1.4 Managing People Flashcards
(131 cards)
Why is effective human resource management important to businesses?
Because it ensures that the organisation has the right people, in the right roles, with the right support, with opportunities to succeed.
This will lead to higher productivity, more profits and a positive work environment
What does human resource management focus on?
How employees can be:
- effectively recruited
- effectively used
- effectively developed and trained
- effectively motivated
- effectively managed and led
Why are staff an asset to a business?
Because they bring knowledge, skills, and expertise to the business.
Staff can increase productivity, drive innovation and enhance customer service - all of which contribute to the success and profitability of the business
Staff can help to build a positive reputation for the business through their interactions with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders
Why do staff generate costs to a business and what are the costs associated with?
Hiring and training workers
Managing workers as managers have to be hired
Paying the salaries of full time workers
Paying wages of hourly staff
Additional benefits, such as company cars, pensions, healthcare etc
Letting workers go (redundancy payments)
What is the impact of a national minimum wage on staffing costs?
Business that employ workers on a wage basis will face higher labour costs
Businesses that employ workers on a salary basis are less affected by the introduction of a minimum wage as they already pay a fixed amount regardless of the number of hours worked
What does it mean to have a flexible workforce?
Where workers are equipped to do different roles or where they work in a range of employment patterns (full-time, part-time, zero hour contracts, work from home, etc)
What are the ways of developing a flexible workforce?
Multi-skilling
Flexible hours and home working
Outsourcing
Part-time and temporary
What is multiskilling and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Multi-skilling is the process of training workers to fulfil multiple job roles within a business
Advantages:
Business utilise their workforce more efficiently which reduces labour costs and increase productivity
It can help to improve patient outcomes in healthcare industries as workers with a broader range of skills can provide more comprehensive care
Disadvantages:
May require significant investment in training and development
May not be appropriate for all job roles, especially those that require a high level of expertise
What is part-time and temporary working and what are the advantages and disadvantages ?
Someone who works part-time may only work two or three days a week
Someone who works temporarily shows up for work whenever the business needs them
E.g. amazon employs temporary workers to handle seasonal spikes in demand such as Christmas
Advantages:
Flexible working arrangements can help businesses to attract and retain talent, especially staff who value work-life balance
This may improve productivity, as staff can work during their most productive hours and avoid distractions
Disadvantages:
Flexible working arrangements can create challenges in terms of communication and collaboration (especially if staff are working remotely)
Monitoring and managing flexible workers can be more difficult
What is outsourcing and what are the advantages and disadvantages?
Outsourcing is where companies use external providers to carry out business processes, that would otherwise be handled internally
Apple outsources much of its manufacturing to Foxconn in china
This allows the company to produce products at a lower cost and maintain competitive pricing
Advantages:
This may allow businesses to access specialised skills that may not be available in-house
May reduce labour costs
Disadvantages:
This may lead to a loss of control over quality and delivery, especially if the outsourcing partner is based in another country
This may create ethical concerns, especially if the partner is based in a country with lower labour standards or human rights abuses
What do flexible working hours involve and what do they allow employees to do?
A flexible hours schedule usually involves working some set hours, with the remainder of hours organised according to the employees’ needs
E.g. an employee may be expected to be at work between then hours of 10am and 2pm, but can choose when they complete the rest of their working hours
Flexible hours allow employees to schedule working hours around their individual needs and accommodate their commitments outside of work
What has allowed more employees to work from home?
Advances in communication technology
What are the advantages and disadvantages for a business of home working?
Advantages:
Smaller or fewer premises may be required, reducing costs
High quality workers may be attracted from a wide geographical area
Workers may be more productive if they work in isolation, away from distractions
Disadvantages:
The cost of equipping workers with technology to work remotely may be significant
There may be less opportunity for collaboration between workers, reducing innovation
Careful monitoring will be required to ensure remote workers remain focused on tasks
What are the advantages and disadvantages for the employee of home working?
Advantages:
Commuting costs, such as train fares, are eliminated
Stress reduced as a result of not having to travel to work
Some flexibility may be possible, allowing workers to manage other commitments
Disadvantages:
Staff may feel isolated from colleagues
Household costs such as electricity and heating may increase
A healthy division between work and home life may be difficult to manage
What is dismissal (firing or sacking)?
The termination of employment by an employer against the will of the employee
Employees are usually terminated due to their misconduct (e.g. violating company policy) or poor performance
The employer may choose to dismiss them immediately (without notice or compensation) or provide a notice period which they can work out
What is being made redundant?
When the job is no longer available and the business reduces the size of its workforce
The termination is not due to any fault of the employee
The employer must follow certain legal procedures, including providing notice and paying redundancy compensation
What is the individual approach to employer/employee relationships?
Focuses on the relationship between an employee and their employer
Assumes that each employee is unique and has their own
goals, motivations, and interests
It emphasises the need for tailored compensation packages that cater to each employee’s unique skills and needs
The employment relationship is a voluntary agreement between two parties in which both negotiate their respective roles, responsibilities and benefits
The employer has the power to hire, fire, and set the terms and conditions of employment
What is the collective bargaining approach to employer/employee relationships?
A process whereby a group of employees (represented by a trade union) negotiate with their employer for better wages, working conditions and benefits
Employees have more bargaining power when they negotiate collectively rather than as individuals
The employment relationship is seen as a power struggle between two parties with conflicting interests
- The employer wants to maximise profits by keeping labour costs low
- The employees want to maximise their wages and benefits
- The union acts as the collective voice of the employees and bargains with the employer on behalf of all workers
What is recruitment?
The process of attracting and identifying potential job candidates who are suitable for a particular role
What are the different types of recruitment activities?
Job advertising
Job fairs
Social media outreach
Referrals
What is the goal of recruitment?
To create a pool of qualified candidates who can be considered for the role
What is selection in the recruitment process?
The process of choosing the best candidate
What do selection activities include in the recruitment process?
Reviewing CVs
Conducting interviews
Assessment tasks