Upgrade HR practitioners’ role to help maximise potential of workers

I agree with the report “HR staff must speak up, take on bigger role in firms” (Nov 23).

It is a sad fact that HR practices here are still primitive, and this is due to the apathy of bosses who have the notion that HR practitioners should focus on hiring, firing and ensuring the business operates in compliance with labour laws.

Such a mindset is obsolete in the ever-changing business landscape in which thinking out of the box is the buzzword.

Hence, it is imperative that top management should attach greater importance to HR practices and expand the managers’ area of responsibility.

Besides their traditional duties, HR practitioners must be assigned more important responsibilities such as business development, strategic planning and corporate governance.

In developed countries, HR managers play an instrumental role in charting the direction and strategy of the organisation, and more importantly, they have a say in key decision-making. They also sit on the board of directors, which is uncommon in Singapore.

In a global economy, human capital (our only resource) is of paramount importance, and we must utilise this precious resource properly and to the fullest, so that we can remain viable in the increasingly competitive business environment.