As businesses grow and invest in HR processes, employees should also take an active role in their professional development. Career growth is not solely the employer’s responsibility; employees should take ownership of their development plans and seize opportunities that arise during the performance appraisal process.
The importance of career ownership
- Personal growth: Taking responsibility for one’s career ensures continuous learning and development. Employees who actively seek out training and development opportunities are better positioned to achieve their personal and professional goals.
- Alignment with organisational goals: By participating in development planning, employees can align their career aspirations with their organisation’s objectives. This alignment enhances job satisfaction and contributes to overall business success.
- Proactive skill development: In today’s fast-paced job market, skills can become obsolete quickly. Employees who take ownership of their training stay ahead of industry trends and maintain their value to their company.
- Enhanced performance: Engaging in development planning during performance appraisals allows employees to identify areas for improvement and work towards specific goals. This proactive approach leads to better job performance and career progression.
Benefits to the organisation
When employees take ownership of their careers, organisations benefit in several ways:
- Increased engagement: Employees who actively manage their career development are more engaged and motivated. This leads to higher productivity and reduced turnover.
- Stronger talent pipeline: Proactive employees contribute to a stronger internal talent pipeline, reducing the need for external hiring and ensuring the organisation has skilled leaders for the future.
- Shared responsibility: When employees take initiative, HR teams can focus on strategic initiatives rather than micromanaging individual development plans.
- Ownership and responsibility: This is a great opportunity to test which employees take their careers seriously and can step up to manage their personal development plans.
- Performance appraisal credibility: Enhanced engagement by employees lends greater credibility to the appraisal process when combined with strong management support and follow-up action when an employee successfully performs their part.
Small businesses inevitably reach a stage where dedicated HR resources become essential. While hiring an HR generalist may seem like the next logical step, the associated costs and limitations can outweigh the benefits for smaller organisations. Outsourcing your HR function offers a flexible, cost-effective alternative that provides access to expert support, advanced technology and scalable solutions. At the same time, employees must take responsibility for their own career growth, leveraging opportunities provided by HR processes such as performance appraisals. By doing so, employees not only enhance their own prospects but also contribute to the long-term success of the organisation.
HRTorQue works with employers to implement effective performance appraisal processes. Give us a call today to find out more.