2.5- Making human resource decisions

Question 1

Organisational structure def?

Answer 1

Shows how employees are organised in a business

Question 2

Subordinates def?

Answer 2

Employees below a manager in the chain of command

Question 3

Span of control def?

Answer 3

Number of employees a line manager is responsible for

Question 4

Chain of command def?

Answer 4

Communication route from the top to the bottom of a business

Question 5

Tall structure is…? aka?

Answer 5

A pyramid structure with many levels
Hierarchical

Question 6

Tall/hierarchical structure
Ads & dis?

Answer 6

Ads: Opportunities for promotion, motivating. Narrow span of control, closer supervision, avoid errors
Dis: Long chain of command, takes time. Feeling of division, employees may not feel part of a team

Question 7

Flat structure
Ads & dis?

Answer 7

Ads: Shorter chain of command, takes less time. Team feeling, motivating
Dis: Large span of control, more distant supervision. Few progression routes, less motivation

Question 8

Delegation def?

Answer 8

Distributing tasks to employees lower down in the chain of command

Question 9

Centralised business structure def?

Answer 9

When a head office makes all business decisions

Question 10

Decentralised business structure def?

Answer 10

When managers in local branches make business decisions

Question 11

Centralised structure
Ads & dis?

Answer 11

Ads- Consistency across all locations, builds customer loyalty. Effective decisions, meet objectives
Dis- Limits creativity from local managers, decreased motivation. Standard approach, may not be suitable to all locations

Question 12

Decentralised structure
Ads & dis?

Answer 12

Ads- Increased creativity for local managers, more motivation. Unique, suitable for the location
Dis- Not consistent, unsatisfied customers. Ineffective decisions, can impact performance

Question 13

Communication def?

Answer 13

The exchange of ideas from one person to another

Question 14

2 types of ineffective communication?
Definitions?
Impact?

Answer 14

Insufficient- a lack of/ poor communication
-Employees lack knowledge, jobs completed incorrectly, poor business performance
Excessive- too much communication
-Employees feel overloaded, decrease productivity and business performance

Question 15

Barrier to communication def?
Its effect?

Answer 15

Something that prevents communication/ makes it less effective
Reduce efficiency

Question 16

3 examples of barriers to communication

Answer 16

Poor explanations
Faulty technology
Incorrect language

Question 17

3 types of job hours
Examples of jobs?

Answer 17

Part-time Only working for part of the week e.g retail industry
Full-time Working five days a week e.g teachers, doctors
Flexible Can choose when they work, improved motivation

Question 18

3 types of contracts
Definitions?
When they are used?

Answer 18

Permanent- has no fixed end date, long-term roles
Temporary- has a specified end date, seasonal demand
Freelance- carrying out a piece of work over a period of time, creative industries

Question 19

Ad & dis of full time and temporary staff

Answer 19

Full time Ad- More motivated Dis- Costly fixed costs
Temporary Ad- Flexible Dis- Less motivated

Question 20

2 ways technology has helped the working world

Answer 20

Increased efficiency
Remote working

Question 21

2 ways technology improves efficiency?

Answer 21

More machinery- faster output than humans
Reduced barriers to communication- email, video calls

Question 22

Remote working
Ad & dis

Answer 22

Ad- less time taken off for sickness /lateness
Dis- lower productivity

Question 23

5 key job roles

Answer 23

Directors, senior managers, supervisors/team leaders, operational staff, support staff

Question 24

Responsibilities of directors?
senior managers?

Answer 24

-Make main business decisions e.g setting up new offices
-Make operational decisions and strategies

Question 25

Responsibilities of supervisors? operational staff? support staff?

Answer 25

-Manage team of employees, set their working hours etc -Fulfill the purpose of the business -Assist the running of the business but not the purpose e.g cleaners, maintenance workers

Question 26

Recruitment def?

Answer 26

The process of finding someone to fulfill a job role

Question 27

4 documents involved in recruitment

Answer 27

Person specification, job description, application form, CV

Question 28

Person specification contains? For example?

Answer 28

Information about the type of person the business wants e.g education, experience

Question 29

Job description contains? For example?

Answer 29

Duties involved in the role Job title, hours and location of work

Question 30

Application form contains? For example?

Answer 30

Questions to learn about the potential employee Why they deserve the role?

Question 31

CV contains? For example?

Answer 31

Information on the applicant's education, experience and skills

Question 32

2 recruitment methods used

Answer 32

Internal recruitment External recruitment

Question 33

Internal recruitment How is it carried out? Ads & dis?

Answer 33

Job adverts through internal emails and notice boards Ads- Applicants are known, cheaper to advertise Dis- Small pool of applicants, lack of fresh ideas

Question 34

External recruitment How is it carried out? Ads & dis?

Answer 34

Job websites, newspapers Ads- Large pool of applicants, fresh ideas can be brought Dis- Applicants aren't previously known, expensive to advertise

Question 35

6 ways of training employees

Answer 35

Formal training Informal training Self-learning Ongoing training Target setting Performance review/ appraisal

Question 36

What is? Formal training Informal training Self-learning

Answer 36

Official, structured training could be related to a course. Less structured training often conducted by colleagues Employees teaching themselves

Question 37

What is..? Ongoing training Target setting Performance reviews/appraisal

Answer 37

Continuous training through employment Goals for employees to reach and improve Formal meetings to discuss the employee's performance

Question 38

2 key reasons for training and why it helps the business?

Answer 38

Motivation- employees feel valued, want to progress, work harder Retention- employees feel valued, likely to continue working at the business

Question 39

Ads of retraining to use new technology?

Answer 39

-Feel looked after, increase retention and motivation -Improve business performance, use it to full benefit

Question 40

3 reasons why motivation is important in a business

Answer 40

Attract employees- more likely to recommend the workplace Retain employees- satisfied with their role Productivity- complete more work when motivated

Question 41

3 advantages of retaining employees

Answer 41

-Long time employees require less training and monitoring than new -Keep their skills in the business -Less time and money spent on recruitment

Question 42

5 financial methods of motivation

Answer 42

Remuneration, bonus, commission, promotion, fringe benefits

Question 43

What is...? Remuneration Bonuses Commission

Answer 43

Money paid to an employee for working e.g pay rises A form of additional remuneration, could be awarded at end of year Money per sale paid on top of a salary

Question 44

What is..? Promotion Fringe benefits

Answer 44

Providing a higher-ranking job with more responsibilities and pay Additional perks that usually save employees' money e.g company car

Question 45

3 non-financial methods of motivation

Answer 45

Job rotation, job enrichment, autonomy

Question 46

Job rotation providing motivation?

Answer 46

Wider variety in an employee's tasks, avoids boredom

Question 47

Job enrichment providing motivation?

Answer 47

Giving employees more responsibility, decision making and control. Increases motivation, lowers absence rates.

Question 48

Autonomy providing motivation?

Answer 48

Gives the employee more decision making, makes them feel valued and trusted by employer

Question 49

4 starters for chains of analysis for this topic?

Answer 49

Motivation Absence rates Productivity rates Staff retention