Human resource management 2.1

Question 1

Define the term “Human resource management” (HRM)

Answer 1

The strategic approach to the effective management of an organization’s workers so that they help the business gain a competitive advantage.

Question 2

Define the term “Recruitment”

Answer 2

The process of identifying the need for a new employee, defining the job to be filled and the type of person needed to fill it and attracting suitable candidates for the job.

Question 3

Define the term “Selection”

Answer 3

Steps to interview, test, and choose the most suitable person for a job.

Question 4

Define the term “Job description”

Answer 4

A detailed list of the qualities and qualifications that a successful applicant will need to have.

Question 5

What is the purpose and role of a HRM?

Answer 5

• Workforce planning
• Recruitment and selection
• Developing employees
• Employment contracts
• Ensuring HRM operates across the business
• Employee morale and welfare
• Incentive systems

Question 6

What are the steps for recruiting and selecting staff?

Answer 6

1. Establishing the exact nature of the job vacancy and drawing up a job description.
2. Drawing up a person specification.
3. Preparing job advertisement.
4. Drawing up a shortlist of applicants.
5. Selecting between the applicants.

Question 7

What must a job description include?

Answer 7

• Job title
• Details of the tasks to be performed
• Responsibilities involved
• Place in the hierarchical structure
• Working conditions
• How the job will be assessed and performance measured

Question 8

Define the term “Internal recruitment”

Answer 8

The process of filling a vacancy in a business by promoting an existing employee applicant.

Question 9

Define the term “External recruitment”

Answer 9

The process of filling a vacancy in a business by recruiting an outside applicant.

Question 10

List 5 Advantages of internal recruitment.

Answer 10

Answers may include :
- Applicants may already be known to the selection team.
- Applicants will already know the organization and its internal methods - no need for induction training.
- Culture of the organization will be well understood by the applicants.
- Often quicker than external recruitment.
- Likely to be cheaper than using external advertising and recruitment agencies.
- Gives internal staff a career structure and chances to progress.

Question 11

List 3 Disadvantages of internal recruitment.

Answer 11

1. No new ideas to benefit from.
2. Limited number of candidates to chose from.
3. Jealousy make take place between employees which will decrease their productivity.

Question 12

List 3 Advantages of external recruitment.

Answer 12

Answers may include :
- External applicants will bring new ideas and practices to the business.
- Wide choice of potential applicants.
- Avoids resentment sometimes felt by existing staff.
- Standards of applicants could be higher in comparison to the internal applicants.

Question 13

Define the term “Labor turnover”

Answer 13

Measure the rate of which employees are leaving an organization.

Question 14

How can one measure the labor turnover of an organization?

Answer 14

No. of employees leaving in 1 year / avg. no. of people employed X100

Question 15

Define the term “Employment contract”

Answer 15

A legal document that sets out the terms and conditions governing a workers job.

Question 16

What are the costs of high labor turnover?

Answer 16

1. Cost of recruiting, selecting, and training new staff.
2. Poor output levels and customer service due to staff vacancies before new recruits are appointed.
3. Difficult to establish team spirit.

Question 17

What are the potential benefits of high labor turnover?

Answer 17

1. Low-skilled employees and less productive employees may be leaving.
2. New ideas and practices are brought into an organization by new workers.
3. A business that plans to reduce staff numbers anyways due to rationalization.

Question 18

Define the term “Training”

Answer 18

Work related education to increase workforce skills and efficiency.

Question 19

What are the three types of training?

Answer 19

• Induction training
• On the job training
• Off the job training

Question 20

Define the term “Induction training”

Answer 20

Introductory training program to familiarize a new recruit with the systems used in the business and the layout of the business site.

Question 21

Define the term “On the job training”

Answer 21

Instruction at the work place on how a job should be carried out.

Question 22

Define the term “Off the job training”

Answer 22

All training undertaken away from the business.

Question 23

List 2 Advantages of induction training.

Answer 23

1. It is a legal requirement so it should be conducted to avoid being fined
2. Employees will do less errors.

Question 24

List 3 Disadvantages of induction training.

Answer 24

1. Employees are getting paid without contributing to output.
2. Delays when an employee starts the job.
3. Increase cost.

Question 25

List 3 Advantages of On the job training.

Answer 25

1. Some output produced while training.
2. Lower cost than off the job training.
3. Training is specifically related to the business’s needs.

Question 26

List 3 Disadvantages of On the job training.

Answer 26

1. The output for trainer will decrease when training the new employees
2. Trainer might pass bad habits to new employees.
3. Employees might make errors while learning.

Question 27

What is the advantage of Off the job training?

Answer 27

Access to recent ways of operation/data provided by experts.

Question 28

List 2 Disadvantages of Off the job training?

Answer 28

1. More costly than on the job training
2. Might not be specifically related to the business’s needs.

Question 29

Define the term “Employee appraisal”

Answer 29

The process of assessing the effectiveness of an employee judged against pre-set objectives.

Question 30

Define the term “Dismissal”

Answer 30

Being dismissed from a job due to incompetence or breach of discipline.

Question 31

Define the term “Unfair dismissal”

Answer 31

Ending a worker’s employment contract for a reason that the law regards as being unfair.

Question 32

Define the term “Redundancy”

Answer 32

When a job is no longer required, the employee performing this job becomes unnecessary through no fault of their own.

Question 33

Define the term “Work-life balance”

Answer 33

A situation in which employees are able to give right amount of time and effort to work and their personal life outside of work.

Question 34

Define the term “Equality policy”

Answer 34

Practices and processes aimed at achieving a fair organization where everyone is treated fairly in the same way.

Question 35

Define the term “Diversity policy”

Answer 35

Practices and processes aimed at creating a mixed workforce and placing positive value on diversity in the workplace.

Question 36

Define the term “Staff morale”

Answer 36

The term staff morale refers to the level of confidence and enthusiasm that employees feel towards their place of work employers.

Question 37

Define the term “Staff Welfare”

Answer 37

The term staff welfare refers to the health and happiness of employees.