Investing in People introduces a
breakthrough approach to Human Resources
(HR) measurement that systematically
aligns HR investments with organizational
goals and helps make HR the true
strategic partner it needs to be.
Wayne F. Cascio and John W. Boudreau
show exactly how to choose, implement,
and use metrics to improve decision-making,
optimize organizational effectiveness,
and maximize the value of HR investments.
You’ll master crucial foundational
principles such as risk, return, and
economies of scale–and use them
to evaluate investments objectively
in everything from work/life programs
to training. Cascio and Boudreau also
introduce powerful ways to integrate
HR with enterprise strategy and budgeting
and for gaining commitment from business
leaders outside the HR function.
If you truly want “a seat at
the table”–or if you want
to keep the one you have–you’ll
find this book utterly indispensable.
Free software available online when
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Chapter 1: Making HR Measurement Strategic
1
Chapter 2: Analytical Foundations
of HR Measurement 21
Chapter 3: The Hidden Costs of Absenteeism
43
Chapter 4: The High Cost of Employee
Separations 67
Chapter 5: Employee Health, Wellness,
and Welfare 99
Chapter 6: Employee Attitudes and
Engagement 125
Chapter 7: Financial Effects of Work-Life
Programs 151
Chapter 8: Staffing Utility: The Concept
and Its Measurement 171
Chapter 9: The Economic Value of Job
Performance 195
Chapter 10: The Payoff from Enhanced
Selection 223
Chapter 11: Costs and Benefits of
HR Development Programs 245
Chapter 12: Talent-Investment Analysis:
Catalyst for Change 271
Appendix A: The Taylor-Russell Tables
285
Appendix B: The Naylor-Shine Table
for Determining the Increase in Mean
Criterion Score Obtained by Using a
Selection Device 297
Review by Sue Meisinger
CEO of SHRM
"If you can't measure it, you
can't manage it."
It's a lesson I learned more than
twenty-five years ago, as a young manager,
from one of the most effective executives
I've ever worked with. More importantly,
I also learned that "measuring
it" wasn't enough. What's measured,
why it's measured, and how the measurement
is used to drive outcomes are what
really matters.
As the human resource (HR) profession
has continued to evolve beyond transactional
responsibilities, many HR professionals
have embraced the fact that technology
enables them to collect and analyze
data efficiently and in ways never
before possible. They've discovered
that the ability to analyze, measure
and articulate HR's contributions to
organizational success allow them to
make even greater contributions within
their organizations. They're using
measurement to invest in people.
But many HR professionals aren't agile
in the use of measurements to move
their businesses forward. Some simply
don't know where to begin or are still
looking for the "one true way" to
measure—or are asking, "just
tell me what to measure and what the
number should be." They are thirsty
for an analytic framework that underlies
the whole issue of measurement.
The mission of the Society for Human
Resource Management (SHRM) is to serve
the HR professional and to advance
the HR profession. As you read this
book, I think you'll find that Investing
in People shares this mission. The
profession will be well-served by the
tools and analytic frameworks for the
use of measurement provided by Wayne
Cascio and John Boudreau. The observations
offered by the authors on how best
to "get started" in using
measurements to inform and motivate
strategic partners to think more clearly
about the implications of decisions
about talent will also serve the HR
profession well. By basing their work
on a foundation of solid scholarship
and practice gained through their academic
and consulting experiences, Wayne and
John help to advance HR as a profession
that is recognized as a decision science
requiring special knowledge and expertise.
—Susan R.Meisinger, SPHR
President and Chief Executive Officer
of the Society for Human Resource
Management
