2.3 - recruitment, selection and training employees

Question 1

what is the process of recruitment?

Answer 1

vacancy arises –> create a job analysis –> create a job description –> create a job specification –> job advertised on appropriate media –> review application forms or cvs and short list –> ​carry out interviews and select the right candidate​

Question 2

what is job analysis?

Answer 2

a job analysis identifies and records the responsibilities and tasks relating to a job ​

Question 3

what is a job description?

Answer 3

a job description outlines the responsibilities and duties to be carried out by someone employed to do a specific job.

Question 4

what is the function of a job description?

Answer 4

• it’s given to applicants, so they know exactly what the job entails so they don’t waste time applying if they don’t like what the job entails​
• once someone has been employed, It can allow the business to see if they are carrying out the job effectively

Question 5

what is a job specification?

Answer 5

a document which outlines the qualifications, expertise and requirements for a specific job

Question 6

what is the difference between a JD and JS?

Answer 6

JD describes the job, whereas a JS describes the type of person they want for the job ​

Question 7

what is internal recruitment?

Answer 7

when a vacancy is filled by someone who is an existing employee of the business

Question 8

what are the benefits and drawbacks of internal recruitment?

Answer 8

• cheaper than external recruitment as there is no need to carry out external recruitment ​
• can be motivating for existing employees as there is potential for a promotion ​
• the person is already known to the business, so the business is aware of their reliability, ability and potential before they hire them​
• no new ideas or experience come into the business from external candidates
• may be conflict among employees if one employee is given the promotion over the other - leads to demotivation​

Question 9

what is external recruitment?

Answer 9

when a vacancy is filled by someone who is not an existing employee and will be new to the business

Question 10

what are the benefits and drawbacks of external recruitment?

Answer 10

• new ideas or experience comes into the business
• more expensive than internal recruitment as they need to advertise externally

Question 11

how can jobs be advertised?

Answer 11

• local and national newspapers ​
• recruitment agencies ​
• online recruitment sites ​
• Linkedin ​
• government job centre ​
• the business website

Question 12

how to choose the most suitable employee for a job

Answer 12

• work experience ​
• qualifications & education ​
• whether internal or external recruitment is more suitable for the business

Question 13

what are full time employees?

Answer 13

employees that work for over 35 hours a week

Question 14

what are part time employees?

Answer 14

employees that work for 1 - 35 hours a week

Question 15

benefits and drawbacks of a part
time employee

Answer 15

• can ask employees to work at busier times e.g. evenings and and improves customer service during peak hours ​
• can ask employees to only work during peak hours - reduces unnecessary wage costs
• takes longer to recruit two part time employees rather than one full time employee ​
• part time employees can be less committed to the business e.g., students therefore more likely to leave (higher labour turnover) ​

Question 16

benefits and drawbacks of a full time employee

Answer 16

• takes less time to recruit one full time employee rather than 2 part time employee ​
• full time employees can be more committed to the business, increasing quality of customer service/products produced
• employees need to be paid regardless of peak busy times/non peak- leading to higher costs ​

Question 17

what is induction?

Answer 17

training carried out when an employee is new to a job explaining the business activities, introducing them to fellow workers, and the working environment /equipment and health and safety instructions ​

Question 18

what is the importance of training?

Answer 18

improves the efficiency of the employees- leads to lower unit costs and higher output ​
- to introduce a new process or new equipment ​
- improves the quality of the product/service ​
- reduces the chances of work place accidents ​

Question 19

benefits and drawbacks of training

Answer 19

• workers are less likely to make mistakes if they are familiar with the working environment and machinery etc
• helps new employees feel more confident and comfortable in the workplace, making them feel happier and more motivated​

Question 20

what is on the job training?

Answer 20

involves a person being trained by watching a more experienced worker doing the job. suitable for unskilled and semiskilled workers

Question 21

benefits and drawbacks of on the job training

Answer 21

• cheaper than off the job training as the employee is not sent to an external paid for course​
• it’s training tailored to the specific needs of the business e.g, their machines/workspace. Improves ability to use machinery, better quality products/services​
• the trainer will not be as productive as normal as they are spending time trying to teach the trainee- decrease in productivity​
• the trainer may have bad habits and they may pass these off to the trainee

Question 22

what is off the job training?

Answer 22

involves being trained away from the workforce, usually by specialist trainers at a specialist college or training centre

Question 23

what are the benefits and drawbacks of off the job training?

Answer 23

• trained by experts so may gain better skills and expertise leading to higher productivity and better-quality products/services ​
• the employee could attend the course in the evening and so can carry out normal work duties during the day- no decrease in output​
• costs of courses can be high ​
• if the employee gains additional qualifications from the course, it means they are more employable for other firms - employees could easily leave and work for another firm ​

Question 24

why could reducing the workforce be necessary?

Answer 24

• introducing new machinery may mean that less employees are needed ​
• falling demand for goods and services ​
• relocating the factory abroad ​

Question 25

what is dismissal?

Answer 25

when employment is ended against the will of the employee, usually for not fulfilling the duties in the contract of employment e.g. always late or stealing (Fired)

Question 26

what is redundancy?

Answer 26

when an employee is no longer needed and so loses their job. it’s not because they did not carry out their duties effectively. E.g. during covid or a recession

Question 27

how to decide who should be made redundant

Answer 27

ask employees - some may be happy to be made redundant e.g. people close to retirement age ​
- how long they’ve worked there - usually people that have been there the longest will stay as they have more experience. ​
- employment history of the worker- e.g. whether they have good attendance/punctuality/ output rate etc.

Question 28

what is employment legislation that a business must follow?

Answer 28

providing all employees with a contract of employment (includes job title, duties, salary, hours of work, holiday entitlement)

Question 29

what is the impacts on the employer and employee of the employment legalisation?

Answer 29

allows owners to dismiss the worker more easily if they are able to show what aspects of the contract have been broken

• provides security of employment and consistent salary ​
• the employee can seek compensation if the employer does not meet the conditions of the contract

Question 30

what is unfair dismissal?

Answer 30

when a business ends a worker’s contract for reason that is not covered in the contract. an employer may carry out unfair dismissal because they are discriminating or because they don’t want to pay the redundancy compensation. ​

Answer 31

• the employee can take the employer to court to seek compensation if they can prove unfair dismissal
• can give the business a bad name if the business is taken to court for unfair dismissal​
• employers have to keep records of written and verbal warnings, so they are not accused of unfair dismissal​

Question 32

what are discrimination laws?

Answer 32

discrimination at work may occur because of someone’s race, religion, colour, gender, disability, sexuality

Question 33

what are the impacts on the employer and employee of discrimination?

Answer 33

• fairer treatment of all employees in the workplace​
• fair pay for employees regardless of gender or race ​
• must be careful when advertising jobs e.g., we are seeking a person, not a man ​
• when carrying out R & S, must treat all applicants equally

Question 34

what is health & safety at work?

Answer 34

businesses can follow this law by:​
- providing safety equipment ​
- training staff on machinery ​
- have hygienic wash facilities

Question 35

what are the impacts on the employer and employee of health & safety laws?

Answer 35

• higher costs paying for equipment & training ​
• reduces accident rate so less employees taking sick leave/compensation ​
• workers feel safer and more motivated at work.

Question 36

what is legal minimum wage?

Answer 36

employers must pay employees the legal minimum wage of that country

Question 37

what are the impacts on the employer and employee of legal minimum wage?

Answer 37

• increases business costs - business may react by passing high costs off in the form of higher prices OR may replace workers with machinery ​
• employees are more motivated if they are paid more- increased motivation in the workplace