Human Resource Management Report: Selection, Training and Motivation

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Human Resource Management (HRM) principles and practices, focusing on the context of two organizations: Chocola Fantastica and Microsoft. The report begins by outlining the core functions of HRM, including recruitment, selection, training, and performance management, and discusses their significance in achieving organizational goals. It then delves into the strengths and weaknesses of various selection methods, such as interviews and assessment tests, offering recommendations for improvement. Furthermore, the report examines the benefits of training schemes and flexible working arrangements for both organizations and employees, while also exploring motivational tactics. The report also covers employee engagement strategies and the impact of UK employment legislation on HR decision-making. The report concludes with a detailed analysis of HRM practices, providing insights into how organizations can optimize their HR functions to enhance performance and achieve competitive advantage.

Human Resource Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
SECTION 1 (LO1)...........................................................................................................................1
A) HR purpose and its function..............................................................................................1
B) Strength and weaknesses of selection method...................................................................2
C) Recommendation for improving selection process...........................................................3
SECTION 2 (LO4)...........................................................................................................................4
A) Person specification...........................................................................................................4
B) job advertisement and its pros and cons............................................................................5
C) Recommendations to be used advertisement for the post of receptionist........................6
SECTION 3 (LO2)..........................................................................................................................7
A) Graduates training scheme and internship that benefits both the organisation and
employee.................................................................................................................................7
B) Range of flexible arrangement for working staff and benefit for both employees and
organisation............................................................................................................................8
C) motivation tactics of Microsoft.........................................................................................9
SECTION 4 (LO3)...........................................................................................................................9
A) Employee engagement......................................................................................................9
B) Employee engagement approaches..................................................................................10
C) Employee legislation of UK and its impact on decision of HR......................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
HRM (Human resource management) is the process of strategic management of
workforce which helps in the achievement of competitive advantage. The activity also involves
hiring, firing, training and developing, compensation, motivation, communication and
administration of personnel. This assignment is based on 2 organisations first is Microsoft
Corporation, it is founded in 1975 deals in developing, manufacturing, supporting and selling
computer software, personal computer, consumer electronics and related service. Chocola
Fantastica, a South Wales, UK based company dealing in Tailormade chocolate based greeting
cards of innovative chocolate flavours and inspired designs.. Study will highlight effectiveness of
Human Resource elements. Furthermore, report will describe benefit and limitation of selection
method of business. Study will explain current job advert methods alone with their advantage ad
disadvantage. Study will prepare personal specification for receptionist post.
SECTION 1 (LO1)
A) HR purpose and its function
HRM aids in managing workers and retaining them in firm (Brewster, Mayrhofer and
Farndale, 2018) . HR department is responsible for creating policies and relationship of
organisation with its employees.
The various HR functions are as follows-
Recruitment and selection
It is the process that attract people and HR selects the right person. The purpose of
recruitment is to attract and increase number of applicants to apply in the organisation.. As the
problem of the company is high labour turnover, effective recruitment helps in the selection of
suitable people for suitable job. As right people will be selected they will work more seriously
with high motivation, and candidates will not leave the organisation. Thus, recruitment helps in
making future plans also(Shen and Benson, 2016). As for future, the company will make a team
of good recruited people, which will help in increasing the productivity of the Chocola Fantastica
Training
It is the process of raising capabilities of person to meet the firm goal. It is for the
development of employees and raising their working abilities. Its agenda is to develop people
and make them capable for the organisation.. Training program is important as it strengthen the
skills of each employee which needs to improve. Training assist in solving current problem of

demotivation among existing staff, as from it the employee feel motivated and satisfied and will
be more interested in doing work and never leave the organisation. The function assists in future
plans for growth as the trained employee is highly experienced and will perform well, so this
assist in higher productivity of the Chocola Fantastica (Taylor, Doherty and McGraw, 2015).
Performance management
It measures performance of workers and give them pay accordingly. Agenda of this
function is to motivate employees and retain them. The function solves the current problem of
high staff turnover and poor productivity as poor performers are monitored and controlled. As
the workers are satisfied and trained well, they will work smartly in achieving future
organizational goals and objectives
B) Strength and weaknesses of selection method
Chocola Fantastica is using interview method to select candidates and its pros and cons
as follows-
Interview
Interview is an selection method where ask by senior authority and on the bases of
interview marking person is being selected (Coetzee, Ferreira and Potgieter, 2015).
Strength
 Sufficient information- Sufficient information can be collected by the candidates as
interviewer can ask any question at the time of interview.
 Time saving method- This method is time saving as best candidate can be selected by
Chocola Fantastica in short communication. Easy correction of data – any mistake or misunderstanding within interview can be
rectified easily because of physical presence of both the persons.
Weaknesses
 Time and money consuming: interview needs huge time to evaluate skills of person and
also need money to conduct all this arrangement hence it is not suitable for business.
 No record of the data- While conducting an interview some confusion may arise in future
as there is no evidence of what the interviewee spoken (Kavanagh and Johnson, 2017).
Assessment test
Assessment test is a systematic way of testing a candidate's ability to perform the
specific task and how well the candidate can manage to do required task. In Chocola Fantastica

the job applicants will be selected only when they will score more than 50% in English and
maths (Stewart, 2018).
Strengths
 Accurate and appropriate- This selection method is appropriate as by this method only
skilled and talented candidates are recruited. Skills of candidate in particular subjects English and maths can be evaluated effectively
through this test.
Weaknesses
 Candidate becomes nervous- some times test creates phobia in person and due to
nervousness individual fails to give good test or getting high score.
 May not give desired results- This method may not give appropriate results as the
questions may be leaked
Chocola is taking support of external recruitment method, advantage and disadvantage of it
are explained as below:
Advantage
 It helps in brining mass talent in the firm and fining the most suitable for the firm.
 It is helpful in getting innovative ideas in business by hiring new person (Kanki,
Anca and Chidester, 2019).
Disadvantage
 It takes too much time to get people from external market because firm needs to look
upon the resume of each candidate and has to give them time to evaluate their
capabilities.
 It requires money to get the person from outside market.
C) Recommendation for improving selection process
Proper Assessment
Some improvements should be made by Chocola Fantastica while conducting assessment
test. There must be proper security as some times the question paper get leaked.
Chocola Fantastica should be fair while conducting assessment test as when there is lack of
fairness in the test, the company will not be able to carried out desired results. Improvement in
assessment test process by focusing more on fairness can improve the selection process of the

Chocola Fantastica. The company can make a proper set of questions which are required to be
answer by candidate. The firm must ensure that the questions in the paper are arranged subject
wise and in desired form (Mukkelli, 2015).
Systematic Interview
The interview conducted by the Chocola Fantastica should be systematic. Proper
attention must be given to the candidate, there must be proper designing of interview question by
considering job role (Mwaniki and Gathenya, 2015). Thus, by making all these necessary
improvements in selection process, it helps the Chocola Fantastica in selecting deserving
candidate (Noe and et.al., 2015).
SECTION 2 (LO4)
A) Person specification
Person specification outlines requirements for the job. It includes education requirement,
training experience as well as the personal qualification which a candidate must have (Tam, 2017
Criteria Essential Desirable
Education
MBA
Graduate degree Yes
Yes
Skills
Interaction capabilities
Having technical capabilities
Managerial skill
Administration skills
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
Knowledge
Basic knowledge of Microsoft
products i.e., MS excel and
power point
Customer service
Cash management
Knowledge of finance and
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes

budgeting
Experience
Minimum 2 years of
experience of relevant field
Yes
B) job advertisement and its pros and cons
Company uses circulars as it circulate the information about vacant post tointernal staff
members and also Chocola Fantastica is using notice board to advertise the job vacancy of
receptionist post. Notice boards are placed outside the entrance gate of Chocola Fantastica.
Notice boards are used by the company to keep the workers up to date regarding what is
going on in the company. More information which are placed on the noticeboard are
related to holiday, social event, training courses, date of meetings and conferences etc.
(Brewster, Mayrhofer and Farndale, 2018).
Advantages of using notice boards-
 Noticeboard are flexible. The noticeboard can be placed anywhere and easy to replace.
 It contains the written information for a vacant post which can be communicated to large
people in less time.
 Advertising on noticeboard is very cheaper as compare to external sources. This method
is cost friendly and helps in saving the cost of the Chocola Fantastica.
 The full details of the job vacancy are placed on the noticeboard. It helps the interested
candidate in finding the job. The details of each job vacancy are placed.
 Noticeboard displays the details of the interview like the date and time. As when the walk
in interview will be held(Shen and Benson, 2016). Any changes regarding the job vacancies can be made easily by the company.
Disadvantages of using noticeboard-
 The information placed on the noticeboard may not reachable to the large audiences.
 As the notice board is placed outside the company, the information will be visible to a
limited persons only (Taylor, Doherty and McGraw, 2015).
 It is time consuming method of job advertisement. As it takes long time to spread the
information to the public.

 By using this method as advertisement the talent from outside can not be taken as it will
result to limited employees only.
 The job vacancies advertisement is visible to the limited persons only, the other interested
candidates will not be able to apply(Coetzee, Ferreira and Potgieter, 2015).
 The message which is given on the noticeboard can not spread clearly across the Chocola
Fantastica as all the detail can not be written on the notice board.
Advantage of circular method
 It is easy process as information can be circulated to people easily and quickly.
 Company can hire candidate quickly as it needs not to go through from lengthy process.
Disadvantage
 As information about vacant post is reached to limited persons only, as only staff of
company and their friends can get to know about this post.
 It limits the external talent in business.
C) Recommendations to be used advertisement for the post of receptionist.
There are various ways of job advertisement that can be used by business:
Social media advertising
As nowadays the scope of social media is increasing rapidly. Chocola Fantastica can use
this method for job advertisement. Many people are continuously using Facebook, Twitter and
through this advertisement will reach to the large amount of people in short time (Kavanagh and
Johnson, 2017). The company can give the ad regarding the vacancies for the post of receptionist
on different social media platforms like Facebook etc. These medium helps in spreading
awareness about the job vacancy to large public. By using these social media platforms, many
people who are in the need of Receptionist job can search and apply. Chocola Fantastica can
place the job vacancy on these media and any changes in the advertisement can be easily by the
company. Though this method of advertisement is not very costly (Stewart, 2018).
Online website
Chocola Fantastica can advertise its job vacancy for receptionist post by making an
online website. The main reason for making an online website is that the job advertisement can
be reached to large amount of public. When people will visit the website of the Chocola
Fantastica, they will be aware of which job vacancies are available and if they are interested in

doing that work they can apply for that very easily (Kavanagh and Johnson, 2017). This method
is not very difficult and it is very convenient and cost friendly method.
Newspapers
Another method which can be used by the Chocola Fantastica for the job advertisement is
newspapers. As the company has a post of receptionist, so the add will be posted in the
newspaper regarding that, all detail of the receptionist profile are mentioned. As newspapers are
read by large number of people the advertisement will reached to the large public in short
duration.
SECTION 3 (LO2)
A) Graduates training scheme and internship that benefits both the organisation and employee
Graduates training schemes Employee Organisation
Aspire program
It is an on-boarding
experience, design to equip,
develop and empower those
who join Microsoft after
graduating.
Training and development-
It provide learning experience
and also it benefits the
employee in terms of their
professional development.
Which help the workers to
make their career and getting
promotions in business
(Brewster, Mayrhofer and
Farndale, 2018).
Company can get huge talent
through this progam and it
develops capabilities of
workers which support
business in raising its
productivity to great extent.
Graduate engineering
program
Graduate Engineering program
helps employees in developing
their technical skills, as they
get opportunity to work on
some specific projects. This
helps them in getting more
opportunities in big firm
This programs gives benefit to
companies as well, as
Microsoft can get more
technical people who can make
more effective technologies
which may help firm in
enhancing its profitability to

great extent.
Intern Program Even in intern program, it
provide best salary and
benefits of perks and also
providing the best work place
and greatest work experience
around which will improve
motivation level of
individuals.
Intern program gives benefits
the Microsoft company in
getting right talent on right job.
Furthermore, it improves
production ability of business
and reduces mistakes as well
(Shen and Benson, 2016).
B) Range of flexible arrangement for working staff and benefit for both employees and
organisation.
Microsoft is the leading technology firm, that provides various flexibilities to its staff
members.
Remote working- where the employee entirely perform by remain away from the office. In this
the worker may be permanent or temporary (Taylor, Doherty and McGraw, 2015).
Benefit of remote working
 Organisation- It is beneficial for the Microsoft company as people feel satisfy when they
get option to perform their work at home. This motivates them and retain them in
business hence staff turnover issue get minimised. Employee- it encourage employees, as they can make balance in their family and work.
This makes them able to be more productive and manage their other work as well.
Part time job- Part time working means few hour of work than a full time work.
Benefit of part time-
 Employees- workers can manage their other work such as studies or family business by
doing part time job. And also worker get the time to be with the family and take care of
the family (Coetzee, Ferreira and Potgieter, 2015).
 Organisation- Microsoft get benefit through part time job as it has to pay less salaries to
staff members those who are doing part time job. It can get fresh talent at lower cost
enhance cost of business get minimised.

C) motivation tactics of Microsoft
Microsoft company motivate its talented people by using various steps.
Involve Employee in decision making
Microsoft involves workers in decision making process and it motivates the employee. It
takes suggestion from managers as well and give them rights to implement their decision.
(Stewart, 2018).
Giving attention to employees
Microsoft company giving more attention to their employees, as the industry want that
employee need to know that they are one of the valuable asset for the organisation. Company
takes feedback of employees and conduct personal meetings with them to get attention of lower
level staff, this makes them positive and loyal towards brand.. In order to gain attention of
managerial level workers, entity involve them in corporate meetings and discus about major
decision of business.
Giving rewards
Microsoft company gives reward to the employees whose performance is well throughout
the year. This can be in the form of extrinsic reward such as for the authorise people by
providing the extra pay or by doing their promotion to the higher . This motivates both
employees and managers in business (Kanki, Anca and Chidester, 2019).
SECTION 4 (LO3)
A) Employee engagement
Employee engagement is a state when the employees are passionate about the job,
committed to the organization, and implement discretionary efforts into the work. The
implementation of employee engagement resulted in improve productivity and efficiency, reduce
staff turnover, retain customer of the organization and provide employee satisfaction on both
work and personal life.
 Team Work - Microsoft improve the relation between manager and it's employees as
well as promotes strong sense of teamwork amongst the workers.
 Productivity - The involvement of employee engagement activity help in building
employee relationship in the organization resulting in development of work productivity

as it reduces the chance of employee conflict and arguments. Microsoft by managing
employee relation, can develop productivity within the working of its employees.
 Reduce employee turnover – employee engagement is helpful in enhancing motivation of
employees. They continue working with firm hence entity needs not to spend on hiring
new staff (Mwaniki and Gathenya, 2015).
 Decision making - The concept eliminates the existence of personal grudges and help in
maintaining healthy organizational relationships.
 Work pressure - The employee engagement at workplace will reduce and minimize the
work pressure of the employees, providing them mental satisfaction (Mukkelli, 2015).
B) Employee engagement approaches
engage workers tactics applied by the firm and their effect on increasing workplace
communication -
 Yammer - Connect and engage people around the organization
The Microsoft employees must communicate openly in order to develop transparency and
maintain strong community by communicating effective practices and crowdsource ideas to push
initiatives forward. Microsoft makes healthy connection with staff and involve them so that they
can share their views. This thing builds confidence of workers and enhance their engagement as
well. By this way people understand each other and coordinate with each other effectively (Tam,
2017).
 Share Point - Mobile, intelligent intranet
The office 365 promotes streamlining business progress, finding content, personalized
and intelligent search and provide updated news and content making the business activity
convenient by providing effective and easy communication channels through sharing and
collaborating of ideas amongst each other. Sharing information through mobile develops friendly
relationship among all staff, they trust each other. This enhances their engagement in business
and they interact with each other without any issue (Kavanagh and Johnson, 2017).
 Microsoft terms - The teamwork hub
Private and group chat opted to share files and co-author content. The everyday used
tools and services can be customized and extended at the workplace. Easy access can be made on
OneNote, PowerBI, Planner, SharePoint and more by Office 365.. The communication channels

by this activity cover wider range of people at a particular time which enhance the efficiency of
communication at workplace (Shen and Benson, 2016).
C) Employee legislation of UK and its impact on decision of HR
The decisions of Human Resource influenced by the UK employment legislation -
 The Fair Labour Standards Act 1938-This act reflect that each company is require to
design pay role of employees as per fair standard act, firms can not give wages to people
below this standard.. The Human Resource of Microsoft in order to protect the rights of
the employees, must enforce laws of fair labour standards act to protect the interest of the
workforce over their working hours and conditions to protect the rights of its employees
(Human Resource Management,2019). This impact on rewards and pay roll decision of
HR, as now HR manager of Microsoft has to analyses performance of people and
accordingly they have to give them pay (Brewster, Mayrhofer and Farndale, 2018).
 Occupational Health and Safety Act1970 – It came into existence in 1970, administration
requires Microsoft's compliance consisting variety of laws protecting the employees from
hazardous work environments. This impact the training decision of HR, as now HR has to
ensure that no staff get injured while performing their job. They have to give training to
them so that they can use it properly or can avoid accidents. The HR is responsible for
imposing the measure and take several controls to train the employee's for safety needs as
well to avoid hazardous activities (Taylor, Doherty and McGraw, 2015).
 Family Medical Leave Act 1993- The Microsoft imposed several circumstances in which
these leaves will be entertained such as child birth, adoption, child care or when the
employee or someone close to employee is seriously ill (Coetzee, Ferreira and Potgieter,
2015). It influences Human resource department in making policies of leave for
employees , as now human resource manager has to ensure that all people get required
leave whenever they required it. If entity do not provide them necessary leave then
employee has right to claim against the firm (Human Resource Management, 2019)..
CONCLUSION
Study can be summarised as employee engagement can be considered as worthwhile
tactic in developing employee relationship in Microsoft as it develop the team work, productivity
and helps to reduce turnover of employees and work pressure. HRM practices support business
in getting deserving candidate and retain them. Companies always ensure to motivate people so

that they can work hard. Employment legislation protect right of employee and employer and
help in implementing fair practices that can give benefit to employer and employee both.

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Online
Human Resource Management.2019[Online]. Available through
<https://www.mckinsey.com/business-functions/operations/our-insights/performance-
management-why-keeping-score-is-so-important-and-so-hard>
Human Resource Management.2019[Online]. Available through <https://www.microsoft.com/en-
IE/earlycareers/internsapprenticeships>