Human resource management

Question 1

Human resource management

Answer 1

The strategic approach to the effective management of employees so that they help the business gain a competitive advantage.

Question 2

Workforce planning

Answer 2

Forecasting the numbers of workers and the skills that will be required by the organisation to achieve its objectives.

Question 3

Workforce audit

Answer 3

A check on the skills and qualifications of all existing workers/managers.

Question 4

Labour turnover

Answer 4

Measures the rate at which employees are leaving an organisation.

Question 5

Recruitment

Answer 5

The process of identifying the need for a new employee, defining the job to be filled and the type of person needed to fill it, and attracting suitable candidates for the job.

Question 6

Selection

Answer 6

The series of steps by which candidates are interviewed, tested and screened to choose the most suitable person for a vacant post.

Question 7

Recruitment agency

Answer 7

A business that offers the service of recruiting applicants for vacant posts.

Question 8

Job description

Answer 8

A detailed list of the key points about the job to be filled, stating all its key tasks and responsibilities.

Question 9

Person specification

Answer 9

A detailed list of the qualities, skills and qualifications that a successful applicant will need to have.

Question 10

Applicant form

Answer 10

A set of questions answered by a job applicant to give a potential employer information about the applicant, such as educational background and work experience.

Question 11

Curriculum vitae (CV)

Answer 11

A detailed document highlighting all of a person’s professional and academic achievements, work experience and awards.

Question 12

Resume

Answer 12

A less detailed document than a CV, which itemises work experience, educational background and special skills relevant to the job being applied for.

Question 13

Reference

Answer 13

Comment from a trusted person about an applicant’s character or previous work performance.

Question 14

Assessment centre

Answer 14

A place where a range of tests is used to judge job applicants on their potential ability to perform a particular.

Question 15

Internal recruitment

Answer 15

When a business aims to fill a vacancy from within its existing workforce.

Question 16

External recruitment

Answer 16

When a business aims to fill a vacancy with a suitable applicant from outside of the business, such as an employee of another organisation.

Question 17

Employment contract

Answer 17

A legal document that sets out the terms and conditions governing a worker’s job.

Question 18

Redundancy

Answer 18

When a job is no longer required, the employee doing this job becomes unnecessary through no fault of their own.

Question 19

Dismissal

Answer 19

Being fired from a job due to incompetence or breach of discipline.

Question 20

Unfair dismissal

Answer 20

Ending a worker’s employment contract for a reason that the law regards as being unfair.

Question 21

Employee morale

Answer 21

Overall outlook, attitude and level of satisfaction of employees when at work.

Question 22

Employee welfare

Answer 22

Employees’ health, safety and level of morale when at work.

Question 23

Work-life balance

Answer 23

A situation in which employees are able to allocate the right amount of time and effort to work and to their personal life outside work.

Question 24

Equality policy

Answer 24

Practices and processes aimed at achieving a fair organisation where everyone is treated in the same way without prejudice and has the opportunity to fulfil their potential.

Question 25

Diversity policy

Answer 25

Practices and processes aimed at creating a mixed workforce and placing a positive value on diversity in the workplace.

Question 26

Training

Answer 26

Work-related education to increase workforce skills and efficiency.

Question 27

Induction training

Answer 27

Introductory training programme to familiarise new recruits with the systems used in the business and the layout of the business site.

Question 28

On-the-job training

Answer 28

Instruction at the place of work on how a job should be carried out.

Question 29

Off-the-job training

Answer 29

Instructing undertaken away from the place of work.

Question 30

Multi-skilling

Answer 30

The training of an employee in several skills to allow for greater flexibility within the business.

Question 31

Employee appraisal

Answer 31

The process of assessing the effectiveness of an employee judged against pre-set objectives.

Question 32

Industrial action

Answer 32

Measures taken by the workforce or trade union to put pressure on management to settle an industrial dispute in favour of employees.

Question 33

Collective bargaining

Answer 33

The process of negotiating terms of employment between an employer and a group of workers who are usually represented by a trade union official.

Question 34

Trade union recognition

Answer 34

When an employer formally agrees to conduct negotiations on pay and working conditions with a trade union rather than bargain individually with each worker.