Managing Human Resources at Unilever : Report

Managing Human
Resources

TABLE OF CONTENTS
Introduction......................................................................................................................................3
Task 1...............................................................................................................................................3
1.1.................................................................................................................................................3
1.2.................................................................................................................................................4
1.3.................................................................................................................................................4
Task 2...............................................................................................................................................5
2.1.................................................................................................................................................5
2.2.................................................................................................................................................6
2.3.................................................................................................................................................7
2.4.................................................................................................................................................8
Task 3...............................................................................................................................................8
3.1.................................................................................................................................................8
3.2.................................................................................................................................................9
3.3...............................................................................................................................................10
Task 4.............................................................................................................................................10
4.1...............................................................................................................................................10
4.2...............................................................................................................................................11
4.3...............................................................................................................................................12
4.4...............................................................................................................................................13
Conclusion ....................................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES .............................................................................................................................18
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INTRODUCTION
Managing human resources is the process of recruitment, providing proper orientation,
developing the skills and maximizing utilization of available skilled workforce. The present
report is based on Unilever in which HR managers are rendering their efforts to provide healthy
working environment to the workers for effective management. They are managing employees
by using best management style and some flexible working practices as well. In the present
report, different types of flexibilities will be identified so as to provide better working facilities
to the personnel (Stone, 2013). Along with this, the way in which both; employer and employee
will get affected by the flexible working practices will be studied. In addition to this, it will
explain various forms of discrimination that take place in the firm. Apart from that, different
methods of performance management will be compared so as to bring improvement in
employee’s productivity.
TASK 1
1.1
As per the given scenario, Unilever requires effective manager so that they can improve
management style of company. For this purpose, company applied Guest model of HRM.
This model has six dimensions of analysis such as HRM strategy, HRM practices,
behavior outcomes, etc. This model is basically based on the assumption of human resource
management(Fan, 2013.). According to the guest model, leader in company should work for
employee engagement which includes survey of employees. Leader of Unilever UK should
promote effective communication and increase the pay of workers. Guest model is linked with
the strategic management of manpower of firm .
It focuses on the needs of individuals and not on collective workforce. However, this
model can be adopted for restructuring business strategies in order to ensure better performance
in the future period (Posthuma, Wagstaff and Campion, 2012). People in company are
considered as an asset, so, it is necessary to positively used by the organization. Moreover, Guest
model conducts various training sessions for employees and introduces new talent in the
organization for meeting daily needs of Unilever UK.
David guest model six components
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Human resources management strategy; strategy set by the Unilever that is long term goal
form 3 to 6 year.
human resources practices:, There are many practice which company adopted so that employee
work effectively, it motivates employee so that they work hard
HRM outcomes: employee are working more effectively and efficiently for the Uniliver and
working environment support them to complete their work on time
Behavior outcomes: in this behavior of employee consider and a way through which certain
issues resolved it includes decision making behavior and analytical communication.
Performance outcomes: in performance outcome Unilever objective used to monitor an
employee performances at the end of year.
financial outcomes: The result arises form HR strategy and way it determine the Unilever
financial performance.
1.2
Basis HRM Personnel/IR
Contract It focuses to work beyond
the contract
Careful describe in the form
of of written contract
Rules Impatiences with rule and
not follow more rules
It makes clear rules and
regulation
Nature of relation It is Unitarian in nature it follows pluralistic
relationship with employees
Management action Action taken according to
business need
Managers follow a specified
procedure to take actions
and make policies
accordingly (Barak 2013).
Story's definition of HRM
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According to the Storey's it is unique strategic approach for gaining advantage in
competitive market. For achieving the goal it is necessary to manage the UK Unilever asset
efficiently. In this company HRM practices helps in developing in work culture, in it focus on
making a relation with worker in company. Storey's identified two approaches of HRM such as
hard and soft approach (Posthuma, Wagstaff and Campion, 2012). The Hard approach is fixed in
workforce planning as concerned with orienting human resources strategy with business
strategy. While on the other hand Soft approach is frozen in the human relation it only concern
with workforce.
For example ; Unilever adopted a model of story for HRM, it is very good to analyses the
practices. All the decision are taken fastly which helps in development of organization.
Moreover Unilever is also used IR model whenever it is necessary to apply. Under story's model
of HRM it has been described that management practioces adopted in effcetive manner supports
in gaining required outcomes. Effective HRM policies are formed by management of Unilever
supported in gaining required outcomes. Required behavioural outcomes can be achieved in
terms of positive support of staff members. Motivation level and moral of employees increses
and it supports in gaining a potential and talented workforce. Financial outcomes also achieved
in terms of huge profit and financial revenues and market share of the organization is also
enhanced. In addition to this required objectives of enterprise can also be achieved by making
effective HR strategies. Performance outcomes can also be achieved and significant
improvements can be observed in efficiency and productivity of the staff members. They work
with more effectively for completing their assigned task in appropriate manner.
1.3
According to the given scenario, implications of strategic approach to HRM on both; the
line manager and employees in Unilever are mentioned as below:
Implication for line managers
Line manager of Unilever plays a significant role in organization. He manages employees
work on regular basis to make it sure that each and every member of the staff is performing in a
well manner. He is specialized in managing operational cost effectively. Moreover, they also
give employee advice regarding their performances . He monitors the performance and evaluate
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work progress of workers. He is responsible to provide technical and managerial help to the
workers whenever required (Trombetti, Hars and Ferrari, 2013.). They are also accountable to
allocate duties and evaluate work in the most efficient manner. They also check the quality of
work and make necessary changes in order to improve employee’s performance.
Implication for employees
Employees are the important part of company and their innovative ideas are the basis of
increased productivity. Human resource management supports creative thinking of employees. It
helps in improving the productivity of UK Unilever and ultimately the profits. Reward systems
put a positive impact on workers performance (Hémery, Pra and Marty, 2014.). Moreover, they
share their knowledge and experience to guide their co-workers which in turn improves the
overall efficiency and performance of employees. By assigning responsibility to an employee,
they feel responsible and work harder. HR manager also supports to the workers for maximizing
their skills through conducting training and development programs which help in reducing errors
of employees (Posthuma, Wagstaff and Campion, 2012). Flexibility in work improves
employee’s performance as if they work freely, that is, without stress, they will become more
productive. Solving the problem of employees help in building trust among workforce and as a
result, they will be highly committed towards their work.
Example: Line manager of Unilever support its employee and respect their view and ideas. It
monitor the performances of employee which help in improving a productivity of the
organization. While employee also have some benefits at Unilever that employee skills and
knowledge increased with the help of training and development session
TASK 2
2.1
UK Unilever is expanding well, new technologies are adopted which is challenger for ht
employee. Growing organization demand long working hour and more efforts.. For solving this
problem, UK Unilever is applied model of flexibility at work place (Trombetti, Hars and Ferrari,
S., 2013). Flexibility is required because employee maximum time spend in work. For their
comfort and making making sure that employees personal priorities not disturb in any level.
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