1.4 Flashcards
why is HRM (human resource management) / staffing important?
The right people, in the right roles, with the right support, with opportunities to succeed
This will lead to higher productivity, more profits and a positive work environment
why are staff an asset to businesses
staff:
increase productivity
drive innovation
enhance customer service
build positive reputation for business thru interactions with customers, suppliers, and other stakeholders
effect of national minimum wage on staffing costs
If the government introduces (or raises) a national minimum wage it will apply to employees who receive a wage, rather than a salary
Businesses that employ workers on a wage basis will face higher labour costs
Businesses that employ workers on a salary basis are less likely to be affected by the introduction of a minimum wage, as they already pay a fixed amount regardless of the number of hours worked
what is flexible working?
the development of a culture where workers are equipped to do different roles or where they work in a range of employment patterns
what are some ways to develop a flexible workforce?
multi-skilling
outsourcing
flexible hours / home working
what is multi-skilling?
the process of training workers to fulfil multiple job roles within a business
advantages of multi skilling?
Business utilise their workforce more efficiently which reduces labour costs and increase productivity
disadvantages of multiskilling
May require significant investment in training and development
May not be appropriate for all job roles, especially those that require a high level of expertise
advantages of part time/ temporary working
can help businesses to attract and retain talent, especially staff who value work-life balance
may improve productivity, as staff can work during their most productive hours and avoid distractions
disadvantages of part time / temporary work
can create challenges in terms of communication and collaboration (especially if staff are working remotely)
Monitoring and managing flexible workers can be more difficult
advantages of outsourcing
may allow businesses to access specialised skills that may not be available in-house
May reduce labour costs
disadvantages of outsourcing
may lead to a loss of control over quality and delivery, especially if the outsourcing partner is based in another country
may create ethical concerns, especially if the partner is based in a country with lower labour standards or human rights abuses
individual approach to employer/employee relationships
Assumes that each employee is unique and has their own goals, motivations, and interests
emphasises the need for tailored compensation packages that cater to each employee’s unique skills and needs
The employment relationship is a voluntary agreement between two parties in which both negotiate their respective roles, responsibilities and benefits
The employer has the power to hire, fire, and set the terms and conditions of employment
collective bargaining
a group of employees (represented by a trade union) negotiate with their employer for better wages, working conditions and benefits
Employees have more bargaining power when they negotiate collectively rather than as individuals
The employment relationship is seen as a power struggle between two parties with conflicting interests
The employer wants to maximise profits by keeping labour costs low
The employees want to maximise their wages and benefits
The union acts as the collective voice of the employees and bargains with the employer on behalf of all workers
what is recruitment
the process of attracting and identifying potential job candidates who are suitable for a particular role
what are some examples of some recruitment activities?
job advertising, job fairs, social media outreach and referrals
what is selection?
he process of choosing the best candidate
Selection activities often involve reviewing CVs and conducting interviews or assessment tasks
The goal of selection is to hire the most suitable candidate for the job
what are the stages of the recruitment and selection process
- define the role
2.determine the best source of candidates (external or internal recruitment) - advertise
- receive applications
- selection
pros of internal recruitment
Cheaper and quicker to recruit
People already familiar with the business and how it operates
Provides opportunities for promotion with in the business – can be motivating
Business already knows the strengths and weaknesses of candidates
cons of internal recruitment
Limits the number of potential applicants
No new ideas can be introduced from outside
May cause resentment amongst candidates not appointed
Creates another vacancy which needs to be filled
advantages of external recruitment
outside people bring new ideas
larger pool of candidates
might have wider range of experience
disadvantages of external recruitment
Longer process
More expensive process due to advertising and interviews required
Selection process may not be effective enough to reveal the best candidate
what is induction training?
a type of training that new employees receive when they start working for a company
advantages of induction training
Helps new employees to understand their job roles and responsibilities
Introduces employees to the company culture, policies, and procedures
Improves employee confidence and motivation
Reduces the time taken for new employees to become productive
disadvantages of induction training
Can be time-consuming and expensive to organise
May not cover all aspects of the job role
May not be effective in all cases, leading to employee dissatisfaction and higher turnover rates
what is on the job training?
training that takes place while employees are working in their job roles
advantages of on the job training
Employees learn new skills and knowledge while performing their job duties
Training is tailored to the employee’s specific job role and responsibilities
Training is often more practical and relevant to the employee’s job duties
Can be cost-effective as it takes place during working hours
disadvantages of on the job training
Employees may make mistakes while learning, which can impact productivity and quality
Can be disruptive to the workplace as it requires the trainer to devote time to training the employee
May not be effective in all cases, leading to employee dissatisfaction and higher turnover rates
what is off the job training?
A type of training that takes place outside of the workplace
advantages of off the job training
Training can be tailored to the employee’s specific needs and interests
Training can be used as a reward or incentive for high-performing employees
Can be cost-effective if training is provided online or through webinars
disadvantages to off the job training
Can be expensive to organise, especially if travel and accommodation are required
Employees may miss work while attending training, which can impact productivity
advantages of a tall organisational structure
Provides a clear hierarchy of authority and defined roles and responsibilities
Promotes specialisation and expertise within each department or function
Offers opportunities for career advancement and promotion within the organization
All of the above increases efficiency and motivation
disadvantages of a tall organisational structure
Can create communication barriers between the upper and lower levels of the hierarchy
Decision-making can be slow as information must pass through multiple layers of management
This can lead to bureaucracy and excessive levels of management
All of the above reduce efficiency and motivation
disadvantages of a flat organisational structure
can lead to role ambiguity and a lack of a clear hierarchy
May not provide clear opportunities for career advancement or promotion
This may require employees to take on multiple roles and responsibilities leading to burnout and overwhelm
All of the above reduce efficiency and motivation
advantages of a flat organisational structure
Promotes a culture of collaboration and open communication
Decision-making can be faster and more efficient
Encourages creativity and innovation, as employees have more autonomy and flexibility
All of the above increases efficiency and motivation
what is a matrix organisational structure
company structure where teams report to multiple leaders.
advantages of a matrix structure
Allows for specialisation and expertise within each functional area
Enables efficient allocation of resources and coordination of multiple projects
All of the above increases efficiency and motivation
what is a disadvantage of the matrix structure
can lead to conflicts over priorities and resources
This can create confusion over roles and responsibilities particularly when multiple managers are involved
Requires a high degree of communication and coordination, which can be challenging
why is motivation important?
Motivated employees are more likely to be reliable and dependable
Motivated employees are more productive and efficient as they are more likely to be engaged in their work and take initiative to meet or exceed their goals
They will generate higher levels of output and quality
Increased productivity results in higher profits for the business
Motivated employees are more likely to stay with the company long-term which reduces the turnover rate
Lower turnover rates reduce the need for costly recruitment and training
what is taylors scientific management?
focuses on breaking down complex tasks into simpler ones, standardising work processes, and providing workers with clear instructions and training to achieve maximum efficiency
advantages of taylors scientific management
Standardised procedures for work processes that everyone follows can help reduce errors and inconsistencies
Specialisation of labour leads to greater efficiency and productivity
Clear hierarchy and lines of authority can lead to more efficient decision-making and communication
disadvantages of taylors scientific management
Workers may disengage from work if they are reduced to working in a machine-like system
Limited applicability as this approach may not work for roles that require high levels of creativity, problem-solving, or interpersonal skills
Potential for exploitation as this approach may be used to extract more work from workers without compensating them fairly
e.g many ‘sweat shop’ labourers get paid using this method
what is mayo’s human relations theory?
focuses on the importance of social factors in the workplace
These include factors such as communication, motivation, and job satisfaction
advantages of mayo’s human relation theory
Increased productivity as workers feel valued and supported
Better communication as workers value open and honest communication which reduces misunderstandings and conflicts
disadvantages of mayo’s human relations theory
Time-consuming as building positive relationships requires time and effort
Lack of control as workers take more decisions
Potential for conflict as attempts to build stronger relationships can also lead to conflicts and disagreements
what is maslows heirarchy of needs?
a theory of human motivation that outlines five teirs of human needs that must be met for a person to reach their full potential
what are the teirs? (top to bottom)
physiological (breathing, food, water, sleep)
safety (job security, fair pay, safe working conditions)
love and belonging (teamwork and good employee relationships)
esteem (businesses give people recognition)
self-actualisation (offering opportunities )
advantages of maslows theory
Higher employee satisfaction: By meeting the needs of employees, businesses can create a more satisfying work environment which can lead to increased productivity and lower turnover rates
Improved employee performance: Employees who feel valued and supported by their employers are more likely to perform at a higher level
disadvantages of maslows theory
Expensive: Meeting many individual needs can be costly, especially when offering perks such as the use of a company car
Time-consuming: Requires significant effort from management to connect individually to understand which opportunities for personal growth are desired
what is herzbergs theory
Herzberg’s theory suggests that there are two types of factors that affect employee motivation and job satisfaction - hygiene factors and motivators
what is a hygiene factor?
elements that do not necessarily lead to job satisfaction, but their absence can cause dissatisfaction which decreases motivation
what is a motivator?
elements that lead to job satisfaction and motivation
advantages of a paternalistic leadership style
no employee involvement in decision making, so decisions can be made more quickly.
Because the business considers the welfare of the employees, they are more likely to be loyal to the business
The business also takes into account the employees best interests which can make the employees feel more recognised by the business, further incresing their loyalty to the business.
disadvantages to paternalistic style
no employee involvement in decision making which can lead to dissatisfaction in employees if bad decisions are made.
There is low motivation amongst staff as they are still being ordered around strictly and don’t have much creativity.
Employees are too dependant on supervisors which can cause the business to be slower as they cannot be independant
advantages to laissez-faire
encourages creativity
high morale (dont feel talked down to)
flexibility
quick decision making
disadvantages of laissez-faire
Limited control over quality
Risk of inconsistent
performance
Reduced productivity in
team members who lack self-motivation
Conflict from different interpretations of roles and responsibilities.
