Development of Human Resources Management
HRM, at least in a primitive form, has existed since the first attempts at group effort. Certain HR functions, even though informal in nature, were performed whenever people came together for a common purpose. During the course of this past century, however, the processes of managing people have become more formalÂized and specialized, and a growing body of knowledge has been accumulated by practitioners and scholars.
An understanding of the events contributing to the growth of HRM can provide a perspective for contemporary policies and practices.
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USA HISTORICAL DEVELOPMENT OF HRM PRACTICES |
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YEAR |
EVENT |
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1796 |
Earliest authenticated strike in America; Philadelphia printers seek to gain minimum weekly wage of $6.
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1848 |
Passage of a law in Philadelphia setting a minimum wage for workers in commercial occupations.
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1881 |
Beginning of Frederick W. Taylor’s work in scientific management at the Midvale Steel Plant in Philadelphia.
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1883 |
Establishment of the U.S. Civil Service Commission.
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1886 |
Founding of the American Federation of Labor (AFL).
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1912 |
Passage in Massachusetts of the first minimum wage law.
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1913 |
Establishment of the U.S. Department of Labor.
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1915 |
First course in personnel administration, offered at Dartmouth College.
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1920 |
First text in personnel administration, published by Ordway Tead and Henry C. Metcalf.
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1924 |
Point method of job evaluation developed by the National Electric Manufacturers’ Association and the National Metal Trades Association.
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1927 |
Hawthorne studies begun by Mayo, Roethlisberger, and Dickson.
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1935 |
Establishment of the Congress of Industrial Organizations (CIO) by several unions previously affiliated with the AFL.
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1539 |
Publication of the first edition of the Dictionary of Occupational Titles. |
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1941 |
Beginning of U.S. involvement in World War II, demanding the mobilization of individuals trained in personnel management and the rapid development of personnel programs in the military and in industry.
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1955 |
Merger of the AFL and CIO.
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1957 |
Federal Women’s Program established by the U.S. Civil Service Commission to enhance the employment and advancement of women.
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1975 |
Beginning of a professional accreditation (now certification) program by the Personnel Accreditation Institute.
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1978 |
Passage of the Civil Service Reform Act, which established the Office of Personnel Management (OPM), the Merit Systems Protection Board (MSPB), and the Federal Labor Relations Authority (FLRA).
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1982 |
Beginning of the erosion of the employment-at-will doctrine, with increasing attention to “just cause” terminations.
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1985 |
Increased emphasis on employee participation in organizational decision making to improve productivity and competitive position.
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1990 |
Heightened awareness of privacy rights of employees as employers monitor employee performance.
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1991 |
Increased emphasis on global HR practices; greater use of temporary employees; observed
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1995 |
Emphasis on sexual harassment; heightened attention to greater diversity in the workforce; increased emphasis on total quality management; and downsizing or “rightsizing” of organizations.
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