Human Resource Management

Question 1

What is HRM

Answer 1

Human resource management (HRM) is the process of making the most efficient use of an organisation’s employees.

Question 2

Define delayering

Answer 2

Delayering is a reduction in the number of levels of
hierarchy within an organisational structure.

Question 3

What is teamworking?

Answer 3

Teamworking is the process of breaking down production into large units and using groups of employees to complete these tasks.

Question 4

What is a workforce/human resource plan?

Answer 4

A workforce (or human resource) plan assesses the current workforce and actions necessary to meet the business’ future labour needs.

Question 5

Define Labour turnover

Answer 5

Labour turnover is the percentage of a business’ workforce that leaves a business over a given period of time (usually one year)

Question 6

What is recruitment and selection?

Answer 6

Recruitment and selection is the process of filling an
organisation’s job vacancies by appointing new staff.

Question 7

What are job descriptions?

Answer 7

Job descriptions list the duties and responsibilities associated with a particular job.

Question 8

What are person (or job) specifications?

Answer 8

Person (or job) specifications outline the skills, knowledge and experience necessary to fill a given position successfully.

Question 9

What is an employment contract?

Answer 9

An employment contract is a legal agreement between an employer and an employee setting forth the terms and conditions of the employment arrangement.

Question 10

What is a business culture

Answer 10

A business culture is the attitudes, values and beliefs that normally exist within an organisation.

Question 11

What is a dismissal?

Answer 11

A dismissal occurs when an employer terminates the
employee’s contract.

Question 12

What are redundancies?

Answer 12

Redundancies take place when an employee is dismissed because a job no longer exists.

Question 13

Define employee welfare

Answer 13

Employee welfare is a broad term covering a wide range of facilities that are essential for the well-being of a business’ employees.

Question 14

What is employee morale?

Answer 14

Employee morale is the satisfaction felt by employees within the workplace.

Question 15

What is a work-life balance?

Answer 15

Work–life balance refers to the obligations placed on employees by employers that determine the amount of time that employees spend on work-related activities.

Question 16

Define diversity

Answer 16

Diversity, in an employment context, refers to recognising the differences between individual employees and also the differences that may exist between groups of employees.

Question 17

Define equality

Answer 17

Equality is the circumstance in which all people are equal, particularly in relation to rights and opportunities in the workplace.

Question 18

What is training?

Answer 18

Training is a process whereby an individual acquires job- related skills and knowledge.

Question 19

What is development?

Answer 19

Development refers to activities designed to increase employees’ skills, education, knowledge and abilities in the workplace.

Question 20

Define delegation

Answer 20

Delegation means passing authority down the organisational hierarchy. This is only genuine if the manager relinquishes some control to the subordinate.

Question 21

What is a trade union?

Answer 21

A trade union is an organisation of workers established to protect and improve the economic position and working conditions of its members.

Question 22

What is collective bargaining?

Answer 22

Collective bargaining is negotiation between employers and representatives of employees, normally trade union officials.

Question 23

Define motivation

Answer 23

Motivation describes the factors that arouse, maintain and
channel behaviour towards a goal.

Question 24

Define absenteeism

Answer 24

Absenteeism describes a situation in which an employee is absent from work without a good reason.

Question 25

What are human needs?

Answer 25

Human needs can be defined as the elements required for survival and good mental and physical health.

Question 26

What is piece-rate?

Answer 26

Piece-rate is a system whereby employees are paid according to the quantity of a product they produce.

Question 27

Define division of labor

Answer 27

Division of labour is the breaking down of production into a series of small tasks, carried out repetitively by relatively unskilled employees.

Question 28

What is the hierarchy of needs?

Answer 28

The hierarchy of needs is a theory that employees have successive requirements that can be fulfilled through work.

Question 29

What are hygiene factors?

Answer 29

Hygiene factors (also called maintenance factors) are a group of influences that may result in employee dissatisfaction at work.

Question 30

What are motivators?

Answer 30

Motivators are a series of factors, such as promotion, that may have positive influences on employee performance at work.

Question 31

What is meant by ‘performance related pay’?

Answer 31

Performance-related pay (PRP) exists where some
part of an employee’s pay is linked to the achievement of targets at work. These targets might include sales figures or achieving certain grades in an annual appraisal.

Question 32

What is variable pay?

Answer 32

Variable pay is a reward for working that is based on employee performance or results judged against some targets.

Question 33

What are fringe benefits?

Answer 33

Fringe benefits (or perks) are those extras an employee
receives as part of their reward package.

Question 34

Define job redesign

Answer 34

Job redesign means changing the group of tasks or duties which make up a specific job.

Question 35

What is job enrichment?

Answer 35

Job enrichment occurs when employees’ jobs are redesigned to provide them with more challenging and complex tasks. Also called vertical loading.

Question 36

What is job enlargement?

Answer 36

Job enlargement is giving employees more duties of a similar level of complexity. Also called horizontal loading.

Question 37

What is job rotation

Answer 37

Job rotation is the regular switching of employees between tasks of a similar degree of complexity.

Question 38

Define empowerment

Answer 38

Empowerment is a series of actions designed to give employees greater control over their working lives.

Question 39

What is employee participation?

Answer 39

Employee participation is the involvement of employees in the process of decision-making within a business.

Question 40

Define leadership

Answer 40

Leadership includes the functions of ruling, guiding and inspiring other people within an organisation in pursuit of agreed objectives.

Question 41

What is management

Answer 41

Management is planning, organising, directing and controlling all or part of a business enterprise.

Question 42

What is autocratic management?

Answer 42

Autocratic management exists when managers keep control of information and make major decisions alone. Sometimes known as authoritarian management.

Question 43

What is paternalistic management?

Answer 43

Paternalistic management is a style in which managers take decisions in what they believe are the best interests of their subordinates.

Question 44

What is democratic management?

Answer 44

Democratic management occurs when information is shared and team members participate in decision-making. Sometimes known as participative management.

Question 45

What is laissez-faire management?

Answer 45

Laissez-faire management takes place when managers allow subordinates freedom to make their own decisions.