Alyanna Angelina M.

Cabral DS 128
2012-65902 Prof. Legaspi
Consider our discussions about the challenges faced by HRD nowadays such as adapting to changes in
technologies and business processes. Answer the following questions:
1. React to this statement "Learning about information technology should be reserved for computer
specialists."
Information Technology (IT) is the application of computers and
telecommunications equipment to store, retrieve, transmit and manipulate data. In
businesses, the use of IT makes the recording of transactions easier. Meanwhile, in HR,
IT helps businesses in recording information about their employees and in monitoring
their employees’ attendance, performance, etc.
Indeed, IT is important for businesses to make their processes efficient and
organized. That is why learning about IT should be extended to non-computer
specialists. However, when I say “learn about IT”, I am only referring to the basic
knowledge on how to operate computer systems. The more intricate know-hows of IT
should be reserved for computer specialists. This is because if everybody in a company is
knowledgeable about IT, then data about the company and its employees may be prone
to leakage or hacking.
2. Why do you think some HR managers are reluctant to use information technology such as
internet and HR systems?
I think some HR managers are reluctant to use information technology such as
internet and HR systems because with internet, employees may use social networking
sites, such as Facebook and Twitter, while at work and this may lead to inefficiency. Also,
using the internet and HR systems to store data about the employees can be prone to
leakage or hacking. Aside from that, technical glitches in the HR system can lead to
inconvenience and inefficiency. For example, a glitch in a program containing information
about employees’ salaries may occur. To this, employees may have violent reactions and
can cause problems for the company.
3. Consider the use of internet and social media, do you think that today's employees are overly
sensitive about the privacy of their personal information? Why or why not? What are the
advantages and disadvantages of using internet and social media to employees and HR
managers/specialists?
From what I observe, today’s employees are overly sensitive about the privacy of
their personal information. This is because the use of internet and social media comes
with the prevalence of cybercrimes such as scamming through private messages, identity
theft, etc.; and these cybercrimes can put the security not only of the employees, but
also of the company, into danger since those people committing cybercrimes can gain
access to the company through the personal information of employees.
Using internet and social media has its advantages to employees and HR
managers/specialists. One, with social media, employees can easily be connected with
one another whenever, wherever. Thus, it can improve employee relations and promote
unity within the organization. Also, social networking sites such as Facebook can make
recruitment easier for HR managers since contact information about potential employees
are readily available. Second, because the internet instantly provides people with almost
all information about the world, employees can learn or develop various skills even
without formal training. Also, internet and social media keeps HR managers on the loop.
This can help HR managers in staffing since they are updated about what can attract
potential employees and they can easily be aware of the supply of people in the labor
market.
 However, internet and social media has also its disadvantages. One, with
internet and social media, employees can be made to work even at home. Thus, their
working hours are practically extended. Another disadvantage is that customers can
easily vent out their complaints about the product of a company/business. This is what
some customers do instead of directly sending the complaint to the company. Social
media, therefore, poses more challenges for the HR manager.