People Management in Aviation: A British Airways Case Study Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of people management practices within British Airways, focusing on contemporary issues and challenges faced by line management, particularly in the context of the aviation industry. It explores issues such as decreased performance, lack of communication, poor teamwork, managing security risks, time management, and weak workplace culture. The report identifies essential knowledge, skills, and behaviors for effective people managers, including patience, communication, honesty, problem-solving skills, trustworthiness, and the ability to encourage employees. Furthermore, it explains the role of HR processes, such as performance planning, training programs, and performance feedback, in supporting effective performance management. The report concludes with recommendations for improving people management practices at British Airways and emphasizes the importance of aligning talent and business strategies to achieve both individual and organizational objectives. The report highlights the need for clear communication channels, the implementation of managerial skills, and the development of HR practices to overcome challenges and enhance operational activities.

INTRODUCTION TO
PEOPLE MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
MAIN BODY...................................................................................................................................3
TASK...............................................................................................................................................3
Explaining contemporary issues faced by LM for people management.....................................3
Describing knowledge, skills and behaviour for being an effective people manager.................5
Explaining HR process underpin and how it support in effective Performance Management...6
RECOMMENDATION...................................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION................................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
People management is part of human resource activity that helps organization to obtain
company's objective. In current environment it has become essential for organization to develop
proper understanding of human resource management so that competitive advantages can be
gained. The chosen company for present report is British Airways (BA) that’s carrier airline of
United Kingdom. The selected organization has faced several issues due to Covid-19 that has
forced it to terminate some of its existing employees. Current case study will give emphasis on
contemporary issues faced by Line Management (LM). Present report will comprise skills,
knowledge and behaviour needed by effective people manager. The Human resource process
management from effectual People Management (PM).
MAIN BODY
TASK
Explaining contemporary issues faced by LM for people management
LM refers to management of subordinates who are directly linked with business practices
providing goods, & service. In current scenario it has become essential for organization to
develop effective LM for deliver quality services and commodities. There are several challenges
that line management of BA faces which are as follows:
Decreased Performance
Employees may face situation when they are not able to give their full potential as
usually so it is responsibility of management team for giving training and development facility.
In addition to this, superior authority of managing subordinate should review performance of
employees on continuous basis. In turn improved efforts can be derived. BA management should
contribute some efforts for enhancing productivity in pandemic by implementing HR strategies
like performance evaluation & appraisal technique, talent management, etc.
Lack of communication
In order to obtain better performance company should ensure that miscommunication
should be removed (Wæraas and Dahle, 2020). Increased effectiveness of connection with
workers help firm to explain employees regarding company's expectations for objectives
fulfilment. British Airways’ biggest challenge is solving inappropriate connecting system as
subordinates need to have proper information regarding each flights landing and taking off

details. Lack of these data can result in dissatisfactory customer services which in turn lead to
declination of sales. Line management can take actions like establishing clear norms,
expectations and feedback mechanism for improving adverse communication system.
Poor Teamwork
Lack of collaborative practices is seen in time of frequent performance of individual task.
The purpose for working in team should be described by manager so that improved team
outcome can be achieved. It reduces the pressure of completing task by taking whole
responsibility as it segregates the risk. LM of BA can utilize strategies such as communicating
mission statement, rewarding teamwork, identifying individual strengths, etc. In addition to this,
the crisis period’s negative impact can be decreased by establishing mentioned collaborative
working culture with adoption of these methods.
Managing security risk
In business activities of BA there is requirement of personal details of clients for
security purpose. Threat of in appropriate data utilization by employees can be the biggest issue
that company suffers (Knies, Leisink and Van De Schoot, 2020). Protecting the required data
through installing encrypted technologies by IT department of organization can save firm from
indulging into illegal activities. Line management of firm can take precautions for saving
essential information through advance security marinating protocols.
Time Management
Non fitting working culture, de motivation, lack of collaboration, low morale
engagement diverts the concentration of subordination from completion of duties. It results in
delay completion of task which reduces effectiveness of organization (Knies and Leisink, 2018).
British airway as being part of aviation sector requires giving outcome in specified duration. For
developing lacking areas human resource strategies that need to take into implementation by line
management of organization includes prioritization, segregation, clarifying roles &
responsibilities, etc.
Weak Workplace Culture
There are various precautions that every type of organization has to take to deal with
pandemic environment. In order to have better working culture motivating and encouraging
people becomes essential. Employee engagement, loyalty and commitment while taking risk of
line during performing task on workplace is difficult to handle. BA’s employees may feel low

morale in case of inappropriate working culture. Line management should overcome this
problem by developing circumstances that provide feasibility and convenience to subordinations
to perform their duties with encouragement. Providing monetary a swell no financial benefits
plays role in enhancing enthusiasm to give full potential while optimizing skills, knowledge and
experience.
Describing knowledge, skills and behaviour for being an effective people manager
It can be understand as soft attributes that differs from situation to circumstances.
Organization is formulated from different ages, backgrounds, and opinions so ensuring that every
member of firm is encouraged and engaged while conducting business activities. BA’s is
complex business structure that comprises various different people in all departments in turn
helps company to achieve its mission & vision. Creating such as environment that not only
enhance productivity but also provide capability to deal with unforeseen challenges. The
essential tactics that people manger should possess are as below:
Patience
The crucial skill that aid manager to understand overall scenario of performance and
evaluating it to take right decisions. Manager is considered to be responsible for positive or
negative outcome of business activities therefore he should keep in mind that reaction should
give favourable result (Hoffman and Tadelis, 2021). British airways’ manager can gain this by
maintaining cool personality that can build good employee relationship. In addition to this, it will
make employees to feel comfortable for sharing their problems.
Good communication
Another attribute that a manager to be more effective while initiating, developing and
monitoring any task of business. It is important for organization to be clear regarding decisions
policies and strategies made so that proper instructions can be given. The mentioned company
manager needs to adapt for having transparency and clarity regarding its objectives, goals, vision
& mission.
Honesty and Positivity
It’s up to manager that attitude developed by employees is positive or negative. Being a
manger of company for managing human resource that is crucial part on which growth &
development is dependent is properly guided with honesty and integrity or not. True feedback
regarding improvement motivates employees to contribute properly with applying corrective

modifications. Making sure that truth, integrity, ethical practices will always be awarded. British
Airway can attain competitive advantage by implementing this behaviour into operational
activities.
Problem solving Skill
The current scenario of industry has facing cut throat competition so it becomes essential
to overcome challenges. There are various internal as well external issues that subordinate face
on daily basis. In order to handle these grievances crtical problem solving skill is required.
Different industry has varying issues that need specialisation for tacking in effectual pattern
(Blštáková and et.al., 2020). BA may face complex barriers that can stop it to get into desire
position. Furthermore, company need to acquire manager that has knowledge and experience of
converting adverse situation into positive.
Trustworthiness
If the employees trust manager that he will consider their problem they share every inside
information with him. There are numerous problems that a subordinate face while getting adjust
with changing circumstances. It is responsibility of line manager to provide base through which
transparency can be maintained (6 People Management Tips That Will Make You a Better
Manager, 2021). In addition to this, when as a supervisor you show trust to employees better
performance can be obtained. This permits subordinates to use delegation of authority and
establish creative working style.
Ability to encourage
LM should spend time in identifying, evaluating and controlling prevailing situation. It
helps company to get evaluation of the current outcome accurately. Once the present
environment regarding performance of subordinates is assessed the suitable course of actions that
can improve it can be taken (Schweyer, 2018). The manager should have ability to influence
worker and convenes them to do what they are not willing to pursue. British airways can get
more productive employees by having this ability in line manager.
Explaining HR process underpin and how it support in effective Performance Management
Human resource process is implementation of various strategies for effective worker
relation, performance and experience. With respect to this, HR process comprises recruitment,
selection, hiring, training & development, performance management, employee relation, etc.

There are several process and strategies which can be utilized for performance management of
BA. The procedure that can be followed in order to achieve PM are as follows:
Performance planning
Preparing priority is crucial which can be exerted by establishing clear goals, objective in
turn better understanding of standard outcome. The organizational goal should be divided into
each individual objective so detailed performance planning can be done. British airways in
Pandemic may utilize this to ensure that proper structural planning can formulated which lead to
better job productivity, profitability, etc.
Facilitate training programs
The next step is after proper planning is implementing new training structure which
might derive estimated result (What is effective performance management system? 2021). It is
directly linked with human resource manager’s leadership style that play significant role in
influencing positive morale of employees. Different task requires distinct skills for completion in
effectual way. Moreover, ensuring that suitable coaching is provided to subordinates of BA for
overcoming lacking areas.
Evaluating & communicating performance feedback
Review should involve both recognition of strength as well weakness that need
improvement and more modifications. With respect to this, further plans can be build in turn
modified outcome can be derived (Kakkar and et.al., 2020). These planning should be clear,
measurable and concise than prior. It will provide assistance to subordinate and company to get
personal development along with organizational growth of BA. This is considered to be standard
and continuous procedure for achieving effective PM. In addition to this, the usage of this HR
process will support in case of crisis where monitoring through mainating proper precautions for
health can be done.
It provides platform to both employer & employee for engagement through with detailed
elements can be addressed. For supporting effective performance management these strategies
can be used by British Airways along with this procedure. Defining and communicating aviation
industry’s goals & objectives to workers through utilizing various advanced technological
devices (Bjurstrøm, 2020). Frequent efforts evaluation and appraisal aids business subordinated
to get motivation for optimizing required skills & attributes. Furthermore, job security, selective
hiring, forming selective teams for specific task, making information easily accessible, acquiring

relevant skills, utilization of advanced software, removing compliance issues, etc contribute in
sharing full efforts for betterment. Promoting diversity, prioritizing quality, retaining
subordinates create loyalty, involvement, commitment, etc. also play role in getting strategic
direction. Conducting regular meetings can also assist in discussing lacking functional areas that
require improvement for gaining long term sustainability.
RECOMMENDATION
 It is recommended that people management should adopt proper communication channel
via establishing appropriate structure. In addition to this, subordinates will get
transparency regarding their duties which will lead to effective organizational
performance
 It is advisable to British airways to implement managerial skills in valuable pattern so
line management problems can be handled and overcome both internal as well external
challenges. This will help organization’s management to convert unproductive
environment into optimization of resources.
 This is suggested to HR of business to align talent, business strategies with both external
as well internal elements in turn personal & organizational objectives can be achieved.
 Human resource practices such as training & development, performance identification
and evaluation, talent management, formulation of healthy working culture, feedback
mechanism, compensation development programs, etc. should be developed so that better
operational activities of BA can be conducted. It will improve the adverse situation
prevailing in current scenario by motivating subordinates enthusiasm.
CONCLUSION
From the above report it can be concluded that people management is essential for gaining
competitive advantages. The report has described contemporary issues which creates barrier
in achieving success. It includes lack of communication, declined performance, inferior
collaborative work, security risk, etc. In addition to this, the report has given emphasis on
people manager skills such as patience, positivity, integrity, effectual communicating skill,
problem solving, analytical, trustworthiness attributes for effective practices. Present case
study has shown performance management process that comprise planning, coaching, and
reviewing system. It has also stated strategies that support people management to drive

desirable end outcome. Current report has given recommendation which includes HR
practices like talent management, healthy working culture, etc.

REFERENCES
Books and Journals
Bjurstrøm, K. H., 2020. Principal–agent or principal–steward: how ministry–agency relations
condition the impact of performance management in the steering of
government agencies. Public Performance & Management Review. 43(5).
pp.1053-1077.
Blštáková, J and et.al., 2020. Reflection of Digitalization on Business Values: The Results of
Examining Values of People Management in a Digital Age. Sustainability.
12(12). p.5202.
Hoffman, M. and Tadelis, S., 2021. People management skills, employee attrition, and manager
rewards: An empirical analysis. Journal of Political Economy. 129(1).
pp.000-000.
Kakkar, S. and et.al., 2020. Engaging employees through effective performance management: an
empirical examination. Benchmarking: An International Journal.
Knies, E. and Leisink, P., 2018. People management in the public sector. In HRM in mission
driven organizations (pp. 15-46). Palgrave Macmillan, Cham.
Knies, E., Leisink, P. and Van De Schoot, R., 2020. People management: developing and testing
a measurement scale. The International Journal of Human Resource
Management. 31(6). pp.705-737.
Schweyer, A., 2018. Predictive analytics and artificial intelligence in people
management. Incentive Research Foundation. pp.1-18.
Wæraas, A. and Dahle, D. Y., 2020. When reputation management is people management:
Implications for employee voice. European management journal. 38(2).
pp.277-287.
Online
6 People Management Tips That Will Make You a Better Manager. 2021. [Online]. Available
through: <https://lattice.com/library/6-people-management-tips-that-will-
make-you-a-bette>
What is effective performance management system? 2021. [Online]. Available through:
https://www.clearreview.com/resources/guides/what-is-effective-
performance-management/