This report describes the importance of health organizations meeting employees’ expectations and the impact this can have on individual performance. It shows that good people management and development influences performance through a process involving individuals, which is more effective if aligned with organisational goals. A key message is that for success it must come from the top.

The report was sponsored by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, Healthcare People Management Association and the Department of Health.

Although it is recognized that managers are key in implementing human resource management, the survey revealed that managers often had little involvement with the development of HR policies and struggled to balance their work.

The survey also found that many individuals were unable to describe a link between their own individual performance and that of the organisation. Some did describe performance for individuals, the organisation and the NHS as a whole in terms of patient care and the effective use of resources.

The report concluded that if human resource management is to influence performance there must be an alignment between all elements of strategy with the overall vision and direction of the organization, including patient care and with the role of individuals. This must be explicit, led from the top and consistent.

The report is available at: http://www.cipd.co.uk/subjects/maneco/pubserv/_imphlthsum.htm