There’s an interesting discussion going on at YourHRGuy.com about the relevance and value of Human Resources. The proposition is that HR is fatally flawed because most of its value could be outsourced, the department often has unclear goals and return on investment, and it frequently has no input on business direction.

These points seem to resonate with the people who have left comments, but I believe they are less accurate for Baldrige organizations, and here’s why:

• Valuing workforce members is a Baldrige core value. As the Criteria booklet states, “Valuing the people in your workforce means committing to their engagement, satisfaction, development, and well-being.” Baldrige Award recipients demonstrate how this can be done to the benefit of the organization through the valuable contributions of their HR leaders and departments. One commenter at YourHRGuy.com wrote, “Companies have historically undervalued HR because (and this is the horrible, hateful truth) they don’t value their people.” I think that’s true, which is why the Baldrige model should be a beacon for HR people.

• The Baldrige Criteria’s Organizational Profile asks what key factors motivate employees to engage in accomplishing your mission. You cannot answer that question well if you don’t value your people.

• Item 1.1 asks how senior leaders communicate with and engage the entire workforce. The responses to the questions will show the degree to which senior leadership values employees.

• Item 2.2 asks how human resource plans support short- and longer-term strategic objectives and action plans. Calling out HR is a clear indication of the critical role it plays in contributing to the organization’s goals and plans.

• Category 5, which focuses solely on Human Resources, asks about workforce enrichment, development, engagement, capability and capacity, and climate—all essential areas to address for organizations that value their employees.

• Item 7.4 requests workforce-focused outcomes for the areas addressed in Category 5. It is one of six Items in Category 7 and the only Item targeting a specific function.

If every organization was a Baldrige organization, the discussion at YourHRGuy.com would never occur. Sure, there would be debate about the best way to deliver HR services, but the value of Human Resources would not be an issue.

An organization that truly values its employees must have people and processes in place to keep them engaged, satisfied, and loyal.

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