Human Resources

Question 1

Role of the HR Department

Answer 1

Recruit and select staff, training staff, motivating and retaining staff, legislation including equality act

Question 2

Workforce Planning

Answer 2

Workforce planning ensures a company has correct employees in right place at right time to meet objectives.

Question 3

Aims of Workforce Planning

Answer 3

Identify tasks needing to be carried out, recruiting and training staff to meet these needs, estimating staff required in the future, monitoring changes in labour market.

Question 4

Advantages of Internal Recruitment

Answer 4

Vacancy filled quickly, skills and reliability of candidate already known, employee feels valued and motivated, save advertising costs, candidate knows company and values.

Question 5

Disadvantages of Internal Recruitment

Answer 5

May not be staff available with skills, can’t gain new skills and ideas, another vacancy would appear, may cause conflict.

Question 6

Advantages of External Recruitment

Answer 6

New ideas brought into organisation, external recruitment may attract large number, vacancies filled quickly, potential conflict avoided.

Question 7

Disadvantages of External Recruitment

Answer 7

candidates not known in terms of attendance etc, existing employees may feel devalued, advertising expensive, External candidate doesn’t know procedures.

Question 8

Methods of Selection: one to one Interview

Answer 8

One to one; interviewer interviews a small list of applicants. One person solely responsible for selection, may be biased or wrong choice.

Question 9

Methods of Selection: successive interview

Answer 9

Several interviewers interview each applicant seperately, applicant must interviewed more than one. Avoids bias.

Question 10

Methods of Selection: panel interviews

Answer 10

One applicant is interviewed by several people at once, each person asks questions, compares notes on candidate.

Question 11

Methods of Testing

Answer 11

Psychometric test (personality), aptitude test (numeracy and literacy), intelligence test (mental capability), medical test, attainment test (find specific skills like ICT).

Question 12

Assessment Centres

Answer 12

Take place over a couple of days with applicants doing a variety of work related tasks, such as team working etc. Organisation can assess variety of skills. However, it’s expensive, requires significant preparation and need facilities.

Question 13

What is CPD?

Answer 13

Continuous professional development

Question 14

Advantages of Virtual Learning Environments

Answer 14

Can access material any time, large number of people can access, can be easily updated, save printing costs, interactive learning.

Question 15

Disadvantages of Virtual Learning Environments

Answer 15

People must take ownership of Learning, may prefer face to face contact, expensive to set up.

Question 16

Advantages of Work Based Qualifications

Answer 16

A recognised qualification may be gained to motivate staff, may help employee gain promotion, organisation benefits from skilled staff.

Question 17

Disadvantages of Work Based Qualifications

Answer 17

Time consuming to complete, may not want to do it, expensive to fund.

Question 18

Motivation Strategies

Answer 18

Provide fair pay, give responsibility, avoid temporary contracts, provide CPD opportunities, bonus incentives, open door policy, empowerment.

Question 19

Maslows Hierarchy of Needs

Answer 19

Physiological Needs (water, food) Safety and Security Needs (health, employment, property), Love and Belongingness (family, intimacy, friends), Self Esteem (confidence and achievements), Self Actualisation (morality, creativity, purpose).

Question 20

Adam’s Equity Theory

Answer 20

When inputs are matched by outputs - rewards given for hard work, staff are generally satisfied. It’s about balance.

Question 21

McGregor’s X and Y Theories

Answer 21

Theory X is that employees care only about money and don’t care so are dictated to. Theory Y is that work provides achievement and satisfaction so leader provides opportunity and empowerment by delegating.

Question 22

Iowa Leadership Studies; 3 types of leaders.

Answer 22

Autocratic (makes all decisions and uses fear of punishment). Democratic (involves employee in decisions). Laissez-Faire (no control, left to get on).

Question 23

Benefits of good employee relations

Answer 23

Staff turnover decreases (saving recruitment costs). Staff absence will decrease (increasing productivity). Staff will be more motivated, proving better service. Staff more willing to adapt to change.

Question 24

Methods of Promoting Good Employee Relations

Answer 24

Provide financial and on financial incentives, work with trade unions, create works councils (like Quality
Circles).

Question 25

Industrial Action

Answer 25

If employees are unhappy they make take industrial action which is decided by the trade union. This can be a strike, go slow or work to rule. But doesn’t always resolve situation.

Question 26

Redundancy

Answer 26

This is when organisation pays off employees because the job is no longer required. Not same as a firing. Strict procedures to follow.

Question 27

Grievances

Answer 27

A grievance is when an employee takes out a complaint to employer about a work related issue. Organisations will have procedure in place when making this. As last resort, can go to an industrial tribunal.

Question 28

Contemporary Working Practices (Changes)

Answer 28

Increase in tertiary and quaternary work, more part time and temporary contracts, more women in work and managerial positions, more working from home, more self employed.

Question 29

Appraisals

Answer 29

An appraisal is an annual meeting between employee and employer to evaluate performance.

Question 30

Benefits of an Appraisal

Answer 30

Praise given for performance can be motivating, training needs can be identified, performance targets can be decided.

Question 31

Disadvantages of an Appraisal

Answer 31

Some don’t take seriously, can be demotivating if negative, time consuming and takes away from duties.

Question 32

Methods of Appraisal

Answer 32

Peer to peer, 360, informal.

Question 33

The Equality Act

Answer 33

Prevents discrimination on the grounds of race, gender, sexual orientation, age, disability, religion and pregnancy. Applies to public too.

Question 34

Why do managers need to be aware of equality act

Answer 34

The manager has a duty to investigate and take action if discriminated against. Managers must be careful when advertising. Barriers to access must be dealt with. Policies must be created to ensure all employees are aware.

Question 35

employment rights act 1996

Answer 35

Employees are entitled to; a written statement of terms and conditions, an itemised payslip, not to be unfairly dismissed, a policy for dismissal procedures, redundancy pay.