Human Resource

Question 1

What is recruitment?

Answer 1

Recruitment is the process of finding people to work for a company

Question 2

What is selection?

Answer 2

Selection refers to the methods used to choose the best or most suitable candidate for the vacancy

Question 3

What are the stages of recruitment?

Answer 3

1) Identify a job vacancy
2) Carry out a job analysis
3) Prepare a job description
4) Prepare a person specification
5) Advertise the job
6) Distribute application forms

Question 4

Describe the identify a job vacancy stage

Answer 4

Vacancies can become available in a business when someone leaves, when someone moves job leaving their own role unfilled. These vacancies are for existing roles and are therefore easily identified.

Question 5

When identifying a job vacancy what significant factor may make it more difficult

Answer 5

If the business growing it is likely that completely new jobs will have to be carried out which makes it less clear what the vacancies are.

Question 6

What is a job analysis?

Answer 6

This is looking at the role of a job within an organisation, and the responsibilities and skills that will be required of an applicant.

Question 7

Why is a job analysis important in the recruitment process?

Answer 7

A job analysis is important as it can be used to identify whether a vacancy needs to be filled or whether the tasks and duties can be redistributed to other staff.

Question 8

What is a job description?

Answer 8

A job description is a document that states the tasks and responsibilities of the job.

Question 9

What information is contained in a job description

Answer 9

A job description contains information on tasks and duties
pay
working hours
contract type
holiday entitlement
company benefits.

Question 10

What is a person specification

Answer 10

A person specification is a document which gives information about the personal criteria required for a job such as skills qualities qualifications experience.

Question 11

Describe the criteria in a person specification

Answer 11

criteria can be classified as essential (an applicant has to have them) or desirable (an applicant doesn’t have to have them, but would be at an advantage if they did).

Question 12

Describe the advertising the job stage

Answer 12

An organisation will need to make applicants aware of a job either internally, within the organisation, or externally, outwith the organisation.

Question 13

What are the advantages of Internal recruitment?

Answer 13

less expensive than external recruitment

employees can be more motivated if they have a chance to be promoted

applicant will already be known in terms of the skills and qualities that they possess

there is no need to follow as many processes when appointing someone, e.g. induction training.

Question 14

What are the disadvantages of internal recruitment?

Answer 14

a lack of new ideas or new systems knowledge being brought in, e.g. efficiency improvements

there may not be anyone who is right for the job

there will still be a job vacancy to fill.

Question 15

What are the advantages of external recruitment?

Answer 15

new employees can bring in new ideas or new systems knowledge

more applicants to choose from;

there is no follow-on job vacancy to fill as the person is coming from outwith the business.

Question 16

What are the disadvantages of external recruitment?

Answer 16

can be expensive to advertise on job websites

internal applicants may feel undervalued if they do not get the job

the person is not known to the organisation and may not be the correct person for the job

can be a more time-consuming process as there may be a more thorough process to go through.

Question 17

Describe the sending out applications stage

Answer 17

An organisation will send out application forms to all applicants who wish to apply for a job, although many organisations will increasingly ask applicants to apply online.

Question 18

Describe the selection process (stages)

Answer 18

Every organisation will have a different selection process which may involve one or more of the following:

reading application forms, CVs and references

shortlisting candidates

interviewing candidates

testing candidates

choosing the successful candidate(s)

notifying unsuccessful candidates.

Question 19

What is an application form?

Answer 19

An application form is created by an organisation and will require an applicant to answer the questions asked by the organisation. (These are read in the selection process)

Question 20

What is a CV?

Answer 20

A CV is created by an applicant themself and will list information about them, such as their education, work history, and hobbies and interests. (These are read in the selection process)

Question 21

What is a reference?

Answer 21

A reference is written by a previous employer or teacher and will describe an applicant’s attendance, punctuality and suitability for a job. (These are read in the selection process)

Question 22

Describe the shortlisting candidates stage

Answer 22

After reading through all of the application forms, CVs and references, an organisation will make a list of which applicants to include in the next stage of the selection process.

Question 23

What is an interview? (in the selection process)

Answer 23

An interview is a meeting between a candidate and an organisation.

Organisation may use online platforms such as Teams, Zoom or Skype to carry out interviews.

Question 24

What are the advantages of interviewing candidates?

Answer 24

see how a candidate copes under pressure

ask a candidate questions regarding items on their application form or CV

put a face to the name, and see the body language and the personality of a candidate

candidate has an opportunity to ask any questions about a job or organisation.

Question 25

What are the disadvantages of interviewing candidates?

Answer 25

can be a time-consuming process for an organisation some candidates can be nervous in an interview and not perform as well as they could candidates might say the correct things in an interview but not be the correct person for the job.

Question 26

What is the testing candidates stage of selection?

Answer 26

Testing involves assessing the skills and abilities of a candidate.

Question 27

What can be tested during the testing candidates stage?

Answer 27

attainment numeracy problem-solving intelligence fitness, e.g. to join the police you must pass a fitness test medical, e.g. to become a pilot you are required to pass a medical test which is carried out by a doctor or a nurse.

Question 28

Describe the details of the choosing the successful candidate stage

Answer 28

An organisation will choose the most suitable candidate(s) and will organise a start date and training dates. A new employee will receive a contract of employment within 12 weeks of starting the new job which they will have to sign to say that they agree to the terms and conditions of the job.

Question 29

What is training?

Answer 29

Training is teaching employees new skills or updating their existing skills.

Question 30

What are the advantages of training?

Answer 30

employees will be more skilled at their jobs and will provide a higher-quality product or a higher-quality service to customers fewer errors will be made, resulting in less wastage fewer complaints and returns will be made; a business can gain a good reputation and attract high quality staff employees will feel more valued if a business is seen to be investing into them.

Question 31

What are the disadvantages of training?

Answer 31

employees may have to spend time away from their workplace can be a time-consuming process can be expensive for an organisation if it has to pay for the training employees may receive training and then leave for another organisation.

Question 32

What is induction training?

Answer 32

Induction training is given to new staff when they start at an organisation

Question 33

What may be included in induction training?

Answer 33

company policies and procedures health and safety, e.g. what to do if there is a fire drill a tour of the business an introduction to key people and teams an introduction to their tasks and duties.

Question 34

What is on the job training?

Answer 34

On-the-job training is training which takes place within a workplace. This usually involves a less experienced employee working alongside an experienced employee.

Question 35

What are the advantages of on the job training?

Answer 35

employees are in the workplace and can continue with their work cheaper than off-the-job training as no courses have to be paid for less time-consuming than off-the-job training.

Question 36

What are the disadvantages of on the job training?

Answer 36

employees that provide training may not be qualified instructors employees that provide training may have picked up bad habits which will be passed on training may be interrupted due to it taking place in the workplace.

Question 37

What is off the job training?

Answer 37

Off-the-job training is training which takes place outwith an organisation, e.g. at a training centre or college.

Question 38

What are the advantages of off the job training?

Answer 38

training is given by qualified instructors employees can receive recognised qualifications fewer interruptions compared to on-the-job training.

Question 39

What are the disadvantages of off the job training?

Answer 39

employees are away from the workplace which will result in lower production more expensive than on-the-job training as courses have to be paid for, which can be expensive can be time-consuming as some courses may last longer than a year.

Question 40

What are financial incentives?

Answer 40

Payment systems which a business may use to pay staff

Question 41

What is a salary?

Answer 41

A salary is when an employee's annual wage is divided up into twelve equal payments which are made every month. Teachers are usually paid this way

Question 42

Name a disadvantage and advantage of a salary

Answer 42

Allows employees to have a guaranteed monthly income. Does not encourage employees to work harder or work longer hours.

Question 43

What is time rate?

Answer 43

Time rate is when employees are paid per hour they work. Retail staff are usually paid in this way.

Question 44

Name an advantage and disadvantage of time rate

Answer 44

This encourages employees to work longer hours, but does not reward them for hard work.

Question 45

What is piece rate?

Answer 45

Piece rate is when employees are paid per item produced. Employees may be paid a basic salary as well. This payment system is usually used in factories. This can motivate employees to produce more items, but does not always mean that they will produce items to a high standard.

Question 46

What is overtime?

Answer 46

Overtime is when employees work more than their contracted hours. Employees may be paid double time or time and a half for example. Overtime rates can be used when employees are working bank holidays or an organisation needs to finish an order for a customer on time.

Question 47

What is a bonus?

Answer 47

Employees are given an extra payment, or bonus, for reaching sales or production targets. Some organisations may give employees an extra payment at Christmas as a reward. Employees are paid their bonus on top of their existing wage.

Question 48

What is commission?

Answer 48

Employees are paid a percentage of a product's sale value, otherwise known as commission This is paid on top of a basic salary. This payment system is usually used in car showrooms and call centres.

Question 49

Name at least 5 Non financial incentives which can be used by an organisation.

Answer 49

- Offering flexible working practices -Allowing staff to work in teams to complete tasks. - Providing staff with good pay and conditions. - Organising regular meetings with staff. - Organising a works councils, which is made up of equal numbers of employees and management and allows employees to discuss work-related concerns. - Providing training opportunities. - Identifying staff who are ready for promotion. - Offering reward schemes, e.g. employee of the month. - Providing fringe benefits, e.g. company car, private health insurance, gym memberships.

Question 50

Name 3 types of flexible working practices

Answer 50

homeworking teleworking flexi-time condensed hours job share

Question 51

Define Homeworking

Answer 51

homeworking - employees work from home all the time or part of the time.

Question 52

Define teleworking

Answer 52

teleworking - employees work away from the workplace and use ICT to communicate, e.g. a sales rep.

Question 53

Define flexi-time

Answer 53

flexi-time - employees can choose their start and finishing times as long as they work their contracted hours and an organisation's 'core time', which is the time at which all employees must be in the workplace, e.g. between 10 am and 2 pm.

Question 54

Define condensed hours

Answer 54

condensed hours - employees work their contracted hours but can so over 3 or 4 days instead of 5 days.

Question 55

Define Job share

Answer 55

job share - two (or more) people sharing one full-time job, e.g. one employee works mornings and another employee works afternoons.

Question 56

What reasons may cause employees to undergo industrial action?

Answer 56

pay and conditions; working conditions, e.g. workload; pension terms and conditions.

Question 57

Name at least 3 types of industrial action

Answer 57

Strike Go-slow Sit in Work to rule Overtime ban boycott

Question 58

What is a strike

Answer 58

strike - employees temporarily stop working altogether;

Question 59

What is Go-slow

Answer 59

go-slow - employees complete tasks as slowly as possible

Question 60

What is Sit in

Answer 60

sit-in - employees go into the workplace but refuse to do any work;

Question 61

What is work to rule

Answer 61

work to rule - employees only carry out the duties which are included in their contract of employment;

Question 62

What is an overtime ban

Answer 62

overtime ban - employees refuse to work any more than their contracted hours;

Question 63

What is a boycott

Answer 63

boycott - employees refuse to carry out new duties or use new pieces of equipment.

Question 64

What are the consequences of industrial action

Answer 64

production may stop; customer orders are delayed; an increase in complaints from customers; customers will go to competitors instead; bad publicity; may not attract many applicants when looking for future employees.

Question 65

What does the equality act 2010 do?

Answer 65

The Equality Act 2010 ensures that employees and customers are not discriminated against in the workplace. ensures that all employees doing the same job with the same responsibilities receive the same pay, benefits and training opportunities no matter what characteristics they possess.

Question 66

What characteristics are protected by the equality act 2010?

Answer 66

age; disability; gender; gender reassignment; marriage and civil partnership; pregnancy/maternity; race; religion; sexual orientation.

Question 67

What does the Health and Safety at Work Act 1974 do?

Answer 67

ensures that employers and employees have responsibilities for health and safety in the workplace. This covers all aspects of health and safety within the workplace.

Question 68

What are the responsibilities of the employer under the health and safety at work act 1974

Answer 68

Provide health and safety training to all employees - this can be done through induction training. Provide protective clothing to employees if required, e.g. hi-viz vests and safety goggles. Provide toilets and clean drinking water.

Question 69

What are the responsibilities of the employee under the health and safety at work act 1974

Answer 69

Ensure all accidents are reported and written into up with an accident report form. Ensure that they adhere to all health and safety training. Look after their own and others' health and safety in the workplace, e.g. reporting any spillages or hazards.

Question 70

What is the national minimum wage act 1998

Answer 70

The National Minimum Wage Act 1998 sets the minimum hourly rate at which employees must be paid. This depends on the age of employees and usually changes every April.

Question 71

What is the minimum wage?

Answer 71

23+ £9.50 21-22 £9.18 18-20 £6.83 Under 18 £4.81 (April 2022)

Question 72

What is a human resource department?

Answer 72

A human resources department is responsible for all staffing matters and will use a variety of different technology.

Question 73

What technology may be used by the HR department?

Answer 73

databases spreadsheets presentation software word processing e-mail videoconferencing websites