P/HR/21. To what extent is the 'soft' HRM model achievable and desirable for organisations in the modern business environment?

There are many dilemmas associated with the ideas of hard and soft HRM. We must realise that we cannot expand the knowledge and skills of all members of society infinitely. There will always be a place for the unskilled worker and as such there must be a place for hard HRM. However, in todays changing environment soft measures must come to the fore. The notion of ?the velvet glove concealing the iron fist of hard HRM (Beardwell & Holden 2001:93) shows that even soft measures are still measures of control. No matter how soft companies HRM policies appear to be, they will still be designed for the benefit of the organisation rather than of the individual. The bottom line must always come first.