Human resources

Question 1

role of HR department

Answer 1

Train staff
Motivate staff
ensure positive employee relations
Ensure organisation has staff they need

Question 2

Advantages and disadvantages of internal recruitment

Answer 2

Advs
- saves money on external advertisement costs.
-Employees motivated as they know there is a chance of promotion.
DisAdvs
-Applicants drawn from limited pool.
- No new ideas and skills added to organisation

Question 3

Advantages and disadvantages of External recruitment

Answer 3

Advs
-New ideas and skills are brought into organisation.
- Wider pool of candidates to choose from.
Disadvs
-Staff demotivated as no internal promotion
-Large pool of candidates will take time to choose from

Question 4

Induction training Advantages and disadvantages

Answer 4

Advs
- Staff become familiar with business and feel settled as they meet and work with colleagues
- Important health and safety instructions are covered
Disadvs
- Prevents staff immediately starting work
- Existing staff need to carry out induction training so production time lost

Question 5

Advantages and disadvantages of on the job training

Answer 5

Advs
-Employee contributes to organisation while training
-Employees learn better doing work rather than reading about it
Disavs
-Mistakes can be made as may be taught incorrect technique
-Employees can slow down other employees who are coaching or demonstrating

Question 6

Advantages and disadvantages of Off the job training

Answer 6

Advs
-Staff can fully concentrate on learning about the job without any distractions
-Current staff aren’t bothered by new members of staff training around them
Disadvs
-Sending staff to training centers costs money
-Nothing contributed to organisation while training is taking place

Question 7

Advantages of motivation

Answer 7

Productivity will increase
customer service will improve
Less chance of industrial action

Question 8

Maslow’s Motivation theory

Answer 8

Physiological- these are biological requirements for human survival.
Safety needs - protection from elements, security
Love and belonging needs - to fulfill social needs such as friendship and family
Self esteem- To feel worthy and respected
Self actualization- realizing personal potential and having status

Question 9

Hertzberg’s motivator-hygiene theory

Answer 9

hygiene factors
- will not motivate employees but if not there they will lower motivation
-Facilities, pay, job security etc.
Motivator factors
-if absent wont lower motivation but can increase motivation
-Not linked to top of maslows hierarchy and could involve awarding employees with promotion and recognition etc.

Question 10

Financial methods of motivation

Answer 10

Commission- percentage of their sales made which will motivate them to sell more
Piece rate- when employee is paid per item they produce, which encourages higher productivity rate.
Time rate- Employee receives basic rate of pay for time period they work.

Question 11

Non financial methods of motivation

Answer 11

staff appraisals- Regular meetings with a manager
Job share- let employee share working hours with a fellow employee
Flexi time- employees given flexible working hours so they can choose when they work

Question 12

autocratic leadership

Answer 12

Authority and control retained by leader
Advantages
- clear expectations of what needs done
- Good when a quick decision needs made
Disadvantages
-employees demotivated because they feel controlled
- Lack of creative decision making with senior management

Question 13

Democratic leadership

Answer 13

Communication and employee participation are key.
Advantages
- employees motivated as opinion matters
-Employee creativity is encouraged and helps solve complex problems
Disadvantages
-Mistakes can be made if unskilled workers
-Some employees can be less productive that under autocratic