Chapter 2: Strategy and Human Resources Planning

Exercise 2-1

You are the HR Manager for a large pharmaceutical company located in Toronto. You just read an article (Toronto Needs More Skilled People) at this web site.

1. Based on this article, what are the main labour supply and demand issues that will be facing your organization over the next 10-15 years?
2. What HRP initiatives would you recommend for your organization based on this article?

Exercise 2-2

One of the options facing companies with a surplus of labour is downsizing. Has this strategy worked? Are there alternatives to downsizing? Read this article by Rick Mercer, Alternatives to Downsizing at http://www.beyondresistance.com/htm/2article/downsize.html .

1. According to this article does downsizing work? According to research, what has been the impact of downsizing activities?
2. From the list of 13 alternatives to downsizing pick two that you think would work the best for your current (or last) employer. Briefly describe your employer and why you think this strategy would work in your organization.