Human resources

Question 1

internal recruitment

Answer 1

adv
Job vacancy can be filled
quickly as employees are already
known in the organisation

Employees feel more valued and
as a result become more
motivated and productive if
given the chance of promotion

Dis
Opportunity to gain ideas
from a new employee is lost,
this means that there’s no
new solutions to problems

Conflict amongst existing
employees competing for the
job might exist this could
cause tension in the
workplace

Question 2

external recruitment

Answer 2

People with new ideas can be
brought in, this can help
enhance the effectiveness of
the organisation

External recruitment can
attract large quantities of
applicants, this means the
organisation can have a large
selection to choose from

dis
Existing employees that who
apply for the job but do not
get it may feel undervalued,
this means they could loose
motivation to work hard

It can be expensive to
advertise externally, e.g. a
national newspaper this could
lower profits

Question 3

interviews

Answer 3

adv
Interviews determine how candidates act under pressure

Gives an indication of candidates personality
disadv
As interviews are stressful, some people may not perform well
under pressure and may miss out on hiring quality employees

Applicants can prepare for interviews and say what the panel
want to hear – however may not be the best person for the job

Question 4

testing

Answer 4

dis
Time consuming to carry out

May put applicants under too much pressure

Question 5

assesment centres

Answer 5

advantages
Assesses how they interact with others

Allows organisation to scrutinise applicants over a longer
period of time

disadvantages
Venue may need to be hired – expensive (£)

Tests require careful planning and prep – time consuming

Question 6

assesment centres

Answer 6

advantages
Assesses how they interact with others

Allows organisation to scrutinise applicants over a longer
period of time

disadvantages
Venue may need to be hired – expensive (£)

Tests require careful planning and prep – time consuming

Question 7

what is involved in workforce planning

Answer 7

Analysing what needs to be done and match skilled
staff to achieve the organisation’s objectives

Identify which employees will be needed in the future
and whether changes to contract need to be made

Considering skills that are needed for future job roles
therefore developments may need to be made re:
training programmes

Question 8

benefits of workforce planning

Answer 8

By either recruiting new staff or training new staff - this
will allow the business to meet their objectives.

By hiring new staff this will allow them to develop new
products to satisfy demand – this will give them a good
reputation.

By hiring new staff this will allow them to work towards
opening new stores – this will help to work towards becoming
the market leader.

Question 9

induction

Answer 9

Employees become familiar with
the organisation and the job
role more quickly

Could be overwhelming for the new
employee

Allows the employee to feel
part of the business from day
one
dis
Time consuming for the new
employee and the staff member
carrying out the induction training

It shows the employee that the
business is interested in the
new employee

Question 10

on the job

Answer 10

adv
May be cheaper as internal training does not need to be paid for

Employees will feel more at ease

dis
Concentration may be poor due to work interruptions

May pick up bad habits from other workers

worse quality of training

Question 11

off the job

Answer 11

Higher quality training usually delivered by experts
Higher levels of concentration as less interruptions

Productivity decreases due to time being spent away from the place of work
Employees may learn skills that are not relevant to the business
is more expensive purchasing an external trainer

Question 12

training adv and dis

Answer 12

It improves the quality of
the product or service.

Reduces the number of
accidents in the workplace.

Good training can attract
high quality staff.

Disadvantages

Can be costly to get in
external trainers / use
training facilities.

Staff may leave after being
trained.

Time away training can result
in a loss in production.

Question 13

continuing proffesional development

Answer 13

Staff development is an important part of
being able to provide a high quality product
or service

May take people away from their work in order to complete training
Improves the skills of staff which can lead to better quality goods or service

Can cost the organisation money to send workers on training courses

Motivates staff as they are better able to do their job and feel the company is investing in their training

Question 14

visual learning enviroments

Answer 14

Organisations can offer employees the opportunity to
participate in CPD through VLE

Can be used to access training materials

Advantages

Can be accessed any time
and anywhere

Large number of people can
access it

Saves printing costs
disadvantages

People need to be
self-disciplined

People may prefer face-to-face
contact

Might be expensive to maintain

Question 15

graducate training schemes

Answer 15

Typically offered to graduates from uni who achieve a 2:1 or
above

They are given a good salary and a mix of intense work based
training over a period of approx. 3 years

Advantages

Attractive salary and good
promotion opportunities

Successful applicants can lead to
gaining a full time job

disadvantages
Graduates command higher salaries
than those without degrees

Not all graduated are guaranteed a
job – this can decrease morale

Question 16

work based qualifications

Answer 16

Qualifications can be assessed in-house or by an assessor
and can be achieved through an apprenticeship

Local college may be carrying out the training/assessment

Scotland has SVQ’s for e.g. hairdressing

Advantages

Recognised qualification can
be gained

Training often takes place
on the job
disadvantages
Costly to enter someone for a
qualification

Time-consuming to complete

Question 17

corportate training schemes

Answer 17

Intense training programme which equips staff with
enhanced skills so they are ready for a promotion or pay
rise e.g. management training scheme

Advantages

Organisation has highly
skilled staff

Staff are motivated –
lower turnover

disadvantages

Work time is lost through
training.

Staff will need to be paid more
after training is complete.

Question 18

appraisal

Answer 18

Appraisal is a 2 way meeting between the employee and
their line manager and used to discuss performance and
set targets

Advantages

Positive feedback can be given this
will motivate the employee

Pay rises/bonuses can be offered
after an appraisal which will
motivate staff improve their work
rates

Employees can be identified for
promotion this can increase their
loyalty to the organisation

disadvantages
Negative feedback can be given
this will demotivate the employee

Employee might be given
unrealistic targets this will put
them under pressure

Too many development needs may
be identified this will stress the
employee

Question 19

peer appraisal

Answer 19

Peer Appraisal

This is carried out by someone of the same level i.e. a colleague
adv
Employee will be more relaxed and react better

Relationships with line managers are not harmed
disadv
Personal relationships could cause the appraisal to be ineffective

Bias could cause an employee to be wrongly identified for a bonus

Question 20

360

Answer 20

HR/Line manager interviews fellow peers/supervisors/subordinates about
the performance of the employee
advantages
Complete profile of employee is made

Subject are/creativity etc is measured
disadvantages
Employees can find it hard to be critical of their colleagues

Time constraints can limit the quality of responses

Question 21

poor motivation leads to

Answer 21

High rates of absenteeism

High level of staff turnover

Poor timekeeping

Unnecessary waste and spoiled output

Low quality output

Disciplinary problems and grievances

Question 22

random ass strategys

Answer 22

Having an open door policy

It will encourage employees
to talk to their managers
about any issues

avoiding 0 hour contracts

Offering permanent
contracts gives employees
the job security and will help
relieve pressure/worry

Question 23

maslow theory of needs

Answer 23

Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs

5 levels that need to be satisfied

Each level must be satisfied before
moving onto the next

Starting at the bottom of the pyramid

Question 24

hertzbergs motivator hygene thing

Answer 24

Herzberg’s Motivator-Hygiene Theory

Also known as the 2-factor theory

Employees are motivated by 2 factors: motivator and
hygiene factors)

Hygiene factors – if not met, they will lower
motivation (e.g. clean toilets, reasonable pay, job
security)

Motivator factors – will not lower motivation if absent
but will increase motivation if they are there (e.g.
delegated responsibility, potential promotion)

Question 25

benefits of motivating staff

Answer 25

Increased productivity ☺

Better quality products ☺

Better standard of customer service ☺

Reduced staff absenteeism ☺

Reduced staff turnover

Question 26

autocratic

Answer 26

Autocratic:

Tell
employees
what to do

Authority and
control held
by manager

adv
Clear
expectations
of what needs
to be done

Decisions are
made quickly
dis
No opportunity
for delegation =
lowering
motivation

Lack of
creativity in
decision making

Question 27

democracy

Answer 27

Democratic:

Communication
and employee
participation is
key

Employees part
of the decision
making
adv
Employees
feel
motivated as
they have a
say in
decision
making

Encourages
creativity
dis
Mistakes can
be made if
workers are
not skilled

Question 28

laizze faire

Answer 28

Laissez-Faire:

Don’t issue
instructions or
supervise, they
just let them
carry out their
jobs
adv
Employees
are highly
empowered

Relaxed
working
environment
disadv
Lack of
direction
could mean
objectives
are not met

Question 29

positive impact of employee relations

Answer 29

It will be easier to introduce change as staff will be more
flexible with suggestions from management

Employees will have their chance to discuss changes or
grievances so will feel happy/secure in the workplace

Organisation will gain a good image for treating its
employees correctly and maintaining good employee relations

Question 30

negative impact of employee relations

Answer 30

Poorer employee performance due to low morale

Increased staff turnover as staff may leave for a
better working environment

Increased staff absenteeism

Question 31

company policies

Answer 31

Grievances

Concerns raised by the employee (may be working
conditions or disputes with staff)

Discipline

Organisations have company policies and there is
set procedures in place if an employee does not
follow them (absenteeism/phone use etc.)

Dismissal

When an employer terminates the employees
contract – this is a last resort in terms of
sanctions after breaking company policy

Redundancy

Is when an employer feels they no longer need
the employee. When a business needs to cut
costs (e.g. 1 week wage for every year worked).

Question 32

external instituitions

Answer 32

Trade Unions

Represents a group of employees

Gives employees a strong voice when negotiating pay

ACAS

When a TU cannot come to an agreement, the
organisation involves ACAS

Government funded

Helps to solve disputes in the workplace rather than
court

Question 33

health and safety act responsibilities

Answer 33

Responsibilities of Employers

Responsibilities of Employees

Provide and maintain a suitable working
environment

Take reasonable care for their own safety and
the safety of others

Provide staff with training and safety info

Cooperate with employer on health and safety
matters

Provide staff with protective clothing/equipment

Do not misuse/tamper or interfere with
equipment

Question 34

health and safety impact

Answer 34

Training may need to be provided which can be costly and can
affect cash flow

Impact – Protective clothing may need to be purchases which could
reduce profits

Question 35

equality act impact

Answer 35

Employee motivation is increased
as they all know they have the same/equal
opportunities in the workplace and chance of
promotion

Question 36

minimum wage act impact

Answer 36

If NMW increases then more will need to be paid out in wages
therefore reducing profits

An organisation may have to reduce the number of people they
employee or reduce staff hours to be able to afford a rise in wages.

Question 37

tech in hr

Answer 37

Internet – used to advertise vacancies online > this will
increase the number of potential applicants

Emails – used to contact employees about appraisals
organise training > allows for many people to be contacted
at once

Video Conferencing – used for interviews > saves travel
costs and appearance and body language can be seen

Database – this can be used by HR to record all of the
employees’ personal information > this can be done on
individual records which is easier to amend information
increasing efficiency

ICT – laptops etc. can allow for employees to work away
from the office > increasing motivation with a better
work-life balance