Unit 6 (Human Resources)

Question 1

What is employee engagement?

Answer 1

The involvement and enthusiasm of both their work and workplace

Question 2

What is the benefit of employee engagement?

Answer 2

If employees are more engaged and involved in their working life they will be more motivated and labour productivity rates will rise

Question 3

What theory can be applied to employee engagement?

Answer 3

Kaizen

Question 4

What is talent development?

Answer 4

The development of star employees who have the potential to make a major contribution to the success of the business

Question 5

What is the benefit of talent development?

Answer 5

A business strategy will help business be more competitive and more profitable

Question 6

What is training?

Answer 6

The process by which an employee can gain skills and knowledge relating to their job ro working environment

Question 7

What is the benefit of training?

Answer 7

helps improve quality levels and heath and safety in the workplace

Question 8

What is some context to use when talking about training?

Answer 8

Aldi - offers training from day one and wants to recruit the right people

Question 9

What is diversity?

Answer 9

Recognising that all employees are unique individuals and creating all inclusive environment which values diversity

Question 10

What is the benefit of diversity?

Answer 10

Business opting for more diverse employees to get competitive advantage over their rivals

Question 11

What is some diversity context?

Answer 11

Starbucks embraces diversity. 71% of staff are female and 50% are from ethnic minority groups.

Question 12

What is meant by alignment of employee and employer values?

Answer 12

• Value alignments means making sure that the employees and the management have the same set of values and are working towards the same goals and objectives.
• Mission statements help employees to be clear about what their priorities are.

Question 13

What is meant by a soft HRM approach?

Answer 13

• Business aims to develop skills, hobbies and interests of their employees through training
• Managers are there to facilitate, guide and coach the employees
• links with Laissez-Faire style of leadership

Question 14

What is a benefit of adopting a soft HRM approach?

Answer 14

High employee engagement and motivation, higher staff retention and lower absenteeism.

Question 15

What is meant by a hard HRM approach?

Answer 15

• Sees employees as a cost and not an asset (just an input to the production process)
• Managers are the ones who do the thinking, autocratic leadership style
• Minimises costs and gives managers more control over operations

Question 16

What are some benefits of adopting a hard HRM approach?

Answer 16

• High control. The emphasis on monitoring staff and giving managers greater powers can lead to better visibility over your company, ensuring you know exactly what’s happening.
• The focus on cost control can support business efficiencies, as can faster decision making.

Question 17

What are some drawbacks of adopting a hard HRM approach?

Answer 17

Poor employee relations: The transactional nature of hard HRM can strain employee-employer relationships. When employees feel like cogs in the machine, employee morale and job satisfaction can suffer, leading to increased turnover and a negative impact on your company culture.

Question 18

What are some drawbacks of adopting a soft HRM approach?

Answer 18

• Cost concerns: Offering higher pay, training, flexible schedules and perks may challenge your company financially.
• Potential for reduced accountability: Focusing too much on how you treat employees in soft HRM could make employees feel less accountable for bad performance.

Question 19

What is Herzberg’s motivation theory?

Answer 19

Hygiene-motivation factor theory

Question 20

What does the hygiene factor from Herzberg’s motivation theory consist of?

Answer 20

Safer conditions (hygiene factors)
- Herzberg states that a business should offer hygiene factors such as safe working conditions, pay, relationships, and clear policies.
–> Offering hygiene factors will not motivate employees but will stop them from becoming demotivated.

Question 21

What does the motivation factor from Herzberg’s motivation theory consist of?

Answer 21

Herzberg states that a business should offer motivation factors such as opportunities for recognition, achievement and responsibility.
- According to Herzberg, offering motivating factors will motivate employees

Question 22

What is some advantages of Herzberg’s theory?

Answer 22

• Offers businesses a structured approach to try and improve employee motivation
• Can lower staff turnover rate if motivation is increase

Question 23

What is the disadvantage of Herzberg’s theory?

Answer 23

Assumes that employees will place the same importance on each of the hygiene and motivating factors as Herzberg did and this may not apply to all staff.

Question 24

What is Maslow’s theory on motivation?

Answer 24

The hierarchy of needs

Question 25

What is meant by Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 25

Maslow’s hierarchy of needs provides five categories of needs which a business needs to cater to if its employees are to be as engages and motivated as possible.

Question 26

What are the 5 levels of Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 26

Self actualisation
Esteem needs
Belongingness
Safety needs
Psychological needs

Question 27

What is meant by self actualisation in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 27

Occurs when a business gives employees the opportunity to meet their full potential through achievement, responsibility and the development of new skills and knowledge.

Question 28

What is meant by esteem in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 28

Esteem needs are address when a business gives employees access to opportunities for promotion and through recognizing and celebrating successes. (could boost their esteem)

Question 29

What is meant by belongingness and love in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 29

When a business gives employees opportunities to build relationships through teamwork and social interaction. (could be done through social events)

Question 30

What is meant by safety and psychological needs in Maslow’s hierarchy of needs?

Answer 30

When a business offers job security and a safe working environment.
- Psychological needs are met when a business offers pay so employees are able to purchase food and accommodation.

Question 31

What are the pros and cons of Maslow’s hierarchy?

Answer 31

PROS:
- Offers a structured approach to improve motivation.
CONS:
- Assumes employees will place the same importance on each of their needs as order within the hierarchy and this may not apply to all staff

Question 32

What is Taylor’s theory on motivation?

Answer 32

Piece-rate pay

Question 33

What is Taylor’s theory on motivation about?

Answer 33

To motivate employees they should be paid base on the amount of output they have produced.

Question 34

What is Taylor’s motivation theory approach?

Answer 34

Taylor called his approach piece rate pay and found that if employees were paid more for being more productive, they would become more motivated and engage with their job as there was an opportunity for employees to increase the amount they earnt.

Question 35

What is an advantage to Taylor’s theory?

Answer 35

May improve productivity which means a business can reduce its costs by employing fewer employees.

Question 36

What is some disadvantages of Taylor’s theory?

Answer 36

• Employees may rush during the production process leading to mistakes and errors.
• Employees may become bored with completing the same tasks over and over again.