2.5 Making human resource decisions

Question 1

Organisation Charts

Answer 1

A diagram that shows the internal structure of an organisation.

Question 2

Hierarchy

Answer 2

The levels in an organisation.

Question 3

Chain of Command

Answer 3

The line of authority from the top of a hierarchy downwards.

Question 4

Span of Control

Answer 4

The number of workers who report directly to a manager or supervisor.

Question 5

Delegate

Answer 5

Where a worker is given responsibility to do a job that isn’t part of their usual role.

Question 6

Hierarchical / Tall structures

Answer 6

An organisation with many levels of hierarchy. This means a tall organisational structure

Question 7

Centralised Organisation

Answer 7

All decisions are made at the Head Office and so branch managers have very little say eg McDonalds

Question 8

Decentralised organisation

Answer 8

an organisation that allows staff to make decisions at a local
level.

Question 9

Flat structure

Answer 9

an organisation with few layers
of hierarchy – presumably because each manager is responsible for many staff.

Question 10

Hierarchical structure

Answer 10

an organisation with many layers of management, therefore creating a tall organisational pyramid.

Question 11

Organisation chart

Answer 11

a diagram that shows the internal structure of an organisation.

Question 12

Communication

Answer 12

the passing of information from one person or organisation to another.

Question 13

Barrier to communication

Answer 13

something that prevents the flow of communication.

Question 14

Insufficient communication

Answer 14

too little communication, which might leave some staff under-informed and demotivated.

Question 15

Excessive communication

Answer 15

too much communication causing overload for staff – a
particular problem with email.

Question 16

Flexible hours

Answer 16

a contract between a company and an employee that doesn’t specify how many
hours of work will be provided.

Question 17

Freelance contract

Answer 17

an agreement over one job between a company and self-employed worker.

Question 18

Permanent contract

Answer 18

an agreement between a company and an employee that work and income will be provided constantly into the long-term future.

Question 19

Remote working

Answer 19

working away from the office, typically from home.

Question 20

Temporary contract

Answer 20

an agreement between a company and an employee that work and income will be
provided for a specific time period, say six months.

Question 21

Application form

Answer 21

the series of questions a job-seeker must fill in when trying to get an employer interested in interviewing them.

Question 22

CV (curriculum vitae)

Answer 22

sets out the person’s qualifications, experience and any other relevant facts (it literally means the ‘story of life’).

Question 23

External recruitment

Answer 23

appointing from outside the existing staff.

Question 24

Internal recruitment

Answer 24

appointing from within the existing staff.

Question 25

Job description

Answer 25

a short account of the main features of the job.

Question 26

Person specification:

Answer 26

a description of the type of person who would best fit the job: their character, their experience and skills.

Question 27

References

Answer 27

people such as teachers or previous bosses who are willing to answer questions about the qualities of a job applicant.

Question 28

Retention

Answer 28

a calculation of how many staff stay loyal rather than leaving, for example staff staying as a percentage of all staff.

Question 29

Formal training

Answer 29

the official training programme, for example a two-year graduate training programme.

Question 30

Informal training:

Answer 30

the unexpected, unplanned extra advice or demonstrations that come from colleagues or, occasionally, customers.

Question 31

Mentor

Answer 31

someone in the workplace who gives you advice and help, officially or unofficially.

Question 32

Ongoing training:

Answer 32

regular, perhaps weekly, training sessions for all staff.

Question 33

Performance reviews

Answer 33

discussion sessions between you and your boss (perhaps every six months) about how well you are doing against the targets set for you.

Question 34

Self-learning

Answer 34

teaching yourself, perhaps by thinking why a problem occurred and making sure you learn from your mistakes.

Question 35

Target-setting

Answer 35

when you are set goals by a manager and your job is to achieve them.