LINE MANAGERS

Impact of Line Managers on Organization Performance

Impact of Line Managers on Organization Performance

Introduction

Line Managers are the individuals who play a very critical role in the human resource management of an organization. Line managers are also known as direct managers because they directly control other employees and are responsible for the performance of administration and other functional areas. Individual employees and working teams directly report to their line managers who ultimately are responsible for the performance of these teams in front of top management. Line managers are also responsible for the production of output. These managers are also responsible for the effectiveness of chain of command and flow of information, feedbacks from the lower level of hierarchy also flows through the channel of line of command.

Discussion

Literature on Line managers

A number of studies have been carried out to assess the role of line managers in human Resource practices. On the micro level (Wright & Boswell, 2002)has argued about the separate role of line managers in human resource process. Their argument was based on Micro or functional subfields of Human resource. (Terhalle, 2008) Have argued that Human resource management is mainly classified among two levels (Strategic level and functional level), and the success of an organization is majorly relying on its functional side which is associated with line managers. (Renwick, 2002) Identified that Line managers increased involvement in HRM has positive and negative implications. (Perry, 2008) Observed the outcome of delegation of HR task to line managers and they conclude that it results positive consequences for the organization. (Francis, 2006) Advocates that line managers don't have enough time and interest to train and guide employees according to the expectations of top management.

Responsibilities of a Line manager

Line managers have different responsibilities towards their organizations. Line managers are the individuals which ultimately oversee the functioning of operations. Following are some main responsibilities of a line manager

To be in touch with staff

It is the responsibility of a line manager to communicate and motivate the subordinates in order to make them give their best. To reduce the communication gap between the top management and lower end employees is the prime responsibility of a line manager. Line mangers should inform its subordinates about the changes taking place in HR policies.

To identify the training and development need of staff

Because of the excess and closeness, a line manager have on its employees, he is a better judge about the capabilities of his staff. So it is a core responsibility of a line manager to identify the lake of capabilities present in his/her staff and suggest the training through which those weaknesses can be improved.

To adopt equal opportunity policy

Line managers are liable to provide an equal opportunity environment to their staff; they should restrict the nepotism, harassment, victimization, discrimination and favoritism. The problems of staff should be addressed generously and effectively.

To report the senior management

Line managers play a role of the bridge between the senior management and lower ...