Allison Wright
MGMT410
Prof. Webb
12 February 2011
Week 6: Textbook Case Study
A Perky Way to Productivity 1. Human resource management is best described as the act of acquiring, developing and maintaining employees “to achieve the goals of the goals of an organization in an effective and efficient manner.” (Sadhuji, 2008). HRM achieves this through several forms of employee appreciation, including compensation, health benefits, and promotions. However, the benefits that a company offers can mean the difference between having a devoted employee and one who will be willing to leave once a better opportunity arrives. A sound compensation package is often more attractive than a high paying salary. HRM needs to apply the needs of the employees and analyze how it will also benefit the organization. Basic benefits such as health, vision and dental benefits, or 401K matching are no longer the only benefits that keep employees content, and this can affect their productivity. By structuring a benefits program that goes beyond basic needs, such as Zappos.com’s on-site healthcare, employees will feel more like assets instead of just workers. This will lead to a more productive workplace and a more profitable bottom line for the organization. The ever-changing trend of employee benefits “requires benefit staff to take a more strategic and consultative approach to their jobs.” (Hackett, 1996) This is especially true for the new aging workforce of baby boomers, who require a more specialized benefits package to accommodate their future (or near) retirement. HRM must continuously generate and review benefits packages that align with the functions of the organization to remain strategic. 2. As the passage states, both Genentech and Zappos.com go to great lengths in order to acquire and maintain only the best employees. With low