Theme 2- Making Human Resource Decisions Flashcards
Hierarchal structure
Long chain of command
Makes the business easier to control and provide opportunities for promotion
Can be costly and slows down communication
Flat structure
Few levels of management
Wide span of control
Improved the businesses flexibility
lines of authority are not always clear
Organisation charts
Shows a business’ s organisational structure
Line managers
Can pass on authority to their subordinates throng delegation
Centralised decisions
Made by senior managers
Increased control and standardisation
Decisions can be slow
Decentralised decision
Delegated to regional employees at local stores and branches
Delegated to divisions that may know their customers better
Loss of control
Why would a business downsize or delayed
Reduce costs
Improve efficiency
Improve communication
Why is good communication important
Ensures the businesses vision, mission and objectives are clear
Ensures that customers are able to understand products and services
Ensures employees feel motivated as they understand their role within the business
For communication to be effective…
The sender has to choose an appropriate medium to reach the reciever
Feedback should also be available to ensure the communication has been successful
What does poor communication impact
Employee motivation
Customer service
Number of mistakes made
Barriers to effective communication
Using inappropriate mediums or email system failure
Being angry or tired
Cultural differences
Jargon- this depends on the skill or knowledge of the sender or receiver
Too much/little info
What is jargon
special words or expressions used by a profession or group that are difficult for others to understand.
Formal communication
Approved by organisation
Follows set rules of communication used within a business
Informal communication
Also used in business
Can get in the way of effective communication
Gossip, grapevine
Information overload
Reduced motivation and efficiency
Managers must ensure communication is controlled and organised effectively to ensure this doesn’t happen
Types of worker
Full time
Flexible hours
Permanent contract
Temporary contract
Freelance contract
Part time hours
Flexible working advantages and disadvantages
Business has more control over costs
Can increase or lose capacity when it needs
Employees might not be committed to the business if they don’t have long term security
Impact of technology on ways of working
Remote working- flexible
Video conferencing- more efficient as it saves time + travel money
Management info systems
What are directors responsible for
Overall business performance
Business target setting and strategy formation
What are senior managers responsible forr
Management and leadership of key business functions
What are supervisors and team leaders responsible for
Leading a team of workers
Performance management
Providing training, support and motivation
What are operational staff responsible for
Carrying out the key operations of a business
What are support staff responsible for
Providing services that support the main function of a business
Recruitment process
Drawing up recruitment documents
Recieve applications
Shortlisting
Selection
Training
What is used to shortlist candidates
Application forms
CV
Job descriptions
Personal specifications
What is the role at the top of the business
Managing director or CEO (chief executive officer)
What does a job description include
Job title
Who the person is responsible to
Who the person is responsible for
Key duties
Wage/salary
What does a person specification include
Descriptions of characteristics (split into 2), qualifications, experience and skills needed to meet the needs of the job
Essential characteristics
Desirable characteristics
What does a CV include
Education and qualifications
Skills and experience
References from current or previous employers
Internal recruitment
Promoting an employee who currently works for the business to a new role
Fast and easy to advertise vacancy
Chapter than external advertising
ProMotion opportunities motivate employees
External recruitment
Recruiting someone who doesn’t already work for the business
More potential applicants
New ideas and skills brought into business
Suitable if business is growing and needs more employees
Formal training
May offer formal credentials of qualifications
May be provided by external companies who are subject or industry specialist
Can be expensive and time consuming
May require employees to stop working while training, low productivity
Informal training ‘on the job’
Cheaper and less time consuming
Gives ‘hands on’ experience to employees
Could be stressful if they have to work without the skills they haven’t yet learnt
Employees may have to take responsibility for seeking or providing training
Performance management
Setting targets for personal development and performance
Agreeing these targets with their line manager
Can be used to support internal promotion + pay progression
Takes place several times a year
The importance of training employee
Skills
Retention
Motivation
Skills
Training employees will improve their skills and value to business
Having most skilled employees gives business competitive advantage over rivals
Motivation
As employees improve skills and knowledge, their confidence will also improve
This leads to highly motivated and happy workforce
Retention
Investing money in training employees shows that the business values employees
Means they are less likely to leave to find a job elsewhere
Improves business retention rates
Technology and training
Enables employees to use computer simulations (pilots and surgeons, low risk but good experience)
Training can be more flexible and accessed through webinars and online courses
Employees need to be retrained whenever new tech is introduced, expensive and lowers productivity
What can motivation lead to
Create hard working snd flexible workforce willing to go the extra mile for the company
Improve customer service
Improves employee commitment to the business
Financial methods of motivation (remuneration)
Time based systems
Salries
Result based systems
Fringe benefits
Career progression
Important to use the right one for diff roles, otherwise waste of money
Time based systems
Wages for part time or full time workers
Overtime
Salaries
For non manual jobs
For professional workers
Results based systems
Piece rate
Commission (good for sales based jobs)
Bonus scheme
Fringe benefits
Company car
Healthcare
Pension schemes
Company discounts
Career progression
Promotion
How important is money
Main motivator, but lots of other factors come in to play (Maslow hierarchy of needs)
Good personal relationships at work is also a motivating factor
Non financial methods of motivation
Job rotation
Teamworking
Job enrichment
Employee reward scheme
Job rotation
Gives opportunities for employees to work in other areas of the business
Experience and skills development
Job enrichment
Develops employees skills by giving them opportunities to lead, make decisions and take new responsibilities
Employee reward scheme
Recognises employees’ performance and contribution thru schemes
Employee of the week type thing
Teamworking
Allows employees to develop social bonds thru being part of a team
Autonomy
Being empowered to make ur own decisions
Employees are often motivated when they can make their own choices about the best way to work and achieve their goal
