HR Strategies and Job Design Strategies of Sainsbury during Covid-19

This report discusses the impact of environmental factors on Sainsbury's HR plan and culture, job design strategies, and HR strategies during Covid-19. It also uses Storey's 27 points of difference between HRM and Personnel Management as a benchmark.

HRM
1

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
A) Examine how HR strategies were changed by the firm. Use of concepts of strategic
HRM should be evident..........................................................................................................3
B) Analyse the impact of environmental factors on culture and HR plan of the chosen firm.
4
C) Use any HR model and state how value was created by the firm.................................5
D) Using Storey’s 27 points of difference between HRM and Personnel Management as a
benchmark, state what is being practised by the firm?...........................................................5
E) Analyse the job design strategies of the chosen firm....................................................5
F) State the hiring and firing strategies of the chosen firm during this period..................6
G) Use corporate examples of firms using good HR practices and literature to justify your
stand........................................................................................................................................7
H) Based on the discussion and debate what suggestions / recommendations would you make
to employers regarding HRM practices to ensure that the organisational performance is high?
................................................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................8
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................10
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INTRODUCTION
Human resource management is a strategic approach which helps HR manager in a company
to undertake efficient and effective strategies and practices to manage people to fulfil
organisational aims and objectives (Agarwal, 2021). Human resource plays an important role for
any organisation irrespective of its size and scope as with the help of various human resource
practices and activities business organisation gain competitive edge in business environment.
Present report is conducted on Sainsbury which is a leading organisation operating in retail
industrial sector with large scale of employees and headquartered in United Kingdom. Present
report include discussion upon the manner in which human resource strategy is being changed by
company during the time period of covid-19 along with the impact of environmental factors on
company HR planning and culture. Along with this job design strategy of company and
significant recommendation is also discussed in this report.
MAIN BODY
A) Examine how HR strategies were changed by the firm. Use of concepts of strategic HRM
should be evident.
Outbreak of covid-19 led almost all the organisations around the globe to change their
workforce strategies and adopt new concepts of strategic human resource management in order
to manage employees to make them efficiently work from home. It has been identified due to
covid-19 outbreak Sainsbury business operations have been disrupted and cause human resource
manager to think in a different way about their roles and adjust new work environment to
manage remote working in a well-defined and effective manner (Bailey and Breslin, 2021). In
terms with Sainsbury human resource manager, they effectively concerned about employee
health and wellbeing and changed HR strategies in order to manage their performance
efficiently:
Deliberate and consistent communication:
During the outbreak of covid-19 Sainsbury human resource managers changed human
resource strategies of communication in which they make consistent communication and over
communicate with employees if it is necessary. In this they make sure that communication is
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thoughtful, clear, accurate transparent as much as possible by working with internal
communications team and robust internal update framework. In this communication plan
Sainsbury HR manager keep on asking frequently question to employees and keep staff up-to-
date as to manage workforce.
Employee wellness and safety initiatives:
It is one of the most important human resource strategies in which HR manager of
Sainsbury strategically keep consistent communication with employees in order to know about
their mental and physical health (Tursunbayeva, 2021). Along with this by practicing emphatic
and addressing employees concern providing them benefit plans with the help of activate
wellness program and employee assistance program Sainsbury human resource team emphasized
on employee health and safety in efficient manner.
Reconsideration of leaves and policies:
With the help of reconstructing changes and updates on new employment legislation
Sainsbury human resource team developed new framework for leaves and policies and modify
practices in policy with the help of transparent leadership, to provide efficient support to
employees during pandemic.
Implementation of remote work strategies:
It is one of the most important strategic human resource policies in which with the help of
implementing remote work strategy by working with IT department of company, HR team of
Sainsbury assure smooth transition to remote work (Butterick and Charlwood, 2021). Along with
this with the help of having different communication channels in emergency and sharing quick
guide for employees and supervisors Sainsbury human resource manager manage employee’s
performance during the outbreak of covid-19.
B) Analyse the impact of environmental factors on culture and HR plan of the chosen firm.
There are different types of environmental factors which have direct and indirect impact
upon culture and HR plan of an organisation. Mentioned below environmental factors along with
their impact upon Sainsbury HR plan and culture is being discussed:
Impact of legislation
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Due is one of the most dynamic environmental factors which have direct and indirect
impact upon Sainsbury culture and human resource plan. Legislation impact upon human
resource activities. It has been identified that number of factors such as Covid-19, Brexit extra
which led government of country in which Sainsbury is having it headquarter to make
modification and enforce new laws such as health insurance law, wages act etc which is essential
for organisation to adhere in order to safeguard employees in an effective manner. Change in
legislations and legal obligations impact upon HR plan in which HR manager is required to make
frequent changes and make sure that all the laws are being applied in company. Legislations also
impact upon culture of company in which leaders and managers are require to treat employees as
per the laws and legislations.
Competition on recruiting
Sainsbury is operating its business services in highly competitive industrial sector in which
rivals was like Tesco, ASDA etc are taking advantage of aggressive strategies to recruit talented
and qualified workers. These industry giants are taking advantage of efficient strategies and are
spending money on advertisers to recruit candidates. Increase in recruiting competition is acting
as an environmental factor which is impacting HR plan and culture, as in this human resource
manager is required to develop more competitive recruitment strategies and promote company at
greater extent in order to attract applicants (Ciuffetelli, 2021). It has been underlined that, leaders
and manager of respective company is required to motivate employees in effective manner and
provide them rewards and recognition with positive workplace culture in order to retain workers
for longer period of time.
From the above analysis it has been identified that a number of environmental factors
prevailing in environment which have direct indirect impact upon Sainsbury human resource
plan and culture (Troger, 2021). However, in this human resource management of Sainsbury
engaged on continuous and in-depth research to evaluate the impact of these factors and further
implement strategies against them to overcome the negative impact of these factors in effective
manner.
C) Use any HR model and state how value was created by the firm.
Human resource manager of century undertakes advantage of effective strategy and model to
create value. In this company HR manager take use of the 5P’s model which is mainly based
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upon five constitutional aspects that are purpose, processes, principles. people and performance.
This framework allows human resource manager of company to align and balance these 5
principles and order to accomplish organisational objectives. It has been identified that with the
help of taking advantage of this model company HR manager emphasise upon organisation
mission and vision. The primary objectives of this model are to define operational protocols in
order to achieve purpose in effective manner with the help of principals and purpose. Human
resource manager of company develops a process which include organisation architecture
method of operation and system by aligning people who are vital HR resource. Company HR
manager perform task by aligning with principles and processes which is pre determine
(Hamouche, 2021). In this with the help of appropriate standards HR manager measure
performance in effective manner. the 5P’s model is an efficient tool for long term continuity
which helps HR manager to trigger employee’s performance. In this with the help of
emphasising upon organisation principle and process HR manager engage with employees in a
systematic process and manage their performance accordingly. From the above-mentioned
analysis, it has been identified that with the help of taking advantage of the 5P’s model human
resource manager of Sainsbury effectively create value in a well-defined and effective manner
and manage performance of employees efficiently.
D) Using Storey’s 27 points of difference between HRM and Personnel Management as a
benchmark, state what is being practised by the firm?
According to the Storey’s 27 difference between human resource management and personnel
management as a benchmark Sainsbury human resource manager significantly practice HRM in
which company HR manager conduct various operations such as job designing with the help of
teamwork, handle conflicts while managing climate and culture, provide training and
development with the help of structural and personal strategies, undertake processes like
communication with direct communication strategies (Ismail, 2021). It has been identified that
human resource manager of Sainsbury also undertakes various activities such as in terms with
pay company HR manager provide pay to employees according to their performance and in
terms of labour management they aim towards individual contracts. In addition to this it has been
identified that in terms with managerial task and labour task human resource manager of
company with the help of nurturing guide employees and manage performance in effective
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manner. Thus, from the above-mentioned analysis it has been identified that human resource
manager of Sainsbury according to stories 27 point of difference practice HRM as a benchmark
in order to manage performance of employees in organisational workplace structure in a well-
defined and efficient manner.
E) Analyse the job design strategies of the chosen firm.
In order to manage employees and performance that are number of job design strategies
undertaken by Sainsbury which is being discussed below:
Job Rotation:
It is the most effective form of job design strategy that has been undertaken by human
resource manager of Sainsbury. In rotation of employees is being practiced by moving workers
between jobs in organisational work place structure. With the help of adopting this job design
strategy Sainsbury effectively aim towards enhancing skill variety among employees.
Furthermore, it has been identified that the main advantage of this strategy is that it helps
employees oriented in number of new potential roles and learn various forms of experience. It is
a cost-effective job strategy which not only helps Sainsbury to retain its talented and skilled
employees for a longer period of time but it also helps company to enhance their motivation and
create flexibility in a well define and effective manner.
Job enlargement:
This form of job strategy allows Sainsbury to add additional activities in the same form
of hierarchical level within existing roles. In this Sainsbury HR manager make their employees
work on different content with similar form of skills with the help of taking advantage of job
enlargement job design strategies that effectively enhanced skill variety and task identity. The
main advantage of this strategy is that it enables employees to do more similar activities and give
them a broader range of responsibility, autonomy and accountability (Jannat, 2021). With the
help of this form of job design strategy Sainsbury leaders and managers create a motivate
employees by enhancing their efforts and exposure towards number of organisational objectives.
By enhancing responsibilities Sainsbury motivate employees by using their abilities to the fullest.
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Job enrichment:
It is an effective job design strategy in which Sainsbury add new task. This strategy is
characterized by adding motivational themes (Keerthana and Nisha, 2021). It has been
underlined that this form of strategy mainly emphasizes upon adding motivators to existing roles.
Furthermore, it has been identified that main advantage of this strategy is that it helps in
enhancing employees job satisfaction and lower employee turnover. It also helps Sainsbury to
enhance better form of communication among management and employees and increase
productivity along with positive corporate morale.
F) State the hiring and firing strategies of the chosen firm during this period.
During the outbreak of covid-19 employees were restricted to perform their roles and
responsibilities from home. In this, human resource manager of respective company also make
changes in their hiring and firing strategies which is being discussed below:
Social Media for Hiring
During the time of covid-19 to hire talented and skill candidates human resource manager
of Sainsbury emphasised upon digital media in which with the help of social media which is
known as one of the most used talent acquisition strategy in today's world HR manager hire
candidates. Along with this they also undertake advantage of Facebook, LinkedIn in a well-
defined and effective manner in order to cover by the audience as possible. Along with this with
the help of creating profile on YouTube human resource manager of Sainsbury take use of
master mode hiring approach.
Video Interview
During covid-19 Sainsbury HR manager undertake advantage of video interview tactics
which is the most important strategy of remote hiring. During the time period of Covid-19 video
interview plays important role in the absence of face-to-face interaction which helps human
resource manager in the process of shortlisting (Ling and Yusof, 2021). With the help of having
efficient understanding of technology HR manager of Sainsbury undertake advantage of Google
Hangout, Skype, zoom and other video conferencing to higher skilled and experienced
candidates.
Aid In the Job Search and Severance Pay
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An HR manager there are a number of responsibilities when it comes to layoff and
employee especially during the time period of global pandemic. In this HR managers of
Sainsbury strategically with the help of transparent communication practices upgrade the layoff
process within company. In this human resource manager assures efficient support to employees
and assist them in the job search (Mihalache and Mihalache, 2021). Human resource manager of
Sainsbury by connecting with other human resource managers of company collect information
about new job opportunities and provide job reference to help employees. In addition to this HR
manager of Sainsbury also offered severance pay which is mainly given to long-term employee’s
recognition of their years of service in organisation. However, this package is being offered all
employees those who were laid off during the time period of covid-19, as it helps in to gain
recent goodwill and assist employees during covid-19 pandemic.
G) Use corporate examples of firms using good HR practices and literature to justify your stand.
Covid-19 pandemic drastically restricted all the industrial sector around the globe which
not only affected organisation but also impact upon employees mental and physical health. It has
been identified that United Kingdom second largest supermarket which significantly provided
efficient support and make significant efforts to provide support to their employees during covid-
19 pandemic (Coronavirus: Sainsbury’s announces full pay for self-isolating staff. 2020). In this
to support employees, Sainsbury announced a pay increase for staff and also give staff third
pandemic bonus. Along with this respective organisation also treated employees with respect and
kindness and provided full pay for self-isolating stuff those were feeling unwell during covid-19
pandemic. With the help of dedicated human resource team Sainsbury manage employees by
taking regular feedback from them in order to know their mental as well as physical health.
Company also offered training and guidance facilities to employees to support remote working in
efficient manner (Britain's Sainsbury's gives staff third pandemic bonus. 2021). Thus, from the
above analysis it has been identified that with the help of good HR practices human resource
manager offer significant support to employees which helps company to retain skilled and
talented workers during covid-19 pandemic and offer satisfactory services and facilities to
consumers.
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H) Based on the discussion and debate what suggestions / recommendations would you make to
employers regarding HRM practices to ensure that the organisational performance is high?
From the analysis of above report, it has been identified that there are various factors in
external and internal environment that are having tendency to dramatically impact upon on
overall business operations of company. Factors like outbreak of covid-19 have a tendency to
affect business operations as a whole. In this it is essential for human resource manager of
company to undertake effective strategies and practices in order to manage performance of
employees during these challenges. In this it is recommended to human resource manager of
Sainsbury to emphasize upon digital platform, as outbreak of covid-19 significantly enhance the
importance of digitalization and technology. Along with this in order to overcome high
competition digital platform plays important role which helps organisations to transform their
human resource capabilities and functions in effective manner. In this human resource manager
of company is recommended to take advantage of twitter, Google +, Linkedin and Facebook in
order to strengthen the recruiting process, career management and internal communication.
Company human resource manager is also recommended to take advantage of social media tools
for recruitment and employer branding process. It is important for human resource manager to
transform human resource with the help of technology. Furthermore, company human resource
manager is also recommended to take use of software web page technology such as e-recruiting
to attract stronger and more diverse applicants. This will help company to improve recruiting
efficiency and reduced cost. It also helps in enhancing quality and quantity of applicant which
help Company HR manager to select talented and skilled employees. Human resource manager
of Sainsbury is also recommended to focus upon e-learning in which by providing tailoring
material, courses interaction to employees can effectively enhance skills and capabilities of
employees. This training method helps company to undertake training and development practices
in comparatively less cost. It also enhance employee to have flexibility and control over learning
as this will allow employees to take control of their learning and the time and place of their
choice.
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CONCLUSION
From the above-mentioned report, it has been concluded that covid-19 pandemic affected
organisation in every industrial around the globe. However, in order to overcome the challenges
that has been imposed during covid-19 human resource manager of company with the help of
employee wellness and safety initiatives implementing remote working strategies and consistent
and deliberate communication. Along with this with the help of supporting employees by
providing employee referrals and packages Sainsbury supported employees. Sainsbury in firing
process also supported workers during covid-19 by providing full pay for self-isolating and
unwell staff. All these human resource practices facilitated organisation to manage employee’s
performance even during this hard time which help company to serve consumers in a better way
and maintain organisation leading positioning in industry. Organisation with efficient HR
strategies also supported them overcome mental and physical challenges in a well-defined and
effective manner. Efficient human resource practices played important role in managing
employee’s performance. However, with the help of rewarding employees in more effective
manner and providing them financial support will help company to maintain their performance in
effective manner and retain them for longer period of time.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Agarwal, P., 2021. Shattered but smiling: Human resource management and the wellbeing of
hotel employees during COVID-19. International Journal of Hospitality
Management, 93, p.102765.
Bailey, K. and Breslin, D., 2021. The COVID‐19 Pandemic: What can we learn from past
research in organizations and management?. International Journal of Management
Reviews, 23(1), pp.3-6.
Butterick, M. and Charlwood, A., 2021. HRM and the COVID‐19 pandemic: How can we stop
making a bad situation worse?. Human Resource Management Journal.
Ciuffetelli, A., 2021. The new side of innovative work behaviour during the Covid-19 crisis: in
which way can human resources management practices facilitate employees to engage
in innovative work behaviours in the virtual work situation and working from
home? (Master's thesis, University of Twente).
Hamouche, S., 2021. Human resource management and the COVID-19 crisis: implications,
challenges, opportunities, and future organizational directions. Journal of Management
& Organization, pp.1-16.
Ismail, F., 2021. Impact of Pandemic Covid-19 On Human Resources Management. Advances in
Humanities and Contemporary Studies, 2(1), pp.1-7.
Jannat, M., 2021. COVID-19 Challenges to Human Resource Management and Its Future
Directions–a study on Banking Industry of Bangladesh.
Keerthana, R. and Nisha, D.B., 2021. Impact of COVID-19 on human resource management in
the organization. International Journal of Aquatic Science, pp.2431-2440.
Ling, G.J. and Yusof, H.M., 2021. Covid-19 and Human Resource Management Functions: A
Short Discussion.
Mihalache, M. and Mihalache, O.R., 2021. How workplace support for the COVID‐19 pandemic
and personality traits affect changes in employees' affective commitment to the
organization and job‐related well‐being. Human Resource Management.
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Troger, H., 2021. Human Resource Management in a Post COVID-19 World. New Distribution
of Power, Indi.
Tursunbayeva, A., 2021. Human resource management-related responses of health organizations
to Covid-19. Strategic HR Review.
Vahdat, S., 2021. The role of IT-based technologies on the management of human resources in
the COVID-19 era. Kybernetes.
Online
Coronavirus: Sainsbury’s announces full pay for self-isolating staff. 2020. [Online]. Available
through<https://www.retailgazette.co.uk/blog/2020/03/coronavirus-sainsburys-
announces-full-pay-self-isolating-staff/>
Britain's Sainsbury's gives staff third pandemic bonus. 2021. [Online]. Available
throughhttps://hr.economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/hrtech/payroll-and-benefits/
britains-sainsburys-gives-staff-third-pandemic-bonus/81240673
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