Lead the way, HR managers told

Minister of Labour, Dr. Esther Byer-Suckoo, is encouraging Human Resource (HR) practitioners to lead the way in implementing change within their organisations.

Delivering remarks at the Human Resource Management Association of Barbados Inc.’s 19th Annual Conference 2017, held at Radisson Aquatica Resort, last week, Dr. Byer-Suckoo said her Ministry has started a series of discussions on the future of work, which focuses on the fact that the workplace is becoming a diverse environment.

She pointed out that the future is going to place demands on businesses as they interact with international clients and partners, who may require them to work at a faster pace than is the norm in Barbados and other Caribbean territories.

“We may find ourselves having to work faster at our organisations. We may find ourselves investing in more and more technology in order to keep up with the pace.

“In fact, there is the on-going discussion across the world, as to whether or not the future will ac-tually see human workers in workplaces,” Dr. Byer-Suckoo said.

The Minister told the Human Resource Managers that they must pay close attention to international conversations regarding the possibility of the future of work leading to human beings being replaced by machines and computers. She told them that it is time they begin to have their own discussions about what can be done with workers who may be displaced.

“We know that it will mean new tasks for humans as we find more and more roles for machines and for computers. So it will be up to you the human resource professionals to be able to identify those tasks, and identify those persons who are suited for those tasks, even if they are not trained or certified.

“You would also have to be the persons to identify those skills and to determine matches in your organisations and the right fit for people. You will have to encourage persons to train,” Dr. Byer-Suckoo said. (AH)