Workforce Planning

Question 1

What is human resource management (HRM)?

Answer 1

Part of an organisation’s activities designed to recruit, train, develop and maintain an effective workforce

Question 2

What is a facilitator?

Answer 2

Provides training to other members of staff in the organisation

Question 3

What is the auditor?

Answer 3

Will monitor how other departments and employees within these departments are following HR policies and procedures

Question 4

What is consultancy?

Answer 4

Will provide information and guidance on HR matters to departmental heads or team leaders

Question 5

What is executive?

Answer 5

Seen as the “expert” in matters relating to HRM and makes decisions about what should be done in this area

Question 6

What is service?

Answer 6

Will ensure that all managers and staff are kept up to date with changes in HR information, policies and law

Question 7

What do staff normally undertake in the HRM department?

Answer 7

• recruitment and selection
• training and development
• motivation and leadership
• employee legislation
• employee relations
• HR planning

Question 8

What does Human Resource Planning (HRP) involve?

Answer 8

• analysing past information
• analysing trends
• forecasting staff turnover and business growth

Question 9

When filling vacancies, the HR department must consider what factors?

Answer 9

• if there are any existing employees that have the required skills to fill vacancies
• rate of unemployment in the area
• infrastructure in the area
• what incentives the government will offer (eg to cover training)
• any local colleges/uni’s nearby to provide training facilities
• competitors
• will new employees mix well with existing employees
• what is the business’ external environmental (eg recession)

Question 10

What patterns in employment have seen an increase?

Answer 10

• flexible working practices
• women in the workplace
• self employment
• self employment
• age of workforce
• tertiary workforce

Question 11

What is the modern workforce made up of?

Answer 11

• core workers
• contractual
• the flexible labour force

Question 12

What are core workers?

Answer 12

Essential workers- managers, skilled workers- permanent and well paid

Question 13

What is contractual?

Answer 13

Sub-contractors - suppliers of components or services- no pensions or holidays

Question 14

What is the flexible labour force?

Answer 14

Part time, temporary- assist core workers at peak times- low rates of pay

Question 15

What are the advantages of the modern workforce/ recent trends?

Answer 15

• core employees can focus on key tasks
• reduces salaries and required space
• reduced liability for pensions, holidays or redundancy
• increased flexibility (seasonal demand, peak times, large orders)

Question 16

What are the disadvantages of the modern workforce/ recent trends?

Answer 16

• frequent recruitment and selection
• occasional staff shortages
• leas commitment from staff
• increased need for training
• lack of continuity

Question 17

What are flexible working practices?

Answer 17

Flexible working is a way of working that sits an employee’s needs (eg having flexible starting and finishing times or working from home)

Question 18

What does flexible working practices offer?

Answer 18

• flexitime
• flexiplace
• compressed work week
• job sharing
• work sharing
• phased retirement
• work and family programmes

Question 19

What are the advantages of Flexible Working Practices?

Answer 19

• improved morale
• reduced absenteeism and tardiness
• easier to recruit
• reduced staff turnover
• extended hours of operation
• improves standard of work

Question 20

What are the disadvantages of Flexible Working Practices?

Answer 20

• heating and lighting costs
• availability of staff
• difficult to record hours
• teamwork difficult