Human Resource Processes in the Home Improvement Industry

Human Resources Processes in the Home Improvement Industry

Lowe’s and Home Depot have been competing for the top spot in the Home Improvement Industry for years. Both companies are looking to recruit, train, and develop qualified employees, while maintaining competitive wages and benefits. Home Depot and Lowe’s have both had their fair share of issues when it comes to safety and health and employee labor relations; however, both companies have been working toward the goal of having a positive and successful work environment for their employees.

Lowe’s recruits over 60,000 employees in a single year. The recruitment of qualified employees is a very important process for the Human Resources department at Lowe’s. This process begins when the Human Resources department looks internally and externally for applicants. In the past, Lowe’s has teamed up with colleges around the United States to try and find possible applicants. For example, in 2004, Lowe’s paired up with the Community College of Allegheny County to find and hire qualified candidates (“Lowe’s home improvement,” 2004). After employed, new employees take a survey within the first 30, 90, 180, and then lastly, at the 365 day mark. Finally, after three face-to-face interviews with H.R. and two managers, Lowe’s administers a drug test and background check for all applicants who will be hired.

Although Lowe’s has recently laid off 1,700 full time middle managers nationwide, it will continue to hire 10,000 part-time weekend workers. (Young, 2011). To make sure its recruiting processes are working Lowe’s uses tools like QTrac, which measures the effectiveness of its recruiting and retention. QTrac gives Lowe’s the information it needs to improve its recruiting, and even training, processes if needed (Hansen, 2007). Next, we will look at the hiring processes for Home Depot.

In 2007, Tim Crow became the new Human Resources Chief for Home Depot. He had a big issue to deal with- recruiting 15,000 employees...