HR

Question 1

What is HR?

Answer 1

Human Resources
Responsible for use of labour
Human resource management (HRM) views activities relating to the workforce as vital to the businesses success

Question 2

Define HR objectives

Answer 2

HR objectives are the goals or targets that a business’s HR department seeks to achieve. The achievement of these targets should assist the business in attaining its overall corporate objectives.

Question 3

Typical HR objectives are?

Answer 3

Diversity - may have equality alongside this, there is legislation to protect employees from direct and indirect discrimination, harassment and victimisation
Amount employees produce - weekly
Quality of their work - as per customer feedback ratings

Question 4

Define Employee engagement

Answer 4

‘Being positively present during the performance of work by willingly contributing intellectual effort, experiencing positive emotions and meaningful connections to others’ According to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD)

Question 5

What are the 3 dimensions to employee engagement?

Answer 5

Intellectual engagement - thinking hard about the job and how to do it better
Affective engagement - feeling positively about doing a good job
Social engagement - actively taking opportunities to discuss work related improvement with others at work

Question 6

How can be Employee engagement achieved?

Answer 6

Considering employees ideas and opinions

Employee representatives

Question 7

What is the ‘Hard’ HR approach?

Answer 7

Treating employees as resource to be used optimally (looking to reduce costs - 0 hour contracts)

Question 8

What is the ‘Soft’ HR approach?

Answer 8

Employees are the most valuable asset in a business and they should develop; and maximise their value

Question 9

What is the timescale on ‘Hard’ HR approach?

Answer 9

Short

Question 10

What are the key features of a ‘Hard’ HR approach?

Answer 10

• Employees paid as little as possible
• Employees have no control
• Employees are given a judgemental appraisal

Question 11

What is the timescale on ‘Soft’ HR approach?

Answer 11

Long

Question 12

What are the key features of a ‘Soft’ HR approach?

Answer 12

• Employees paid well
• Employees have control
• Employees are given a developmental appraisal

Question 13

5 external influences on HR

Answer 13

Political
Economic
Social
Technological
Competitive