Unit 6

Question 1

What are HR objectives?

Answer 1

Targets relating to the workforce such as labour productivity, employee engagement, and talent development.

Question 2

Examples of HR objectives?

Answer 2

Employee engagement, talent development, diversity, alignment of values, labour productivity, number and skills of employees.

Question 3

Internal influences on HR objectives?

Answer 3

Corporate objectives, operational strategies, financial position, organisational culture.

Question 4

External influences on HR objectives?

Answer 4

Market changes, labour market trends, legal changes, technological developments.

Question 5

What is labour turnover?

Answer 5

The percentage of staff leaving a business in a period.

Formula: (Number of leavers / Average number employed) × 100

Question 6

What is labour retention?

Answer 6

The ability of a business to keep its employees.

Question 7

What is labour productivity?

Answer 7

Output per worker.

Formula: Output / Number of Employees

Question 8

What is absenteeism?

Answer 8

The rate at which staff are absent from work.

Question 9

Why measure HR performance?

Answer 9

To identify problems, improve efficiency, and inform HR decisions.

Question 10

What is workforce planning?

Answer 10

Forecasting future HR needs and planning how to meet them.

Question 11

Why is workforce planning important?

Answer 11

Ensures the business has the right number of skilled workers.

Question 12

Key stages of workforce planning?

Answer 12

Forecast demand, assess current workforce, identify gaps, develop strategies.

Question 13

Short-term workforce planning strategies?

Answer 13

Temporary staff, overtime, retraining.

Question 14

Long-term workforce planning strategies?

Answer 14

Recruitment, training, succession planning.

Question 15

What is organisational design?

Answer 15

The structure and hierarchy of an organisation.

Question 16

What is a tall structure?

Answer 16

Many levels of hierarchy, narrow spans of control.

Question 17

What is a flat structure?

Answer 17

Few levels of hierarchy, wide spans of control.

Question 18

What is centralisation?

Answer 18

Decision-making kept at the top of the organisation.

Question 19

What is decentralisation?

Answer 19

Decision-making is spread across the organisation.

Question 20

Benefits of centralisation?

Answer 20

Consistency, control, quicker decisions.

Question 21

Benefits of decentralisation?

Answer 21

Motivation, flexibility, quicker local decisions.

Question 22

What is delayering?

Answer 22

Removing levels of management to flatten the structure.

Question 23

Benefits and drawbacks of delayering?

Answer 23

Cuts costs and improves communication but may increase stress and reduce promotion opportunities.

Question 24

What is employee engagement?

Answer 24

Emotional commitment an employee has to the organisation.

Question 25

Financial methods of motivation?

Answer 25

Bonuses, pay rises, commission, profit sharing.

Question 26

Non-financial methods of motivation?

Answer 26

Job enrichment, empowerment, recognition, team working.

Question 27

What is Taylor’s theory?

Answer 27

Workers motivated by money; supports piece-rate pay.

Question 28

What is Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 28

Five levels of needs: physiological, safety, love/belonging, esteem, self-actualisation.

Question 29

What is Herzberg’s two-factor theory?

Answer 29

Hygiene factors prevent dissatisfaction; motivators encourage satisfaction.

Question 30

What is job enrichment?

Answer 30

Giving employees more responsibility and challenge.

Question 31

What is empowerment?

Answer 31

Giving employees power to make decisions.

Question 32

What is employee representation?

Answer 32

Ways employees have a voice in decision-making, e.g., works councils, trade unions.

Question 33

What is collective bargaining?

Answer 33

Negotiations between employers and employee representatives.

Question 34

Benefits of good employee relations?

Answer 34

Improved motivation, retention, reduced conflict, better productivity.

Question 35

What is industrial action?

Answer 35

Strikes or other actions taken by workers to enforce demands.

Question 36

Methods of improving relations?

Answer 36

Open communication, consultation, effective leadership, shared goals.