There are many factors that were considered in electing the company with the best human resource practice. The human factor was a key factor in the whole process and companies that had a motivating human resource practice were nominated. Ultimate Software being one of those companies with a desirable human resource management system was elected among the best companies and to elaborate the details, its various practices are analyzed.
The medical cover is unique in that it even covers same sex partners and to add to that, the cover is attractive as the employees and their spouses are fully covered and no extra costs are to be incurred in case of any sickness. Unlike Ultimate Software Company, most medical covers do not include dental care. This is a rare cover to come across and it must have immensely contributed to the popularity of the company.
Another unique benefit is on the educational aspect of the employees of the company. The human resource manager has structured the system in such a way that it encourages the employees of the company to go for further studies and certification. The system allows reimbursement of money spent on obtaining certification and educational skills of their employees. This does not happen in every other company; it is a unique case and must have earned the company some extra votes.
The annual salary of Ultimate Software Company is also attractive. It is above the market rates as compared to those offered by its competitors. It is good to pay commensurate salaries to employees for services offered. This is happening in Ultimate Software Company as the salary plus the other benefits is enough to cover for the services offered by its employees. This is another reason the company was voted among the best companies.
Leaves for employees are an important aspect as far as human resource management is concerned. They allow the employees of an organization to attend to personal issues as well as unwind and kill boredom. Most companies do not offer leaves to their employees on a regular basis and when necessary and thus this is a cutting edge compared to their competitors (Wright, 2002).
However, Ultimate Software Company knows the importance of leave to its employees as it offers regular leaves. It also gives them offs when there is a need and an event they want to attend. Some of the other companies that offer leaves to their employees do not pay them during the days they are off work. However, this is not the case at Ultimate Software as the company still gives the employees their salaries on the days they are on leave. It also gives them leave allowances unlike other companies.
Disabled employees are rare to come across in most companies. Most human resource managers consider them unproductive and slow. Thus, they do not let them go through the selection stage of employment no matter how good they are in their areas of expertise. Those who become disabled while working in such companies are usually retrenched with little or no pay. This is not the case at Ultimate Software Company as the company does not discriminate employees on the basis of their disability (Ulrich, 2006).
Disabled individuals are given an equal opportunity during interviews and selected on merit just like the other employees. They are never considered a burden and the company does not only give them equal chances during selection, but also give them additional benefits during employment. For instance, they are allowed long term disability holidays with pay. None of the employees of the company who becomes disabled in the course of duty is sacked as the human resource plan does not allow.
Maternity and paternity leaves are a rare thing to come across in most organizations and those that allow their employees such leaves do not pay them for those days. Paternity leaves are also not taken into consideration as the men do not carry the pregnancy.
The Ultimate Software Company has not only allowed its employees’ maternity leaves, but also paternity leaves. Adoption leaves are also given to individuals who adopt children (Armstrong, 2011). Very few companies offer such leaves to their employees and this is another reason as to why Ultimate Software Company managed to beat most of its competitors.
Wellness of employees is a major factor that should be considered by the human resource department of every serious organization. The health of employees should come first as it is likely to make the employees more productive and ready to work even more. Very few companies put health and wellness of its employees first.
In fact, most companies only look at the productivity aspect and forget about the wellness of employees. However, Ultimate Software Company does not overlook the wellness of its employees as it offers them online wellness services that ensure they are in good condition at all times. The health aspect is also covered under the medical and dental cover analyzed earlier.
In Conclusion, Ultimate Software Company is unique in terms of human resource management since the benefits offered to its employees are not found in most of its competitors. Thus, this explains why Ultimate Software Company was able to beat its competitors.
References
Armstrong, M. (2011). A Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice. Independence, MI: Kogan Publishing.
Ulrich, D. (2006). Human Resource Champions, The next agenda for adding value and delivering results. Boston: Harvard Business School Press.
Wright, P. (2002). The Chief HR Officer: Defining the New Role of Human Resource Leaders. San Francisco, SF: Jossey-Bass.