Human Resources Management at the Library of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Abstract

This study aims to understand human resource management in the Library of the House of Representatives of the Republic of Indonesia (DPR RI) during the COVID-19 pandemic. This institution had to change its work procedures, including its management of human resources. The research uses a qualitative approach with a case study method. Data was collected through interviews, observations, and document analysis, carried out from October to December 2020. The findings show that working from home practices had the following impacts: reduced ability to concentrate while working; many forced changes to the work programme; and problems of miscommunication due to work instructions being conveyed through a WhatsApp group. In response to the situation, the planning function of management was used to suspend the recruitment of interns; the organizing function was divided up tasks into two or three working days a week; the actuating function was seen in the willingness of leadership to motivate staff and to optimize resources by providing training; and the controlling function was realized in an online presence and online reporting mechanisms. It was concluded that the implementation of human resource management in the library was achieved through flexibility and staff empowerment. This involved carrying out initiatives and controlling their effectiveness in response to whatever changes were required by the latest pronouncements from government. Obstacles were still encountered in the implementation of these changes, especially in relation to the organizing function of management, where some conflict was seen between the DPR RI librarians.