Comprehensive HRM Report: Squire's Garden Centre, Business Strategy

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices at Squire's Garden Centre. It begins with an introduction to HRM functions and their importance to the organization, considering the size and nature of the business. The report then delves into the advantages and disadvantages of Squire's current recruitment and selection methods, comparing them with alternative approaches. A significant portion of the report focuses on the development of a job description and person specification for a Customer Services Assistant role, including a sample advertisement and recommendations for additional recruitment mediums and interview questions. The report also explores the benefits of offering apprenticeships to both the organization and potential apprentices, alongside discussions on employee development opportunities and reward systems. Furthermore, it examines the importance of employee engagement and recommends strategies to enhance worker engagement within Squire's, concluding with a review of UK employment legislations that influence HRM decision-making.

HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT

TABLE OF CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1 (LO 1)................................................................................................................................1
a) Purpose of HR function and its importance to organisation, given the size and nature of
business and its plans..............................................................................................................1
b) Advantages and disadvantages of current recruitment and selection methods used by the
organisation comparing with other methods..........................................................................2
TASK 2 (LO 4)................................................................................................................................3
a) Job description and person specification for a customer services assistant.......................3
b) Advertisement for customer service assistant role on Squire's website.............................5
c) Recommending one other medium that is appropriate for this vacancy with justification 5
d) Minimum 4 questions that are asked in interview for Customer Services Assistant that
improves the selection decision making process....................................................................6
TASK 3 (LO 2)................................................................................................................................6
a) Benefits of Squire's offering apprenticeships to both the organisation and potential
apprentices..............................................................................................................................6
b) Development opportunities available to employees..........................................................7
C) Range of rewards and benefits available to staff and the extent to which these motivate
employees and help to retain talented staff............................................................................8
TASK 4 (LO 3)................................................................................................................................9
a) Employee engagement and its importance to employee relations.....................................9
b) Recommending ways to engage workers more effectively within Squires.....................10
c) UK employment legislations which influence human resource decision making............11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Human resource management deals with different issues that are faced by employees in
the organisation. These issues are related with compensation, performance management,
business development, safety, wellness, training, etc. Therefore, HRM plays a strategic role to
manage several people to maintain workplace culture and environment (Ojokuku, Sajuyigbe and
Ogunwoye, 2014). Present study is based on Squire's Garden Centre which is a medium sized
and family owned enterprise. They started their operations from 1936 and expanded to promote
more desired level of results in a systematic manner. With respect to gain insight of present
report, it covers HR functions and its importance in the business. Furthermore, it includes job
description and person specification for Customer Services Assistant role. Moreover,
development opportunities will be explained that are available for employees.
TASK 1 (LO 1)
a) Purpose of HR function and its importance to organisation, given the size and nature of
business and its plans
Human resource management determines several responsibilities which are considered in
three categories such as staffing, employee satisfaction and benefits. It defines and designs to
perform several tasks to increase productivity of the enterprise as per its effectiveness which is
developed in Squires. They deal in different kinds of functions such as cafe, gardening advice,
etc. (Quinlan, Babin and Griffin, 2019). Therefore, they require a large size to promote more
desired results at workplace.
Purpose of HR function Internal customer management: In Squires, there are several purposes of HR function
which assists to increase their productivity. In this way, quality of employees increases
successfully. It can be defined as implementation of process and policies that assist to
attract, recruit and retain quality workforce (Guillén, Mayo and Karelaia, 2018).
 Laws: Further, purpose of HR function is to implement appropriate laws that assist to hire
and terminate employees to involve and understand them to state appropriate laws.
Hence, Squires must consider retirement plans, benefits and conflict resolution that fall
within human resource manager domain.
Functions of HRM
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 Recruitment and selection: Recruitment is the process of captivating, screening and
selecting potential as well as qualified candidates on the basis of objective criteria in a
particular job. In Squires, proper staffing plans are created with forecasting of staff
members that depend on the annual budget. Orientation: It is one of the important functions that are provided by Squires to their new
employees. This program is considered to accomplish the aim and objectives. Hence,
long and short term goals are accomplished in business (Bhattacharyya, 2017).
 Maintain healthy working conditions: Another important function of HRM is to
maintain healthy working conditions. In this way, it is the main responsibility to provide
good working conditions to motivate employees in Squires.
Importance of HR function to the organisation Objective: HR of Squires considers objective to achieve their outcomes from time to time
which creates a positive attitude among workers. Hence, it reduces the wastage and
making maximum use of resources in Squires. Facilitates professional growth: With the help of appropriate HR policies, employee’s
get trained well for future development (Kavanagh and Johnson, 2017). As a result,
currently it assists Squires to make high growth among employees.
 Better relations between union and management: HR function also assists in the
selected business to make co-ordinal relationship. Union members start realising that
company is interested among workers to increase the chances to reduce failure.
b) Advantages and disadvantages of current recruitment and selection methods used by the
organisation comparing with other methods
Recruitment and selection are most important part of every business. In this
consideration, following methods used:
Internal recruitment method (Promotion)
In internal recruitment method, Squires develop relationship between employees and
firm. Squires is using promotion method in which they upgrade their employee’s position
through lower to higher. In this regard, more responsibilities, remuneration, etc. given to them.
However, from other method such as transfer, present employees, it is far better because it assists
to improve morale and no error in selection. Loyalty of existing people in promotion make
secured to staff members (Quinlan, Babin and Griffin, 2019).
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Advantages
 Less cost occurs
 Easy way of recruitment
Disadvantages
 Lack of discipline
 Lack of new ideas and opinion
External selection method (Advertisement)
In this consideration, Squires consider advertisement method of recruitment in which
skilled workers selected with advertisement in newspapers and professional journals. Good
advertisement has been prepared towards specific tasks in the business. On the other hand, there
are several other methods such as employment exchange, school, college and universities of
selection. Advertisement is much better because alternative options in front of Squires exist
(Kavanagh and Johnson, 2017).
Advantages
 External source of selection method assists to bring new ideas from outside sources that
create several benefits in the firm.
 This method of selection prove that it is economical because new people may be already
trained.
Disadvantages
 New people sometime feel demoralised in front of existing people.
 With advertisement, new people attracted so that lack of co-operation can be seen among
existing and new staff members (Armstrong and Taylor, 2014).
TASK 2 (LO 4)
a) Job description and person specification for a customer services assistant
Job Description
Customer Services Assistant
Overview:
To helps front of department of Squires with working across the whole enterprise. In addition to
this, they must also create unique experiences for audience and smooth running performance to
deliver customer attraction again and again.
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Main duties and responsibilities
Customer service
 To display higher standard of customer care at all times.
 Welcoming customers in polite way and pay attention to accomplish their needs. To respond very quickly with positive consideration.
Finance and sales
 Offer sales service to all customers in their performance with include programme,
merchandise, etc.
 Payment and changes also need to be required that ensure accuracy of each transaction.
 Seeking opportunities to up sell and cross sell.
Person specification
Attributes Description Essential/desirable
Experiences,
knowledge and skills
 Relevant
experience
with consider
wide range of
relevant
information
regarding
customers
 Excellent
verbal and
written
communication
skills
 Knowledge of
market trends
and customer
demand
 E
 E
 D
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Qualifications  Management
degree and
course for
additional
customer
service
 D
Symphony values  Collaboration
 Customer
service
 Flexibility
 Integrity
 Responsibilitie
s
 E
 E
 E
 D
 D
b) Advertisement for customer service assistant role on Squire's website
Job Advertisement
CUSTOMER SERVICE ASSISTANT
Our growing Squires is looking for skilled person to join our organisation as Customer
Service Assistant. We require an enthusiastic individual who listens the issues of customers and
offers unique and innovative solution to each problem. Successful candidate for this role needs
a strong command on customer service policies and must be well trained in product knowledge
to offer quick and accurate assistance.
c) Recommending one other medium that is appropriate for this vacancy with justification
Apart from advertisement on website, Squires can also use television advertisement. It
must require time and efforts for the organisation. It is the best way to fill vacant job and
promote business as well. This type of advertisement specially develop programming to look
upon talented individual. Support services are also accountable in certain areas to target the
employees (Glendon and Clarke, 2015). This is because, there are several customers who visit
television so that it would be helpful perspective to attain desired level of efficiency. For
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instance, house wife, young age children, etc. They are majorly looking television so that the
chosen organisation has option to use it and consider an appropriate vacancy.
d) Minimum 4 questions that are asked in interview for Customer Services Assistant that
improves the selection decision making process
Following questions must be asked in interview for customer services assistant to
improve selection decision making process:
 Describe what customer service means to you.
 What will you do when customer is unhappy with products or services of our company?
 How to help a customer when you do not understand the particular situation?
 What customer service tools do you have experience with?
TASK 3 (LO 2)
a) Benefits of Squire's offering apprenticeships to both the organisation and potential apprentices
Apprenticeship training helps employees and organisation in positive context. With this
regard, training helps to improve their skills and ability which is beneficial to Squires to match it
with future needs.
Benefits of apprenticeship to the employees Provide skilled workers for the future: With the help of apprenticeship training,
employees are able to improve their skills that are beneficial for long term results. It also
ensures skills developed matched with future needs of Squires. It fills skills gaps and
allow the enterprise to source for future managers and leaders of the business (Quinlan,
Babin and Griffin, 2019). It increases staff loyalty and retention: Employees of Squires get trained which tend to
highly motivated and committed to the company. It is supportive for accomplishing the
business objectives. It encourages people to stay with the enterprise for longer. As
recruitment cost reduces so, offering apprenticeship among existing members of staff
shows that it is integral part of workforce.
 Free up existing staff time: When business grows, staff often and find time to take
smaller tasks to concentrate on key areas of work. It delegates basic jobs to an apprentice
that allow learning and take responsibilities. Better allocation of work also make
productive results.
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Benefits of apprenticeship to organisation Grow team while keeping staff costs down: With respect to implement apprenticeship in
Squires, they can easily reduce cost of operations and develop team. It assists to develop
significant advantages which are beneficial to produce effectiveness in appropriate
manner. On the basis of working, they can easily regulate performance which ascertained
productivity of the organisation. Make hiring simpler and cheaper: With the help of high quality training, simpler and
cheaper work consider in appropriate manner. It assists to accomplish entire process in
systematic manner. Recruitment an apprentice, customising training programme, access
fund assists to deal with innovative characteristics (Al Ariss, Cascio and Paauwe, 2014).
 Give new skills and energy in the organisation: Apprenticeship also assists to develop
new skills and energy in the enterprise which is beneficial to whole business. In this
regard, it is important to guide with innovative characteristics. Therefore, target market
will able to increasing and attractive option for employers.
b) Development opportunities available to employees
Every employee wants to increase his/her growth in business so that they are trying to
increase their skills which provided in the enterprise. Opportunities determines for promotion
and internal career development in Squires. Furthermore, employee engagement in the business
operations and functions also assists to make growth and development in following manner: Advancement and promotion: In Squires, closer look is needed which assists to make
surrounding growth and development. With this regard, it can be stated that employees in
Squires attach with their perceptions and increase opportunities for growth and
promotion. It also assists to increased pay and advancement prospects. It also assists to
workers to develop career developing and promotions to see and give growth as
development opportunities (Bakker and Demerouti, 2014). Training and skill
development appear in effective manner so that it perceived with opportunities for growth
and development. Advancement and promotions can be likely because succession
planning also consider with employee engagement with fewer opportunities.
 Focus on other aspects of employee growth: There are several numbers of organisation
maintained with high score that perceive for development opportunities throughout
economic downturn. Key is one of the important aspect that assists to maintain
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opportunities with simple promotion and growth. Hence, communication also regularly
update in systematic manner. Succession planning also develop opportunities at wide
level of the business. It helps in Squires to conduct meetings and increase program that
consider through small promotions, payment increment and advancement (Ojokuku,
Sajuyigbe and Ogunwoye, 2014).
C) Range of rewards and benefits available to staff and the extent to which these motivate
employees and help to retain talented staff
There are several ways to give rewards and benefits to staff members through they are
motivated and assists to retain talented people. In Squires, employee rewards and benefits refers
to retirement plans, health life insurance, holiday, etc.
Types of rewards and benefits Incentives: In this consideration, Squires provide different types of incentives which
encourages staff members to do their work properly in systematic manner. With this
regard, they can also look for financial benefits that are available to do work with
motivation. Insurance: Insurance is one of the important part through staff members are encourages
with different scheme and plan that are related with their life and other family members.
It assists to cover costs and prefer choice of employers. For instance: health plan, LIC,
etc. (Brewster and Hegewisch, 2017).
 Holiday: Holiday is considers as motivation to encourage employees of the organisation
to do their work in desired manner. It assists to pay proper attention towards employees
in Squires.
Range of reward and benefits are explained under here: Engage people in company's values: In order to support employees, manager of the
organisation must implement correctly, employee benefits that assists to support with
engage them in company's value (Deery and Jago, 2015). Within Squires, benefits
considered to provide employees with increases security of economic and assists them to
feel valued in whole business. Recruitment and retention across the enterprise: Furthermore, employee benefits can be
generate in range of business benefits (Gupta and Shaw, 2014). In this regard, better rates
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of recruitment and retention across the enterprise develop with high level of employee
engagement. Hence, they can easily accomplish return with several investments. Health and well-being benefits: Employee benefits can be determines financial benefits
in Squires in term of pension, mortgage advice, health and well-being benefits, etc. This
can be done through private medical insurance. As a result, employees are encourages
towards systematic working to retain talented people (Bringezu and Bleischwitz, 2017). Flexible benefits: Employee benefits can also made through availability of flexibility in
variety of ways. Core benefits consider to provide flexible working hours and other
things to retain them as a talented staff. The selected business choose to offer
combination of core and flexible benefits which assists to engage people with different
benefits. More control over the choice also develop to control costs in an effective
manner (Glendon and Clarke, 2015).
 Total reward statement: Total reward system concept also determines as view where all
elements of package and understand to consider full value in effective way. It assists to
increase benefits of investment that are made by employers.
TASK 4 (LO 3)
a) Employee engagement and its importance to employee relations
Employee engagement is extent in which staff members feel passionate for their job.
They are also committed in the enterprise to put discretionary efforts into work. In Squires, it is
defined as to work together with involvement to observe and tend to maintain relationship. It is
directly proportional to maintain employee’s relationship. This helps to engrossed in business
work to maintain better relationship among them (Bamberger, Meshoulam and Biron, 2014).
Following are certain importance to employee relations with their engagement: Open communication: Employee engagement consider main importance is that open
communication. Therefore, it helps to build effective employee relationship because it
encourages to spend more time to do work with comfortable environment. Great way to
keep communication maintain safety environment and share thoughts and ideas among
employees. Show recognition: Simple gestures of thank so that long way which would be beneficial
with apprenticeship and gratitude. Therefore, employees of Squires with truth reinforcing
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good work and it inspires them to keep it up. Public praise is also considered as a great
way that helps to inspire rest of team of the enterprise. Rewarding team properly
cultivated culture with appreciation between employee and manager (Shriar, 2017).
 Constant feedback: Offering constant feedback also main importance with employee
engagement. It assists to create great work and constructive criticism to improve
nurturing and positive relationship in team. Employees requires feedback to learn and
grow appropriate working (Snell, Morris and Bohlander, 2015). Frequent feedback
session highly appreciated in Squires.
b) Recommending ways to engage workers more effectively within Squires
There are several ways recommend in Squires to engage workers in the business: Defining roles: In Squires, employees work with each other to keep appropriate working.
In this regard, manager must assign roles in whole team as per qualifications, interest and
knowledge (Quinlan, Babin and Griffin, 2019). It plays very important role to focus and
building deep relationship with high value. Furthermore, it also assists to set short and
long term targets as per business requirements. Setting objectives: With respect to engage workers, Squires should set their objectives.
Specific roles defined and established to track results that are achieved in appropriate
manner. In order to increase sales, client perception must be measure that is necessary to
actually building deep and intimate relationship (5 Simple Ways to Really Engage
Employees, 2018).
 Reviewing performance: Squires also requires to review performance regularly. In a
team, all people must review results with each objective that set for them and define
appropriate action plan to fill performance gaps (Kavanagh and Johnson, 2017).
Engaging employees effectively also assists to the business to accomplish their targets
consistency and discipline of individual leaders who are working in team.
c) UK employment legislations which influence human resource decision making
In UK, there are different employment legislations consider that influence human
resource decision making. They are as follows: Sex discrimination act 1975: According to this act, Squires has no right to discrimination
as per sex, gender. Therefore, commission establish rules and regulations to maintain
equality as opportunity between men and women for related purposes. In human resource
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