ABSTRACT
In a period of economic down turn, construction companies must find a way to sustain its human resources as well as remain in business. The research evaluated the Human Resources Management practices of building construction firms in Abia state with a view to highlight the performance of the building construction firms in the State. The objectives of the research was geared at the implementation of the standard HRM practices, Departmental functions of HRM and the predominant factors determining HRM practices. The research method sampled a size of forty three (43) construction companies, registered with Federal Inland Revenue (FIRS) and the state board of internal revenue (BIR). Analysis was done using mean score and percentage. The result obtained identified that recruitment and selection practices had an average mean score (MS) of 2.15. The Involvement of the employees in the building firms had MS of 2.18. The Training, Development and Education had an average MS of 1.91. The Work Conditions had an average mean score (MS) of 1.89. The Competency-Based Performance Appraisal had MS of 1.96. The Compensation and Rewards had an average MS of 2.0.The research concludes that practice of HRM in construction firms in Abia state is below the standard HRM practices identified.The research therefore recommends a full implementation of the standard HRM practices identified in the research, and the involvement of other relevant body or stakeholders in monitoring of the HRM implementation process, the HRM department should be given adequate resources and authority to carry out a fair recruitment and selection process, which is devoid of personal interest, the need to reinforce the firm?s savings and the diversification or reinvestment of the firm?s profit, so as to create a stable financial base in the case of economic fluctuations.