Developmental HR practices as tools to support wellbeing

Developmental HR practices have a shared purpose directed towards the ongoing development of employees and shaping their attitudes, behaviors, motivations, well-being and performance. This chapter serves as a guide to the research investigating the use of developmental HR practices as tools to support and enhance employee well-being. Of specific interest are the mechanisms involved in this relationship and an overview of empirical findings in this field of HRM. This chapter considers employee well-being as a desired employee outcome, identifies common approaches to well-being in HRM research, and presents theoretical arguments and evidence for why they may serve as tools to support employee well-being. Mechanisms involved in this relationship are explored from three perspectives: (a) skills development and career satisfaction, (b) employee HR perceptions and attributions, and (c) organizational support resources to achieve objectives. Potential moderators of the developmental HR practices – well-being relationship are also identified. The chapter concludes with discussion of directions for future research, theoretical development and management practice.