upon the selection of our workers extensive training will be done. Kim’s House of Fashion must first determine its training needs and then select/develop training programs to meet these needs. Each new recruit will undergo a six week training programme before being employed. Staff from the London office as well as local personnel will train these recruits. After the training each employee will serve a six months probation period then a period of one year before being employed permanently. Steps will be taken to ensure that workers apply what they have learned on the job. From time to time workshops and training seminars will be held to foster staff development.

Before the setting up of Kim’s House of Fashion Jamaica limited consultation as to be done with locals and oversees personnel. Upon hiring of individuals a consulting contract will be signed. A consulting employment contract usually involves the production of an idea or development of a plan. Moreover, the agreement is usually task-oriented in that the employment will cease when the task is completed. On the initial employment of day to day employee a fixed-term employment contract will be implemented. In this employee will be hired for a six months period to our establishment. In other words, the contract contains a specified start date and termination date. Therefore, the employee and the employer are aware at the outset of the exact date when the employment will terminate. Usually, utilizing a fixed-term contract minimizes legal challenges based upon termination issues, since the termination is described in the contract. However, legal recourse may still be permitted for a wrongful termination. In some cases the contract may be terminated without notice. Following the six month probationary period a further one year contract will be signed.

If within this year the employee performed satisfactorily and after a good performance evaluation a permanent contract may be implemented. The majority of employed people in a full-time contract are employed for an unspecified amount of time, receiving an annual salary and certain rights. All employees are entitled to a minimum wage, a safe place to work, regular breaks and leave. Full-time contracts also may include: health care benefits and other bonuses such as a company car and share options. Tax is usually paid through a Pay As You Earn (PAYE) system, where tax is directly deducted from the wage. A tax registration number (TRN) is required when starting work in Jamaica. This should be given to the employer. The employer then notifies the relevant tax office with the new employee's TRN number and tax is automatically deducted monthly from the pay. Permanent employees will get health benefits and pension plans.

In this new subsidiary in Jamaica Kim’s House of Fashion employees will be well motivated to level high of performance. This can be done through rewards especially for those who have done well. The HR department will evaluate performance of employees and those who have exceeded expectations will be compensated for their actions. Research has shown that rewarding employees for good performance is the number one incentive for keeping up this trend. These compensation packages can come in any of the following ways;

- Holiday Offers

- End of Year Bonuses

- Equities

- Awards

- Salary Increments

- Provision of Flexible Working Hours

- Upon successful completion of projects parties may be held to celebrate

- Any team member who satisfactorily completed all assigned work packages on time will receive a certificate of thanks from the CEO.

-Team members who successfully complete all of their assigned tasks will have their photo taken for inclusion in the company newsletter and/or employee of the month photos.

- Straight forward Promotion Schemes and Career Developments

When these incentives are implemented at our company, then it will ensure that employees are satisfied with the Company. It will also contribute towards good staff retention rates. This is especially crucial in increasing stability within the organization. It also makes employees identify with the firm and instills a sense of loyalty.

The top-down job performance evaluations in which employees are evaluated by their direct supervisor will be utilized by management at Kim’s House of Fashion. Some employees may have top-down evaluations from high-level supervisors as well as their immediate supervisor. A person's immediate supervisor is usually the person with whom he works most closely, so top-down evaluations can often give an accurate picture of performance.

We at Kim’s House of Fashion will provide employees with the opportunity to have balanced feedback on their work, giving praise and suggestions for performance improvement. Evaluations will be an opportunity for employees to share their career goals and considerations with managers, providing employers with insight into how a certain employee's career might progress. At our companies evaluation performance evaluation employees are provided an opportunity for open communication about performance expectations and feedback. Most employees want feedback to understand the expectations of their employer and to improve their own performance for personal satisfaction. We at Kim’s House of Fashion intend to align employee goals with corporate objectives through our performance evaluations.

CONCLUSION

It was concluded that setting up a business both international and locally will generate a lot of interest and investors.

It was also concluded that the internal and external environment is business friendly.