Effects Of Corona Virus Pandemic (Covid-19) On Selected Human Resource Management Practices In Tanzania

The global economy has been severally affected by Corona virus (COVID-19) pandemic. Workplace has not been the same because of its connection with the domestic and global economy. Change of lifestyles of customers and employees to cope with the new normal life has caused a crisis that organisations are trying to manage. The effect of the disease on human resource management which is one of core management functions in the corporate world has not been empirically identified. This motivated the researcher to conduct this study. Specifically, the study assessed the effects of COVID-19 on employee recruitment and selection, employee training, performance management and compensation management. Survey design was employed in this study. The study used a sample of 250 human resources practitioners from which data were collected by the use of telephone interviews and an online survey. Data were collected from 6th April, 2020 to 10th May, 2020. Data was analysed using content and descriptive analysis. The study found out that number of employee recruitment and selection activities drastically decreased as a result of COVID-19. Employee training programmes that were scheduled prior to the outbreak had been cancelled to protect employees from contacting the disease. Online training which would be the best alternative could not be used by all organisations because of lack of facilities. Respondents doubted whether e-learning would be as effective as face-to-face mode of training. Performance management became more challenging. The study found that employees could not achieve previous set goals because of disruptions caused by the disease. For organisations that opted for working from home were experiencing difficulties in monitoring employee performance and the practice raised a concern of work-life balance issues. COVID-19 has made organisations to fail meeting some of their financial obligations including payment of employees' benefits. The study recommended adoption of e-HRM to minimize employee physical interactions, employee engagement in crisis management strategies and review of HR policies to suit times of crisis.