Chapter 4 Flashcards
Define human resource manager
coordinates all activities involves in acquiring, developing maintaining and terminating employees from an organisations human resources
Define human resource management
In the simplest terms is defined as the effective management of the formal relationship between the employer and employees
Human
Explain human resource management
Human resource management begins with the establishment phase – getting people to work for the organisation
Maintenance stage follows – once the correct people have been selected they must be trained and developed appropriately
Finally there are times when employees will separate from the organisation either voluntary or involuntary this is called termination
This cycle is known as the ‘employment cycle’
Acquiring
Developing
Maintaining
Terminating
Explained the link between business objectives
objectives achieved via human input, so well-designed HR policies and practices are essential for organisations to achieve those objectives
focus on positive work relationships in order to improve motivation and increase productivity and, consequently, contribute to the achievement of organisational objectives
The HR manager would set HR objectives in line with the business objectives.
For example, aiming to achieve increased motivation in staff, likely to lead to increased productivity and hence the achievement of wider business objectives such as increased sales, increased net profit, improved rates of productivity growth and increased market share
Human resource strategies are:
the plans, practices and procedures implemented by HRM that are designed to achieve both HR objectives and wider business objectives.
For example HR strategies of training, thorough selection processes and regular performance appraisals can all result in the achievement of the HR objectives of improved productivity of workers and hence the achievement of business objectives such as increased sales, increased net profit and increased market share
Human resource key functions include
Workforce planning Recruitment and selection Training and development Performance management Reward management Transition/termination Industrial relations Policy development for all of the above and wider legislative requirements (OH&S, equal opportunity, sexual harassment etc.)
Explain objectives and strategies
Organisations may be successful by achieving the objectives by balancing their need for profitability (satisfying shareholders) with the regard for the well-being of employees
HR management focuses on positive work and employment relationships in attempt to lead to motivated staff – increasing productivity and achieving Organisational objectives.
An LSO will often establish a human resources function or department to be responsible for all aspects of staffing – thus HR manager involved with senior managers in determining Organisational objectives,
The HR manager will also have to ensure strategies used by HR department are inline with the objectives and strategies of the entire organisation
HR department will work closely with other departments in the organisation – e.g. working closely with operational management to recruit and select strategies
Explain the roles of human resource management
Plan – by establishing HR objective and a process for how these goals will be achieved
Organise – by ensuring that the right employees are matched with the right tasks and by offering training and support programs for staff
Lead – by motivating and inspiring staff to achieve Organisational objectives (financial rewards, recognition + promotion are some strategies used to motivate staff)
Control – by establishing measures to monitor employee performance
Common expectations of employees from organisations include
Honest and fair treatment Clean and safe working environment Opportunities for training, development and promotion Constructive feedback Sense of satisfaction Correct payment Secure but flexible work arrangement Workplace free of abuse and harassment and discrimination
Come of expectations of organisations from employees include
Commitment to the job Punctuality Follow reasonable requests Work cooperatively in teams Provide excellent customer service Compete projects on time Act honestly and fairly
Define employer of choice
An employer of choice attracts motivates and holds highly talented workers
Explain employer of choice
These employees choose to work for an organisation rather than another one because of the conditions, rewards and opportunities it offers
Thus it is important for an organisation strong reputation as good place to work
It is important for organisations to be aware of employees expectations and continue to meet those expectations in order to maintain a good reputation
In aligning workplace practices and employee’s needs an employer of choice will provide excellent and flexible conditions of employment, open communications and a safe environment as well as offering job security, value, diversity + promote a work life balance
The benefits of an organisation being an employer of choice include
Reputation in the community
Lower staff turnover (thus reduced costs of hiring and training new staff)
Employees will be highly engaged as they willingly want to work for the company as their expectations are met they are likely to be even more motivated and productivity will increase (employee satisfaction)
Explain changing employee expectations
As the workforce today is well educated – employees increasingly want changing work, greater responsibility and autonomy (independence)
They are more aware of health and safety issues and the effects of stress (often do to long hours of work)
More organisations are seeking increased equity in employment opportunities and trying to find a balance between work and family
refer to what an employer has agreed to give the employee in return for the employee’s work. Set out by Fair Work Australia minimum conditions.
Basic conditions of employment include:
clearly specified hours of work
leave entitlements e.g. annual leave, sick leave and long-service leave
public holiday entitlements
other entitlements such as redundancy pay if employment is terminated or paid parental leave
Define industrial democracy/empowerment
Is the move towards increasing the influence of employees in decisions affecting their organisation and their jobs
Explain industrial/Democracy empowerment
Employees want to be apart of decisions and make decisions for themselves
This process of ‘industrial democracy’ breaks down the traditional ‘boss’ to ‘worker’ relationship placing new demands on human resource managers and resulting in the formation of autonomous work teams
Acknowledging that employees can take responsibility for their own actions and can initiate tasks without being ordered to
Define diversity
Refers to the differences between employees in the organisation encompassing characteristics such as race, gender, ethnic group, age, disability, sexual orientation, the terms of employment, personality and education
Explain diversity
Organisations understand the need to embrace diversity, delivering many benefits to the organisation – a diverse work place have a wide range of skills, talents, ideas and experiences that allows an organisation to develop better products and improve customer service, because there is a better understanding of the demographics of the marketplace
It is hoped that employees with diverse backgrounds (e.g. indigenous) will be able to better meet the needs of the public they serve (e.g. rural communities)
As many organisations operate in global markets diversity is even more important because a diverse organisation can relate to a greater range of customers both in Australia and globally
What are conditions of employment
What an employer has agreed to give an employee in return for the employees work
Basic conditions of employment include
The number of hours an employee is expected to work
Annual leave entitlements and other entitlements such as sick leave and long service leave
Public holidays the employee may be entitled to
Other entitlements such as redundancy pay
Some organisations go beyond the basic conditions of employment to satisfy employee’s needs e.g. long maternity leave, flexible work conditions (job sharing / work from home arrangements
