Human Resource Management Report: HRM Practices at Chocola Fantastica

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of human resource management (HRM) practices, focusing on Chocola Fantastica and Microsoft. The report begins with an introduction to HRM and its significance, followed by an examination of recruitment and selection methods, including their strengths, weaknesses, and potential improvements. Section 1 delves into the core purposes of the HR function and its importance to organizations, specifically in the context of Chocola Fantastica. It evaluates current selection methods, identifies weaknesses, and suggests enhancements. Section 2 applies these concepts by creating a person specification for a receptionist role, analyzing job advertisement methods, and recommending alternative approaches. Section 3 explores graduate training schemes, flexible working arrangements, and job design for employee motivation. Section 4 examines employee engagement, communication strategies, and the impact of UK employment legislation on HR decision-making. The report concludes with a summary of findings and recommendations for improving HRM practices. The report is a valuable resource for students studying HRM.

HUMAN
RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION .....................................................................................................................................4
SECTION – 1 (LO – 1)..............................................................................................................................4
a)Chief purpose of HR function & its significance to the firm ..........................................................4
b)Strength as well as weakness of current selection methods .........................................................6
c)Potential improvements for the selection process ........................................................................6
SECTION – 2 APPLICATION (LO – 4)........................................................................................................7
a)Person specification for the role of “Receptionist”.........................................................................7
b)Pros and cons of present method of advertising job within ‘Chocola Fantastica’..........................8
c)Recommendation of the other place for job advertisement for receptionist vacancy ...................9
SECTION – 3 (LO – 2)............................................................................................................................10
a)Evaluation of benefits of graduate training schemes and internship to employees and employer
.........................................................................................................................................................10
b)Flexible working arrangements and its benefits to employees and employer .............................11
c)Motivation to workers through designing the job role ................................................................12
SECTION – 4 (LO – 3)............................................................................................................................13
a)Employee engagement and its significance in employee relation ..............................................13
b)Approaches related to employee engagement discussed in summit and their contribution in
improving communication ..............................................................................................................14
c)Elements of UK employment legislation and their impact on human resource decision making
.........................................................................................................................................................14
CONCLUSION ......................................................................................................................................15
REFERENCES ........................................................................................................................................16

INTRODUCTION
Human resource management is one of the most important strategic approach using to
manage people in effective manner in an organisation that they are very much important to
achieve competitive advatnage. These resources are continuously making efforts for
accomplishing the set targets of the business. In HRM various activities and practices
combined to satisfy the essential requirements of employees so that they can give their best in
organisational as well as individual development (Crawshaw, 2014). Therefore, the rule
purpose of human resource management is to support the company to achieve its target by
hiring, retaining and managing the representatives effectively. This report is based on the
critical evaluation of the HRM and various practices used by chocola Fantastica with
Microsoft . The report will be divided into two sections wherein the first section will manage
the circumstance of the firm which is involved into the business of tailored made chocolate
based greeting cards all over the United Kingdom. As a human resource officer of the
association, assorted staffing as well as selection approaches and the crucial purpose for
human resource function will be evaluated effectively. The second portion of the report will
focus on Microsoft and its human resource management practices. Noteworthiness of
employee relation and employee legislation will be surveyed in the present study.
SECTION – 1 (LO – 1)
Chief purpose of HR function & its significance to the firm
‘Chocola Fantastica’ is engaged into the business of tailored made chocolate based
greeting cards and thus, includes various departments such as production, human resource,
marketing, finance, and packaging and distribution section. Human resource management in
‘Chocola Fantastica’ has few purposes. In all of these factors are very much important for the
progresss and management of the most important asset of organisation that are workforce
(Farndale, Scullion and Sparrow, 2010). Furthermore, the HRM also intends to plan and
develop its labourers and supports in utilizing the available resources present within the
organization in a perfect world. The main aim and goal is to enlarge business opportunities by
giving proper knowledge and skills to the potential workers by determining goal adn
objectives to remain competitive in marketplace. By using various kinds of tools and
techniques, methodology to select and retain personnel in organisation.
Moreover, the human resource function also acts as a backbone for the success of the
whole organization. Effective designing of resources is required to be done for accomplishing
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targets in any kind of business. This can be achieved through its people. Some of the most
vital and crucial function of HR in ‘Chocola Fantastica’ are being described below:
 Recruitment and selection – Recruitment as well as selection is the most basic
function of HR in the firm (Clark, 2010). It helps the firm to have efficient workers in
place by making use of different tactics such as internal and external advertisement,
interviews, evaluation tests etc.
 Human resource planning – This is again one of the crucial function which helps in
evaluating the demand and supply of the human capital within the corporation for
future. Seeking help from HR planning function, company can make plan about the
needed workforce ahead of time and the other operations are not affected as right
people are appointed at right time and place.
 Compensation and other advantages – Within the ‘Chocola Fantastica’,
compensation, rewards and other benefits are being offered to the workers in order to
motivate them to achieve higher performance level (Zhao and Liden, 2011). The
manager of the company makes sure that each and every employee gets some or the
other benefits adequately. Training and improvement – With the help of this function, firm improves the
existing skills level of the workers and makes them more proficient for future work.
Areas that needs to be improved are determined by the managers and training topics
are planned based on that needs.
 Performance management – This function holds more significance as through
performance management function managers can estimate and measure the inputs and
outputs of the employees. Based on their results, rewards and incentives are being
offered to them. Further, if any deviation is found in the performance of the workers
than corrective actions are also taken immediately (Caldwell, 2012).
Current problems within ‘Chocola Fantastica’
Currently, the firm is facing the issue of high number of vacancies in the production
and administration department. Further, the new recruits of the company are also failing in
their probationary period. Some of the employees are also complaining and doubting about
the fairness of the selection methods being adopted by the firm. All this situation, clearly
depicts that the human resource management function has not adopted the right methods and
techniques for selecting applicants. Their assessment tests are also not efficient enough in
recruiting right candidate for the right job position.
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Future plans for upcoming growth
It is vital for the HRM function of the firm to deal with situation effectively by
developing plans and strategies. There is a need of making arrangement in regards with
maintenance, team work, motivation and collaboration (Edenborough, 2005). In addition to
this, it is also important for ‘Chocola Fantastica’ to alter or revise their selection methods.
Effective training and development events should be planned for augmenting the skill level of
the existing employees. It is important for the firm to make use of written tests and other
aptitude tests for analysing the competencies of the applicants.
Strength as well as weakness of current selection methods
Present selection
techniques
Strengths Weaknesses
Assessment test on
English
This method helps in finding
out the suitability of the
applicant for various vacant
jobs in the firm effectively
However, the inferences being
drawn from the tests are
sometimes not reliable and
candidates might not be judged
properly
Reference check
It helps to validate the resume
information by verify the
candidate have job
experience adn skills that
they claim. (Foster, 2016)
Sometimes past employer can
give misleading information of
the worker who is leaving the
job position
Informal interview
chat
This method is considered as
very flexible and comfortable
method. It is in fact an
interactive way and valid
method as well. It involves
informal conversation
between the manager and the
applicant concerning with the
job.
It is a lengthy process and there
are chances that interview might
divert to some other topics
(Reddy, 2018).
Potential improvements for the selection process
After considering the strength, weaknesses as well as current position of the company,
it can be concluded that the presently ‘Chocola Fantastica’ has not adopted right and adequate
techniques for selecting candidates for the required job positions. Pertaining to this, the firm
is not in a position to manage the rising level of unemployment and staff turnover in the
company. To eliminate the above mentioned problem organisation have to choose the another
method to select and retain one of best employee such as by conducting psychometric and
otehr kind of aptitude tests (Dessler and Teicher, 2004). By adopting all these methods,
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‘Chocola Fantastica’ will find themselves in the position where they will have suitable
candidate for the vacant job position. Other than this, it is also required to add some
behavioural questions in informal interview chat so as to ascertain the thinking process of the
applicants. Based on their answers, suitable candidate should be examined and selected.
Approaches of recruitment:
There are two kinds of approaches of recruitment that are as follows:
Internal recruitment:
Internal recruitment is the process regarding filling the vacancies within a business
from their existing manpower. There are some advantages and disadvantages that are as
follows:
Advantages:
 It increases employee morale and retention that employees can achieve the room for
improvement for advanvement and appreciation while well done.
 People who get the opportuntity have chances taht they transit into new role that
enhances their skills and capabilities.
Disadvantage:
 The major disadvantage that internal recruitment provides limited choice regarding
selecting one of best candidate that limit the organisational profitability and
enhancement.
 Somtimes it creates faciourism that creates wide gaps in employees while perform
their works and practices.
External recruitment:
External recruitment consist of assessment of the present large no. Of candidates
rather than the existing work force to check they are sufficiently skilled or qualified to
perform the existing job role in proper manner. There are some advantages and disadvantage
that are as follows:
Advantages:
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External recruitment enhance chances of new and fresh workforce in the organisation
and they collectively contribute in organisational development.
It bring out new and fresh talent in the organisation that helps in enhance competitiveness in
the business environment.
Disadvantage:
It takes too much cost and time to recruit and select one of best and ptential
candidates within the organisation.
With person have lomited knowledge about the organisation taht hinders their self interest
while contributing in organisational development and enhancement.
SECTION – 2 APPLICATION (LO – 4)
Person specification for job role of “Receptionist”
Title of job: Receptionist
Recruitment Manager: Human Resource manager
Department: Administration
Reporting to : Administration Manager
Data: August 2019
Needed Qualification  To become one of
competent receptionist
national vocational
qualification is obligatory
in context of chocola
Fantastica.
 To give one of effective
services it is very much
potential to have some
specialised courses with
kinds of certificates such as
skills to manage and
coordiante the human
resource and deliver
messages to potential
person (Job Analysis
Methods, 2018)
Required Familiarity  To become a receptionist
the minimum of 2 years
experience in the respective
field is obligatory.
 In addition to experience of
grieveneces handling in
proper manner is also very
much potential.
Specific characteristics and
conduct
 Basic knowledge of data
and computer handling.
 Have the potential
knowledge regarding
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 Capable to manage the time
properly (Bailey and et.al,
2018)
 potential communication
and conflict resolving
skills.
resolving grievances and
issues to remain always
competitive in the market.
To select one of best receptionist in context of chocola Fantastica they firstly short list
the candidates with the help of their resume by accessing their skills and capabilities by
matching with organisational requirements. After that they schedule interview session for
verifying their capabilities in proper manner. After that they check the reference to gain
important insighs about an individual in proper manner. So they opt one of best selection
method or way to select and retain one of competitive staff members for the organisation.
Behind selecting respective method of selection organisation can check the communication
and leadership ability of an individual to gain competitive advantage. So it can be said that
chosen selection method proved beneficial for respective organisation.
Pros and cons of present method of advertising job within ‘Chocola Fantastica’
To select and retain one of best employees in context of chocola fantastica they have
to spread knowledge and information in both the internally and externally. In internally they
give information about the vacancy to their employees so that they can communicate with
their family and friends. On other hand externally they publish on the physical noticeboard
that help to communicate in proper manner. All methods have some advantages and
disadvantages that are as follows:
The method of job
advertisement used
by organization
Pros Cons
Internal job
advertisement
through circular
 The main advantage of
internal job advertisement by
circular employees become
motivated to achieve
organizational goals and
objectives frequently and
delicately as they wish to
attain higher post or
designation (Brewster,
2017).
 The another important side
of that internal recruitment
 However, this type of method
comes up with some
limitations as well. If vacancy
is filled up by internal sources
than their will be no assortment
variety, uniqueness as well as
development within ‘Chocola
Fantastica’
 One more drawback of this
method is that the firm will not
be in a position to have
innovative and unique
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method that it not hinders
the works and procedures of
an organization because
employees internally shifted
to higher position that are
not occupied at yet.
thoughts. Same type of
abilities, skills levels and
competencies will be placed to
fill the empty job positions in
the firm (Marchington and
et.al, 2016).
External
advertisement
through public
noticeboards
 In context of Chocola
Fantastica by availing the
external advertisement they
can be able to choose one of
best candidates from the
outside world.
 In that context organization
can be able to select and
retain one of best and
competitive staff members
for the vacant position that
helps to organization in
enhance the productivity
level within the business
environment.
 By using the external mode of
advertisement which is public
noticeboard that are one of
time and resource consuming
and also affected on their
business procedures.
 Further more by using that
method of external
advertisement organization can
be able to select and retain one
of competitive staff members
in positive manner.
Recommendation of the other place for job advertisement for receptionist vacancy
For an organisation it is very much important to select one of most important method
to advertise and spread knowledge to the ultimate consumer base(Ulrich and et.al, 2015). for
that they select two mode of advertising that are internal and external respectively circular
and by notice board on outside the office gate to reach at large no. Of potential clients. After
accessing these methods to communicate and select one of best candidate both in internal and
external environment they build one of best strategies and tactics. So before implementation
of the following strategies organisation have to plan to fill the vacant position for designation
of receptionist in Chocola Fantastica for that one of suitable method is print media. By
publish advertisement in the newspaper and popular magazines they communicate the
suitable message. That tool regarded one of best in context of organisation by reviewing and
publicing the message upto potential candidates. Also it is one of most effective kind of tool
to select and retain one of most frequently spread message.
Further, that techniques proved beneficial to organisation as well as individual to avail
the opportunities to select and retain one of best candidates by effectively monitoring and
evaluating the effects of it on business. Although it is costly in nature but helps to reach at
large no. Of people in positive manner. So they can choose the techniques that is print media
that is one of effective tool to give competition to major rivals that are exist in the business.
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SECTION – 3 (LO – 2)
Evaluation of benefits of graduate training schemes and internship to employees and
employer
A graduate training program is one of the best program that helps tot eliminate the
gaps in performing task and duties in perfect manner. It is one of training program that are
ease to the whole world and able to give necessary skills and competency to become a part of
large team. On other hand internship is a specified period of work that are offered by the
organisation. It helps to give proper eduaction at basic level to remain always competitive in
the marketplace. For an organisation human resource is one of most important and
noteworthy assets in context of Microsoft. It can be only possible by adopting various kinds
of methodologies for build a culture to motivate and retain the employees for the long time.
With the help of internship and graduate training program employees can be able to learn the
new skills and can be able to develop competency simultaneously achieve the higher targets.
Further various functions or role which is perform and implement by HR of Microsoft such
as preparation and progression, evaluate the level of performance and enrolement and
selection and many more by providing graduate training programs adn internship that are
very well known.
By elaborating in volume various kinds of graduate training programs helps to choose
one of best candidates that also proved beneficial for Microsoft to retain competitive staff
members. Wiht the help of graduate training program candidates can be able to find out the
major gaps in performing the functions so that they can fill respective gaps by training
session. That ultimately proved beneficial in future to grab great position in corporate world.
A candidate in different time period can get training and internship opportunities to get
perfection in different fields simultaneously.
Benefits of internship
Benefits to Employer
 One of the major benefit of intership for an employer that it
reduces absteenism in their organisation simultaneously
enhancing level of productivity.
 When an employee should be able to give their best in
organisational as well as individual development they can be
able to build healthy relationship within the firm.
Benefit to Employee
 With the help of internship program learnes can be able to give
their best in organisational development and enhancement to
remain always competitive as they become specialised in
various fields.
 Further apprenticeship program helps to employees to deliver
the skills and capabilties to accomplish the organisational goals
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and objectives in positive manner (Bohlander and Snell, 2012).
Benefits of graduate training scheme
Benefits to Employer
 That kind of training scheme proved beneficial for an
organisation as well as individual to gain one of potential skills
and capabilities simultaneously it helps to firm in achieving
competent staff members.
 By taking the training session employer can be able to select
and retain one of competent staff members at low cost as higher
experienced individual takes high package in comparison to low
experience for same job(Furnham, 2012).
Benefit to Employee
 Training scheme proved beneficial for employees as in
education time they only get theoritical part of it but with help
of that training session they successfully turn it into practical
ways that helps to judge their key interest areas to pursue career
in it.
 By availing the training program employees can be able to get
wide variety of experiences and knowledge and easily
understand the atmosphere of various departments (Hayton,
2012).
Flexible working arrangements and its benefits to employees and employer
Flexible working arrangements refers to the work arrangements in which employees
should be provided greater freedom regarding working scheduling to fulfil the obligations of
their respective position. It is very much potential for an organisation as well as individual to
enhance motivation level and productivity of employees to remain always competitive in the
market. In context of Microsoft they majorly focus on the motivation level of employees by
giving flexible working hours to them. Under flexible working hours various kinds of
approaches used that are work from home, compacted hours, low support work and sharing in
work and many more. That kind of work life balance give motivation to employees in giving
their best to remain always competitive in the marketplace (Harter, 2002). Major organisation
focus on that aspect by delivering the right kind of value to them in positive manner that are
as follows:
Enhance thriving of workers:
The Flexible working hours proved beneficial for employee that they are able to give
their best in organisational as well as individual development as it helps to remain awakened
and strengthening. That ultimately provides them the mental and physical stablity to give
their best.
Augmented leve of gainfulness:
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