The crucial role played by front-line managers in determining the way people are managed and developed in organisations runs the risk of being neglected in favour of HR policies determined at the centre but not communicated effectively "down the line", according to John Purcell, Professor of Human Resource Management in the School of Management at the University of Bath.

Professor Purcell and his team have conducted long-running research on behalf of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development into the strong links between people management practices and organisational performance. Speaking at the CIPD's Annual Conference in Harrogate, he will highlight the danger of a gap developing between intended policies and the practices experienced by employees.

Professor Purcell said:

"Front-line managers have a multitude of roles to fulfil. People management and development duties are crucial to maintaining motivation and securing the willing contribution of employees, but they are often just tacked on to other duties and responsibilities.

"If organisations wish to avoid role overload, HR professionals need to ensure front-line managers are managed and supported in their own right, and are recognised as key employees. A fixation with centrally developed policies, combined with a neglect of the 'forgotten managers' on the front line will not deliver effective people management and improved performance".

Professor Purcell will be joined in the seminar by:

• Mike Watts, Director of HR Transformation in the Cabinet Office
  
  
• Nick Lambourne, Human Resources Manager, Honda (UK)
  
  

The two case study organisations will explain how they have engaged line managers and how this has improved their people management practices.

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