Human Resource Management in British Airways: A Comprehensive Analysis

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HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN
SERVICE INDUSTRY

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION........................................................................................................................2
TASK 1...................................................................................................................................... 3
1.1 ROLE AND PURPOSE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN BRITISH AIRWAYS.......3
1.2 HUMAN RESOURCES PLAN BASED ON AN ANALYSIS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR
BRITISH AIRWAYS................................................................................................................. 4
TASK 2...................................................................................................................................... 7
2.1 CURRENT STATE OF EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS IN BRITISH AIRWAYS............................7
2.2 HOW EMPLOYMENT LAW AFFECTS THE MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN RESOURCES IN
BRITISH AIRWAYS................................................................................................................. 8
TASK 3.................................................................................................................................... 11
3.1 JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR BRITISH AIRWAYS......................11
3.2 SELECTION PROCESS OF BRITISH AIRWAYS AND TRASPORT FOR LONDON..................15
TASK 4.................................................................................................................................... 17
4.1 CONTRIBUTION OF TRAINING AND DEVELOPMENT ACTIVITIES TO THE EFFECTIVE
OPERATION OF BRITISH AIRWAYS......................................................................................17
CONCLUSION.......................................................................................................................... 19
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................... 20
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INTRODUCTION
Human Resource Management is considered as the backbone of the organization. The role
of Human Resource Management in the organization has been significant and there are
various responsibilities on the Human Resource Management department of the
organization. There are key elements of human resource management in the organization
related to the service industry businesses. A study has been conducted in order to gain
significant knowledge regarding the elements of human resource management in the
service industry effectively. Initially, the study focuses on understanding the human
resource management in the organizational context. Further, its effect on the employee
relations and employment law of the organization is discussed. The recruitment and
selection practices are also discussed along with the need for training and development in
the organization. The knowledge of these areas would help in understanding the
effectiveness of human resource management in the service industry.
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TASK 1
INTRODUCTION
The role of Human Resource Management has been significant in the airline industry. It
assists in conducting operations in an effective manner. A report has been developed for the
line manager which discusses the role and purpose of human resource management in
British Airways. In addition to this, the report focuses on the HR plan which comprised of
the supply and demand along with the justification of different areas in order to deliver the
new flight service to Madeira.
1.1 ROLE AND PURPOSE OF HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT IN
BRITISH AIRWAYS
Human Resource Management is known as a contemporary term which helps in
understanding the management and growth of the employees in the organization. It is also
referred to as personnel management because it focuses on overseeing aspects regarding
the management of the human capital (HRE, 2019). The role of human resource
management in British Airways has been vital as it manages and handles the operations of
the organization in an effective manner. It further helps in managing the productivity of the
employees which directly assist the organization in meeting their goals. There are several
functional activities of human resource management in the organization such as:
HR Strategy – The HR strategy plays a significant role in the functioning of the organization.
There are five pillars of the HR strategy such as legal requirements, employee engagement,
career advancement programs, corporate image, and performance management system
(Thiefels, 2018). These pillars ensure that the HR strategy is potential and assist the
organization in meeting its goals effectively. The functions of British Airways are carried
effectively through potent HR strategy.
Recruitment and Selection – It is one of the major HRM practice in the organization. The
practice helps the organization in recruiting and selecting the most potent candidates. It
helps the organization in gaining high productivity which further result in attaining
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competitive advantage. In British Airways, competent staff members are selected through
this practice.
Reward – The reward is provided by the human resource management department to the
employees for their exceptional performance in the organization. The motivation and
encouragement level of the employees rise due to suitable rewards for their performance.
In British Airways, the reward is provided by the HR department through recognition, bonus,
etc.
Performance Management – The importance of performance management is huge in the
organization. It assists the HR department in effectively assessing the performance of the
employees and further taking suitable action for attaining improvement. British Airways
focused on assessing the performance of their employees such that they utilize performance
appraisal for assessing the performance of employees.
Training and Development – The role of training and development has been significant in
the organization. It assists the employees in attaining improvement and enhancing their
existing skills at a huge level. The employees in British Airways are provided with adequate
training so that they could attain development effectively.
The aforementioned are the key functional activities of the HRM in British Airways. The
overall purpose of HR in British Airways is to effectively carry the business functions and
assists the organization in meeting their respective goals. Moreover, it has been
comprehended that the role of staff in British Airways has been significant as they help the
organization in meeting its aim and objectives effectively.
1.2 HUMAN RESOURCES PLAN BASED ON AN ANALYSIS OF SUPPLY AND DEMAND FOR
BRITISH AIRWAYS
HR plan is an important element in the practices of human resource management. The plan
is developed for a year and based on the people. The HR plan is comprised of the
recruitment and resourcing plans, training and development programs, performance
management, succession plans, company events, health and safety, reward and recognition.
In addition, it could also be utilized for plotting the activities for the month and year (THB,
2019). The importance of HR plan has been significant in the organization as it helps in
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prioritizing the essential activities which help the organization in meeting their goals.
Moreover, there are certain difficulties which could occur during the HR plan. The staff
turnover is the major issue which impacts the HR plan as it influences the planning of the HR
which result in inaccuracy.
The supply and demand for labour are known as the phenomenon which focuses on
meeting the labour requirement in the organization. The HR planning is influenced by the
supply and demand of the labour as the staff turnover impacts the HR plan which results in
a significant challenge for the HR department (CN, 2019). It is also observed that the HR
planning impacted by the staff turnover where the supply and demand of labour are carried
to meet the requirement.
British Airways have developed an HR plan which would be helpful in planning the services
to Madeira. There would be different kind of employees who would be working in British
Airways such that the HR plan involves the number of staff members along with the
required and turnover rate.
Supply Analysis Supply Demand
Analysis
Workin
g Hours
Details
Key Roles Staff
Turnove
r in the
year
Existing
staff
member
s
Projecte
d
Turnover
Staff
Turnove
r at the
end of
the year
Projecte
d Staff
Demand
Projected
Recruitmen
t of Staff
Workin
g Hours
(Per
Week)
In-flight
Business
Manager
2 2 1 1 5 4 36
Customer
Service
Manager
1 3 1 2 8 6 42
World Class
Cabin Crew
3 15 8 7 25 18 48
5

Heathrow
Mixed Fleet
Cabin Crew
2 25 6 19 30 11 42
Pilots 1 5 1 4 10 6 36
Flight
Attendant
5 15 5 10 40 30 48
Airport
Station
Attendant
0 15 3 12 20 8 36
Airline
Administrativ
e Support
1 5 2 3 8 5 42
Total Staff 85 27 58 146 88
The aforementioned HR plan is helpful for British Airways in meeting their needs regarding
the staffing for the flight from Heathrow to Madeira.
CONCLUSION
It has been evaluated from the study that the role of HRM in British Airways has been vital.
It helps the organization in carrying their operations and functions in an effective manner.
The application of HRM practices in the organization has been significant and it assists in
meeting the goals effectively.
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TASK 2
INTRODUCTION
The success of the organization is dependent on the employees at a significant level. There
are certain employee relations and employment law which helps the organization in
maintaining a healthy relationship with the employees. A report has been developed in
order to understand the effect of employee relations and employment law on British
Airways.
2.1 CURRENT STATE OF EMPLOYMENT RELATIONS IN BRITISH AIRWAYS
Employee relations are known as an attribute that helps in resolution, consultation, and
facilitation of the strategies in order to deal with workplace issues. Healthy communication is
developed between the employees and management of the organization through the employee
relations where the corrective action and planning is conducted (HR, 2019). There are certain
main players in employee relations which assist in resolving the conflicts effectively. In British
Airways, the main players who manage the employee relation are the manager, trade unions,
employees, and management of the organization. The effectively communicate with each other
and focus on handling the conflicts through different approaches. There are various approaches
which could be applied by the main players in the employee relations for British Airways such
as:
Collective Bargaining – The trade union in British Airways carried the collective bargaining with
the management of the organization regarding wages and other employment conditions. It is an
effective approach which helps in carrying the negotiation process at the workplace and handle
the situation effectively.
Negotiation – The aim of conducting a negotiation is that it helps in reaching the agreement.
The negotiator between the employees and employer in British Airways effectively manage and
handle the issues.
Consultation – In process of consultation, the processes are carried informal manner in order to
consult on a certain issue. It helps in improving the relationship between the employees and
employer. The process helps in discussing the advice and opinion for the issue and meeting the
outcome adequately.
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Employee Participation – The employees of the organization would be participating in the
negotiation process which ensures transparency. It helps in building a healthy relationship
between the employees and employer.
Conflict Management – The conflict management in the organization could be carried through
the help of consultative services among the managers and employees (University of California,
2019). There are different kinds of conflict which could occur at the workplace due to
misunderstanding, changes, etc. The conflict management could occur through formal and
informal practices.
Empowerment – This approach could be utilized by the organization for carrying employee
relations. In this process, the employees are empowered to take suitable action in the
organization for handling the issues effectively.
The aforementioned practices have been useful for British Airways in handling the issues
effectively. In addition, it could be comprehended that the role of employee relations in the
organization has been significant.
2.2 HOW EMPLOYMENT LAW AFFECTS THE MANAGEMENT OF HUMAN
RESOURCES IN BRITISH AIRWAYS
The role of employment law has been vital in the functioning and operations of the
organization. The focus of the employment law is that it effectively regulates the
relationship between employees and employers. It involves the employer's expectation
from the employees and the rights of the employees at the workplace (CIPD, 2019). The
impact of employment law possesses a significant impact on the management of human
resources. It is necessary for British Airways that they effectively follow certain employment
law at the workplace so that they could manage the human resources effectively. There is
certain employment law which should be followed at the workplace such as:
Employment Relations Act – The act focuses on recognition of the trade unions and also taking
the industrial action for making the provision of voting in ballots under the Labour Relations and
Trade Union (Legislation.gov.uk, 2019).
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Employment Rights Act – The employment rights act of 1996 focuses on codifying the existing
laws regarding individual rights under the UK labour law (Legislation.gov.uk, 2019). It focuses
on employment, disclosures and detriment, holidays, wages, termination, etc.
Equality Act – The focus of Equality act 2010 is to safeguard the people from any kind of
discrimination at the workplace (GOV.UK, 2019). Moreover, the law safeguards the
employees in the organization from any discrimination.
Contracts of employment – It is known as the agreement between the employee and employer
which is considered as the base for employment relationship (GOV.UK, 2019). The employees
are provided with the written employment contract and it started as the employee accept
the employment.
Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service (ACAS) – The focus of ACS in the organization to
attain improvement and maintain a healthy working environment through effective employee
relations and further assisting the employees and employer to solve problems (GOV.UK, 2019).
British Airways have been utilizing these employment laws at their workplace in order to
ensure a healthy relationship between the employees and employer. The employment laws
possess a positive impact in the management of the human resources in the organization. It
helps the employee in British Airways to understand their rights and work effectively. In
addition, the employer in British Airways could effectively work with the employees on
healthy terms.
CONCLUSION
There are different attributes which have been discussed in the report regarding employee
relations and employment law. It has been evaluated from the report that the role of
employee relations has been vital in maintaining healthy relationships between the
employees and employer in British Airways. In addition to this, there are several
employment laws which are necessary for the organization to follow at the workplace in
order to carry the management of human resources. British Airways have effectively applied
several employment laws at the workplace in order to ensure a healthy environment for the
employees. Also, it helps in carrying the operations of the organization in an effective
manner.
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10

TASK 3
INTRODUCTION
The importance of recruitment and selection processes in the organization has been
significant. Recruitment and selection is the process which helps in recruiting and selecting a
suitable candidate in the organization. A report has been developed for British Airways
where the recruitment and selection processes of the organization are reviewed in order to
ensure that the legal requirements and industry standards are fulfilled. Further, the
comparison is conducted between the Transport for London and British Airways regarding
their selection processes.
3.1 JOB DESCRIPTION AND PERSON SPECIFICATION FOR BRITISH
AIRWAYS
The role of the job description and person specification in the recruitment and selection
process has been significant. In British Airways, it possesses huge importance in attaining
potentially talented candidates. A job description is known as the internal documents that
help in understanding the required job needs, duties, responsibilities, and skills for a
particular role (BT, 2019). The person specification deals with the description of the skills,
qualifications, knowledge, experience, and other attributes which should be possessed by
the candidates in order to perform the job role. A post of Cabin Crew has been opened in
British Airways such that a job description and person specification has been developed
below:
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