HNBS 303 Human Resource Management

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF HNBS 303 Human Resource Management

HNBS 303 Human Resource Management successful retail company in UK, wants to update its Human Resources Department as part of its campaign to improve the working conditions for its staff. The company wishes to review its tools and techniques used in HRM to maximise the employee contribution and gain competitive advantage. Their present HR director has been in the role for 20 years; his title has changed many times but not his views.

The Senior Management Team (SMT) of the company has contacted you as a fresh HNC graduate to inject new HRM ideas in the organisation. They feel that you as an outsider to the firm can present innovative ideas about the changing role and responsibilities of an HR department. If possible they would like to see examples of how similar UK companies operate in these respects. Hence, you are requested to research one organisation from UK retail sector (either Morrisons or Sainsbury’s) and conduct rigorous research on its HRM practices.

As a starting point, the SMT of the company has asked you to write an investigative report to explain the purpose and scope of Human Resource Management in terms of resourcing an organisation with talent and skills appropriate to fulfil business objectives.

In order to achieve PASS in this assignment, you are required to cover the following issues in your presentation:

1.1 Explain the purpose and the functions of HRM, applicable to workforce planning and resourcing of your selected organisation (P1).

1.2 Explain the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection of your selected organisation (P2).

In order to achieve MERIT in this assignment, you must answer the following:

1.3 Assess how the functions of HRM can provide talent and skills appropriate to fulfil the business objectives of your selected organisation (M1).

1.4 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection of your selected organisation (M2).

In order to achieve DISTINCTION in this assignment you must answer the following:

1.5 Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection, supported by specific examples from your selected organisation (D1).

Guidelines for preparation and submission of Report:

• This is not a group assignment, rather an individual report. So you should work independently in this assignment and submit an original piece of work.

• Use appropriate report format with an introduction at the beginning, main body with headings and sub-headings and conclusion at the end.

• A cover page, table of contents page, references list and bibliography would be at highest standard.

• Your response to the questions need to be underpinned by module contents.

• Please save your document with a unique name. Follow the following style: Your Surname_Your first Name_Unit Code_Assignment_Number_Assignment Type. For example: Bennett_Tiffany_HNBS 304_Assignment 1_Report.

• The report might be written in 1500 words.

Scenario

You have impressed the SMT of the retail company with your excellent report. As a result, you have been offered the post of a Junior Officer in the Personnel department. You are tasked with to write another report covering the principles of effective human resource management and its usability in an organisation.

HNBS 303 Human Resource Management

The SMT of the retail company has outlined the key areas for further investigation in task 1, 2 and 3 below.

Task 1: Evaluate the effectiveness of the key elements of Human Resource

Management in an organisation (LO2: P3, P4, M3 & D2)

In order to achieve PASS in this task, you must answer the following:

1.1 Explain the benefits of different HRM practices within your selected organisation for both the employer and employee (P3).

1.2 Evaluate the effectiveness of different HRM practices in terms of raising organisational profit and productivity with examples from your selected organisation (P4).

In order to achieve MERIT in this task, you must answer the following:

1.3 Explore the different methods used in HRM practices, providing specific examples to support evaluation in the context of your chosen organisation (M3).

In order to achieve DISTINCTION in this task, you must answer the following:

1.4 Critically evaluate HRM practices and application within the context of your selected organisation, using a range of specific examples (D2).

Task 2: Analyse internal and external factors that affect Human Resource Management decision-making, including employment legislation (LO3: P5, P6, M4 & D3)

In order to achieve PASS in this task, you must answer the following:

2.1 Analyse the importance of employee relations in respect to influencing HRM decision-making in your chosen organisation (P5).

2.2 Identify the key elements of employment legislation and the impact it has upon HRM decision-making in your chosen organisation (P6).

In order to achieve MERIT in this task you must answer the following:

2.3 Evaluate the key aspects of employee relations management and employment legislation that affect HRM decision-making in the context of your chosen organisation (M4).

In order to achieve DISTOINCTION in this task you must answer the following:

2.4 Critically evaluate employee relations and the application of HRM practices that inform and influence decision-making in the context of your chosen organisation (D3).

Task  3:  Apply  Human  Resource  Management  practices  in  a  work-related

context (LO4: P7 & M5)

In order to achieve PASS in this task you must answer the following:

3.1 Prepare a job description and person specification for a team leader in your selected organisation, taking into account legislation and company policies (P7).

In order to achieve MERIT in this task you must answer the following:

3.2 Provide a rationale of having job description and person specification in the recruitment process in your selected organisation (M5).

Guidelines for preparation and submission of Report:

• This is not a group assignment, rather an individual report. So you should work independently in this assignment and submit an original piece of work.

• Use appropriate report format with an introduction at the beginning, main body with headings and sub-headings and conclusion at the end.

• A cover page, table of contents page, references list and bibliography would be at highest standard.

• Your response to the questions need to be underpinned by module contents.

• Please save your document with a unique name. Follow the following style: Your Surname_Your first Name_Unit Code_Assignment_Number_Assignment Type. For example: Bennett_Tiffany_HNBS 304_Assignment 2_Report.

• The report might be written in 3000 words.

Report Terms Explained

Assess: Weigh up to what extent something is true. Persuade the reader of your argument by citing relevant research but also remember to point out any flaws and counter-arguments as well. Conclude by stating clearly how far you are in agreement with the original proposition.

Explain: Clarify a topic by giving a detailed account as to how and why it occurs, or what is meant by the use of this term in a particular context. Your writing should have clarity so that complex procedures or sequences of events can be understood, defining key terms where appropriate, and be substantiated with relevant research.

Evaluate/Critically Evaluate: Give your verdict as to what extent a statement or findings within a piece of research are true, or to what extent you agree with them. Provide evidence taken from a wide range of sources which both agree with and contradict an argument. Come to a final conclusion, basing your decision on what you judge to be the most important factors and justify how you have made your choice.

Explore: Adopt a questioning approach and consider a variety of different viewpoints. Where

possible reconcile opposing views by presenting a final line of argument.

Analyse: Break an issue into its constituent parts. Look in depth at each part using supporting arguments and evidence for and against as well as how these interrelate to one another.

Identify: Determine what the key points to be addressed are and implications thereof.