Unit 4 : human recourses Flashcards
What is Human Resource Management?
Organising the people employed by a business to achieve their aims.
What tasks does the HR department do?
Sets the organisational structure, recruits, trains and motivates staff.
What is the span of control?
The number of people a line manager is in charge of.
What is chain of command?
The way in which responsibility is passed down the layers in the hierarchy.
What is a tall structure?
Organising a business into small teams (narrow span of control) and many layers.
What are the cons of a tall structure?
Cost of wages, lack of freedom for workers, top to bottom communication poor.
What are the pros of a tall structure?
Supervision / support, promotions, good manager to subordinate communication.
What is a flat hierarchy?
Organising a business into large teams (wide span of control) and few layers.
What are the pros of a flat structure?
Less management oversight = freedom / creativity, top to bottom communication.
What are the cons of a flat structure?
Lack of management control / consistency, less support for workers.
What is centralisation?
The top managers in an organisation make the strategic decisions.
What is decentralisation?
When junior managers / subordinates are empowered to make strategic decisions.
What is delayering?
Removing a layer of management leading to a flatter structure.
What is delegation?
Giving a subordinate the responsibility for completing a specific task.
What are the main job roles in a business?
Directors, managers, supervisors, operators.
What is the recruitment process?
Job analysis > job description / person spec > advertise > shortlist > selection tests.
What is a job analysis?
Gathering and analysing information about the activities that a job role will involve.
What are selection tests?
Methods used during the recruitment process to assess the skills of a candidate.
Differentiate between full time and part time workers.
Full time workers = >35 hours per week, part time workers = <30 hours per week.
What is a zero – hours contract?
When someone is employed but no set working hours are agreed in their contract.
What is on the job training?
Training provided by the business whilst the employee is doing their job role.
What are the pros of on the job training?
Specific to employee needs, employee is productive, cost efficient for business.
What is off the job training?
Training provided from organisations outside the business (usually experts).
What are the pros of off the job training?
Given by experts, brings in new ideas, employees can earn qualifications.
