Human resource management bodies around the world aim to keep members informed,

interconnected and employed by offering member directories, publications, discussion

groups, awards, local chapters, vendor relations government lobbying and job boards giving
its members soundly based professional recognition framework. The human resource
management body in Zambia is the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management
(ZIHRM) it is a professional organisation established under Act No. 11 of 1997. The Council
is the policy making and governing body of the Institute. Day-to-day activities of ZIHRM are
carried out by a full-time Secretariat which is headed by a Registrar as Chief Executive
Officer. ZIHRM s Vision is to be an effective Institute dedicated to the promotion of good
practice, serving professional interests of members, enhancing productivity at enterprise and
national level and upholding high ideals in the field of Human Resource Management in
Zambia and its mission is to promote and develop the science and practice of Human
Resource Management in Zambia.
Zambia Institute of Personnel Management (ZIPM), the fore runner of the Zambia Institute
of Human Resource Management was established on 4th December 1967 under the
companies Ordinance as an independent non-political and non-profit distributing
organization. For thirty years, the former Zambia Institute of Personnel Management was not
established under an Act of Parliament and this affected the standards of the institute as a
professional body.
However, on 18th March 1997, the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management Bill
was presented to Parliament by the then Minister of Labour and Social Security and
subsequently assented by the Republican President as the Zambia Institute of Human
Resources Management.

On 26th September 1997, the Zambia Institute of Human Resources Management was
officially launched at Andrews Motel, Lusaka with Mr. Humphrey I. Mwanza as first
President of the ZIHRM from 1997-2000 [1st and 2nd Council]. The Government's issuance
of Statutory Instrument (SI) or Government Order No. 114 of 1997, by the Ministry of
Labour and Social Security on 3rd October 1997 effectively brought the operations of the
Institute into a professional body.

The Institute's aim is to promote the highest professional standards of Human Resources
Management and development practice in every sector of the economy both at organizational
and personnel level. It is the central national source for information on labour management
including education, training and continuous professional development for those members
who may not meet the set minimum qualifications provided in the Act.

The 3rd and 4th Council served from 2001 - 2005 with Mr. Masautso Nyanthando as 2nd
President of the Zambia Institute of Human Resource Management followed by the
immediate past council which held the 5th and 6th Council from 2006 - 2009. Below is the
composition list of the Immediate Past Council.
The mandate for the 6th Council ended on the 15th of May, 2009 when the current Council
was ushered into office through a process of free and fair elections that were held at an
Annual General Meeting held in Kitwe at the Edinburgh Hotel
The objectives of the Zambia Institute of Human Resources Management are as
follows:1.

To promote the profession of Human Resource Management and Development in

Zambia and gain international recognition.

2.

To carry out training of persons involved in human resource management.

3.

To enforce the ZIHRM Act and ensure that all individuals practicing human resource
management in all organizations in the country are licensed by the institute.

4.

To promote and uphold the highest standards of performance and conduct in the
practice of Human Resource Management as a means of increasing productivity and
efficiency.

5.

To facilitate Continuous Professional Development for members both locally and

internationally.

6.

To encourage, uphold and improve the standards of training and professional ability
of persons engaged in human resources management and industrial relations.

7.

To maintain close contact with technical colleges, universities, professional

institutions, government departments, commercial institutions and similar international
institutions so as to improve the quality of human resources management.

8.

Provide professional networking and interaction opportunities through participation in

conferences, seminars, workshops, symposia, annual general meetings, conventions and
other forums of professional interaction and information exchange.

9.

Up-to-date information on the development of Human Capital in the world through

research and development.

10.

Personal development opportunity through voluntary service to the Institute in

different capacities in the main council and sub committees.

11.

To contribute to national economic and social development through effective human

resource management.

The Institute has the following seven classes of membership:

1. Corporate/Institutional Membership
This includes Institutions That Are Offering Human Resource Management Courses
and Corporate Bodies with Human Resource Departments.
2. Student Member (STUZIHRM)
Students pursuing certificate/diploma/degree courses in HRM or equivalent discipline
at any credible college or university are eligible to become members of the institute.
3. Affiliate Member (AFZIHRM)
One must have a certificate/diploma/degree in any social science; inclusive of an
HRM course and/or must be a Human Resource practitioner for one (1) to (3) years.

An affiliate member will only qualify to upgrade to associate membership after three
(3) years.
4. Associate Member (ASZIHRM)
One must have a diploma/degree in any social science; inclusive of an HRM course
and must have served as affiliate member for three (3) years or have been a Human
Resource practitioner for over four (4) years.
5. Full Member (MZIHRM)
One must have a degree in Human Resource Management, Public Administration or
any other Social Science discipline and must have been an Associate Member for at
least three (3) years. He or she must be a human resource practitioner in any
organization or the Civil Service.
6. Fellow (FZIHRM)
This is available by upgrading only and upon approval of full Council sitting. One
must have been a full member for about three years (3) to four years (4) and must
have written some articles or carried out research on Human Resource Management
for a substantial period. He/she must be a first degree or masters degree holder. A
member must also be able to demonstrate ten (10) years or more Human Resource
Management experience at Senior Management level.
7. Honorary Fellow (HFZIHRM)
Honorary Fellowship may be conferred by the Council to a member or other person
having special qualifications, experience or for outstanding service as may from time
to time be laid down by the Council and approved by the Institutes General Meeting.
To be considered as an Honorary Fellow, a member (or other person) should have
made significant contribution to the growth, practice, training, research and
consultancy in the field of Human Resources Management in Zambia.
Membership Benefits

1. Professional Affiliation
2. You stand a better chance of getting employed because it is illegal for an employer to
engage an HR practitioner without ZIHRM Membership and a practicing certificate.
3. Easy access to the Zambian Labour Laws and amendments as the Institute enjoys
close relations with the Ministry of Labour and Social Security.
4. Personal development through Continuous Professional Development.
5. Interaction and networking opportunities.
ZIHRM has a Standard of Professional Conduct which any practitioner according to the
Zambia Institute of Human Resources Management Act No. 11 of 1997 should abide by.
A Human Resource Practitioner should abide by the following:
1. Uphold the good name of the institute and the Human Resources Management
profession.
2.

Respect the constitution and the laws of Zambia in their performance.

3. Promote and uphold employment practices that guard against any form of
discrimination based on gender, age, ethnic group, political affiliation, creed, religion
or disability.
4. Accept full responsibility of ones office and that of his or her subordinates and not
misuse the authority of ones office for any personal gain to the detriment of the
company or the Institute.
5. Comply with labour laws of Zambia relating to the Management of the organization
with which one is connected and do ones best to operate within the spirit of such
laws.
6. Serve the employer effectively, honestly with integrity and undertake to achieve and
maintain a high standard of professionalism in ones work.
7. Refrain from using ones membership to the Zambia Institute of Human Resources
Management to promote the products of ones personal company.

8. Demonstrate personal integrity, honesty, diligence and acceptable conduct, in

business, professional and personal dealings.
9. Serve and observe strict impartiality when giving independent advice and observe
confidentiality and respect and protect all privileged information.
10. Promote training and development of human resource practitioners upgrade ones
human resource management skills and encourage continuous professional
development among members and potential members in and outside your
organization.
11. Participate whenever possible, in the Institutes activities, promote and protect the
Institutes interests.
12. Adhere to this code of professional ethics and conduct and any other rules and
regulations made by the Institute from time to time.
So, order your conduct as to uphold and not injure the standing and reputation of the Zambia
Institute of Human Resources Management.
The enforcement of this Code shall be the responsibility of the Institutes Disciplinary
Committee and shall be made in accordance with the provision of part V of the Zambia
Institute of Human Resources Management Act, of 1997.
REFERENCES
1. www.zihrm.org.zm/
2. www.hr-guide.com/
3. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/hrminstitutes.org/