2.1

Question 1

HRM

Answer 1

Strategic approach to the effective management on an organization so workers help business gain competitve advantage.

Question 2

Workforce plan

Answer 2

Forecasting the number of workers and skills required by organization to achieve its objectives

Question 3

Advantages of workforce plan (4)

Answer 3

1. identify existing skills
2. Help in training activities
3. Prevents over or under hiring
4. Assists to meet objectives and respond to needs

Question 4

Disadvantages of workforce plan (3)

Answer 4

1. Based on forecast - not accurate
2. Skilled managers to accurately forecast trend - more cost
3. Does not take factors like motivation and external change in account

Question 5

Labor turnover

Answer 5

Rate at which employees leave an organization at a certain time period. Lower labor turnover rate is better for the business

Question 6

Labor turnover formula

Answer 6

number of employees left in one year/ total number of employees x100

Question 7

Advantages of labor turn over (2)

Answer 7

1. New staff is more skilled
2. Replace with capital - lower labor cost

Question 8

Disadvantages of labor turn over (2)

Answer 8

1. Cost of hiring - recruiting selecting and training
2. Poor output level - less staff

Question 9

Recruitment

Answer 9

Regarded as the process that identifies the need for a new employees, defines the job, draws up a profile of an ideal candidate for the job and advertises it to attract suitable candidates

Question 10

Internal recruitment

Answer 10

Firm advertises within business premises to fill new or vacant positions. Often done through notice boards or company emails

Question 11

Advantages of Internal recruitment (3)

Answer 11

1. no need for training
2. Motivational tool
3. Quicker and cheaper

Question 12

Disadvantages of internal requirement (3)

Answer 12

1. Atmosphere of resentment
2. No new ideas
3. Narrow choice of potential

Question 13

External recruitment

Answer 13

When firms advertise position outside the business premise for example in universities, newspapers, career websites

Question 14

Advantages of external recruitment (3)

Answer 14

1. Brings in new ideas
2. Wide choice of potential
3. Avoids resentment

Question 15

Disadvantages of external recruitment (3)

Answer 15

1. Time consuming and costly
2. Damage employee morale - current employees wanted position
3. Need training

Question 16

Selection

Answer 16

Process in which candidates are shortlisted and screened and the most suitable ones are chosen

Question 17

Selection Techniques (3)

Answer 17

1. Interview - face to face, two-way communication, some might be good at talking but not work and vice versa
2. Psychometric tests - Assess personality traits, not accurate
3. Assessment Centers - Variety of selection techniques, more efficient, more expensive and time consuming

Question 18

Employment Documents (4)

Answer 18

1. Job advertisement
2. Job descriptions
3. Person specification
4. Contact of employment

Question 19

Job advertisement

Answer 19

Advert that contains sufficient information to attract and engage potential employees. It is advertised in newspaper, internet or magazines depending on the type of job.

Question 20

Job Description

Answer 20

This is a detailed list of key points about the job to be filled. It contains all the relevant details about the job from the title to the tasks and responsibility. This helps both the employer and the employee.

Question 21

Person Specifcation

Answer 21

List of skills qualities and qualifications that an applicant’s needs to have for a specific job. Example: good communication skills, bachelor’s degree and extrovert personality for a sales job

Question 22

Contract of Employment

Answer 22

Legal agreement between an employer and employee which highlights the terms and conditions of the employment arrangement. It includes all the details of the job like the employee details, job title and description, holiday, hours of work etc

Question 23

Advantages of Contract of employment (2)

Answer 23

1. Evidence if dispute arises
2. Enhanced degree of organization and structure - more security , more motivation

Question 24

Disadvantages of Contract of employment (2)

Answer 24

1. Limit flexibility of employment and negotiation of terms
2. Must be in good faith and fair all times - lead to unnecessary legal action

Question 25

Advantages of job description and person specification (2)

Answer 25

1. Help during selection process 2. Allow company to only attract right people

Question 26

Disciplinary Procedures

Answer 26

Policy which has a step-by-step process that a business should follow when dealing which any discipline issues with an employee which is an activity in which the worker violated the code of conduct of an organization.

Question 27

Dismissal

Answer 27

Being dismissed or sacked from a job due to incompetence or breach of discipline.

Question 28

Unfair Dismissal

Answer 28

Ending a worker's employment contact for a reason that the law regards as being unfair

Question 29

Redundancy

Answer 29

When a job is no longer required due to factors the employee doing this job becomes unnecessary though no fault of their own

Question 30

How does a business help employee who are being made redundant (3)

Answer 30

1. redundancy payment 2. Organizations can give recommendations for new jobs 3. Companies can give training - adopt for new skill

Question 31

Employee morale

Answer 31

Overall outlook, attitude and level of satisfaction of employees when at work

Question 32

Employee Welfare

Answer 32

Broad term that covers a wide range of facilities that are essential for the well-being of a business' employee. This includes health, safety and level of morale at work.

Question 33

Work-life balance

Answer 33

A situation in which employees are able to give the right amount of time and effort to work and heir personal life outside work for example their family or other interests

Question 34

Advantage of work life balance (4)

Answer 34

1. Prevent damage to employees' health - improves' productivity 2. Reduces stress and ensures safety - avoid fines and law suits 3. Low labor turnover - less cost of hiring 4. Better employee loyalty - more productive

Question 35

Methods to improve work life balance (5)

Answer 35

1. Flexible working - what time to begin, where and when to stop 2. Teleworking - remote working some days 3. Job sharing - Allowing two people to fill one full time vacancy , each will get half pay 4. Sabbatical periods - Extended period of leave from work, which may be paid 5. Setting realistic targets- complete task in real time and leave time for other stuff

Question 36

Diversity policy

Answer 36

Ensures organizations have a blend of workers from all different ages, backgrounds, genders and cultures to create a mixed workforce

Question 37

Equality policy

Answer 37

Everyone in the organization is treated fairly and has an equal opportunity to fulfil their potential. Gives everyone an equal opportunity to reach senior positions in a business irrespective of their age gender ethnicity

Question 38

Advantages of diversity (3)

Answer 38

1. greater consumer market - make sales international 2. increase in creativity 3. culture awareness - more foreign market info = better expansion

Question 39

Advantages of Equality (5)

Answer 39

1. Best quality workers - competitive edge 2. effectiveness is measured by contribution - motivated 3. business avoids government labor discrimination fines

Question 40

Training

Answer 40

work related education to improve workforce skill and efficiency

Question 41

Develpoment

Answer 41

setting new challenges and opportunities like adding additional courses and promotions for workers to have a sense of fulfillment through employee appraisal

Question 42

Types of trainings (3)

Answer 42

1. Induction training 2. On the job training 3. Off the job training

Question 43

Induction training

Answer 43

Introductory training to familiarize new recruits with the systems and the layouts used in the business. Helps overcome induction crisis.

Question 44

On the job training

Answer 44

This type of training is done on the workplace and involves instruction at the place of work. Cheaper as compared to off the job training and company doesn't loose potential output however no new addition to skills and bad habits can transfer.

Question 45

Off the job training

Answer 45

This type of training is done away from workplace and takes place in institute, centers or workshops. Employees learn new skills that previously don't exist in business however these are expensive and there is a loss of potential output.

Question 46

Advantages of training/development (4)

Answer 46

1. Increase productivity and flexibility - reduces accidents 2. Increase in status of workers - better pay jobs 3. sense of achievement and reduce boredom 4. Improves image of company

Question 47

Disadvantages of training/development (3)

Answer 47

1. Expensive and time consuming 2. Employees going away from work to train - others need to fill in 3. Once trained employee may leave

Question 48

Trade unions

Answer 48

Association of people with the objective of improving pay and working conditions of their members and providing legal support

Question 49

Advantages of workers for joining a trade union (3)

Answer 49

1. collective bargaining 2. Legal support - poor working condition and unfair dismal 3. Industrial action - more influence

Question 50

Collective bargaining

Answer 50

Process if negotiating terms of employment between employer and group of workers who represent trade union.

Question 51

Advantages of collective bargaining (4)

Answer 51

1. save times- negotiates on behalf of members 2. Builds communication channels - organization solves problem better 3. Prevent unnecessary industrial action 4. Platform to discuss common interests

Question 52

Industrial Action

Answer 52

Measures taken by trade union or workforce to put pressure on the managment to accept their demands or to settle an industrial dispute in favor of the employees

Question 53

Methods to solve industrial disputes (5)

Answer 53

1. negotiation 2. Public relations - gain publics support 3. Threat of redundancy 4. Closure - shut and relocate 5. Lock-outs - Detention