Staffing

Filling posts with the right people: the staffing process, internal and external recruitment, the steps and tests of selection, and methods of training.

Key ideas

Staffing is filling, and keeping filled, the positions in the organisation with the right people.
Its process: estimate manpower needs, recruit, select, place and orient, train and develop, appraise performance, promote and plan careers, and pay.
Recruitment is a positive process (attracting many applicants); selection is a negative one (rejecting most to choose the best).
Internal sources (transfers, promotions) are cheaper and motivating but bring no fresh talent; external sources give wider choice and new talent at more cost and time.
Selection runs: preliminary screening, tests, interview, reference checks, selection decision, medical examination, job offer, contract of employment.
Training improves skill for the present job; development is the overall growth of a person for future roles.
On-the-job methods: apprenticeship, coaching, internship, job rotation; off-the-job: lectures, films, case studies, computer modelling, vestibule training, programmed instruction.

Remember

Workers needed	output needed ÷ output per worker
Workers to recruit	workers needed − workers already employed
Applications per post	applications ÷ posts
Selection tests	intelligence (mental ability), aptitude (potential to learn), personality, trade (present skill), interest
External sources	direct recruitment, casual callers, advertisement, employment exchange, placement agencies, campus recruitment, employees’ recommendations, labour contractors, web publishing
Vestibule training	on equipment like the real one, in a separate room, so production is not disturbed

Watch out

Swapping recruitment (attracting applicants) and selection (choosing among them).
Calling a trade test an aptitude test: a trade test checks a skill the person already has.
Listing vestibule training as on-the-job: it happens away from the actual workplace.

Worked example

Put these steps of the selection process in order: (a) selection tests (b) medical examination (c) selection decision

Working: selection tests → selection decision → medical examination

Answer: a, c, b