Human Resource Management Report: Analysis of ASDA HRM Strategies

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of human resource management (HRM) practices within ASDA, a major UK supermarket chain. It begins by defining HRM and outlining its core purposes and functions, including employee relations, resource optimization, compliance, and ethical culture. The report then delves into ASDA's HRM activities, such as recruitment, selection, training, and development, with a focus on internal and external recruitment approaches. It further explores the benefits of effective HRM practices, including employee development, positive behavior promotion, and workplace flexibility. The report also examines how HRM practices increase profit and productivity through information systems, logical thinking, talent management, and coherent thinking. Finally, the report discusses the importance of employee relations in decision-making and the influence of employment legislation on HRM, covering the application of HRM practices within a work-related context. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and recommendations for ASDA's HRM strategies.

HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION............................................................................................................................3
TASK1.............................................................................................................................................3
P1 Different purpose and functions of HRM..............................................................................3
P2. Strengths and weakness of approaches of recruitment and selection....................................5
TASK2.............................................................................................................................................6
P3. Benefits of HRM practices....................................................................................................6
P4 Effectiveness of HRM practices in increasing profit and productivity..................................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
P5 Importance of employees relations which influence decision making..................................8
P6 Key elements of employment legislation and its impact on HRM decision-making.............9
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
P7 Application of HRM practices in work related context.......................................................10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFRENCES.................................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Human resource management can be described as a function which is performed by HR
team specially HR manager. It plays significant role in ensuring the success of the organisation
and also helps in improving the brand image which in turn help the organisation to sustain in the
market for longer period (Albrech, 2011). The HRM give the brief regarding the concepts of
human resource management as well as management in regard to distinct organisations. The
activities that are performed by HR related to selection, recruitment, training and development,
designing policies, procedures for organisation structure. Further, company which will preferred
here is ASDA. It is second largest supermarket in UK which was founded in 1949. This company
offering wide varieties of services like selling electronics, food, clothing, toys and general
merchandise. The whole report gives the details about purpose and functions of HRM, strength
and weaknesses of approaches related to recruitment and selection and all other strategies related
to human resource. Hence there is a need to effectively evaluate all the internal and external
factors that affects the decision making process of that organisation.
TASK1
P1 Different purpose and functions of HRM
Their are numerous functions performed by ASDA HR manager as well as staff of
company. The purpose is to optimally utilised all the resources that are available by management
team. Company made various strategies, policies after considering all the needs and objectives of
employees so they put their efforts in right direction. Considering the requirement of clients is
important in order to fulfil goals of company.
The purpose that are related with Human resource management are:- Employee relations: HRM basically formed with an objectives of maintaining the
relations of working employees (Alfes and. et. al. 2013). But in order to accomplish this
task HR senior manager need to formulate policies, strategies by considering that both the
leaders and subordinate communicate in informal way that remove all the conflicts
between them. Effective use of resources:- It is the at most responsibility of HR manager to ensure that
resource available in organisation is optimally utilised without any wastage. The main
purpose behind it is to increase the productivity from employee targets and reduce costs.
They make sure that none of the resources are loss as the available resource are scare in

the market. Because scarcity of resources will not able the company to produce goods and
services. Laws and compliance:- This is the most important factor that HR manager has to
considered if they want to survive smoothly in external market. Accuracy in rules,
regulation and legal procedures makes the company business ethical in every perspective.
Hence, it is vital to follow all the business laws, ignorance of this element leads to heavy
penalty and cancellation of license.
 Ethical Culture:- it is very important to adopt ethical and good culture in working
environment which create positive energy in performance of whole staffs. Company must
ensure specially the HR department about the contribution in CSR which increase brand
image of company (Bloom and Van Reenen, 2011) .
The important functions performed by HR department of ASDA are:- Planning: It means doing things in advance I.e. what to do, how to do, and how is going
to do it is done by planning department only. It is first function of management and plays
significant role at the time of formulating policies, procedures and programmes
according to goals and objectives of company. Staffing:- In company like ASDA which is famous supermarket in UK provided
multiple products at one roof. Therefore it is important for HR department selecting the
suitable candidates for the vacant post in order to gain knowledge and skills which must
be utilised at the time of performing task. Employee development:- Systematic training development programmes is organised in
ASDA like big company where most of the expenditure are incurred in order to trained
all the employees according to present challenges they faced at the of interacting with
customers. The main mission behind it is to prepare in advance all the new and existing
workers according to changing environment that develop their personality in better form.
 Employee maintenance:- It is the responsibility of HR department to managed the
relations between superior and their team members. Barrier in communication affects the
daily targets accomplishment. Good relations in organisation reduce turnover of
employees. This can be done only when ASDA will provide various benefits to the
employees.
P2. Strengths and weakness of approaches of recruitment and selection

The process which is used by most of the organisation at the time of recruitment and selection
is wide and systematic. It is considered most important part of company which decides the future
growth and success. Hiring of employees according to the demand of vacant job will give
positive results. The whole process is handled by HR department which is highly experienced
and professional in that part (Boxall and Purcell, 2011). The selection process is also a part of
recruitment process only as it is linked with identifying suitable candidates among all present.
Their are two ways of recruiting the employees adopted by ASDA organization namely:- Internal Sources- Under this type of recruitment all the process related to hiring of
employees is done under the premises of company or in other words recruited inside the
company itself. The HR manager need not go outside the company to fill vacant position.
This system is beneficial from company point of view because they select the internal
employee either through promoting or transferring to vacant place which leads to salary
increment and perfect employee really need for job. Through this employee learn new
work and process which is being conducted in the company
Benefits of Internal source of recruitment
 This process help in saving the time, efforts and money because HR manager need not
search the employees outside the organisation. The utmost benefit by adopting this source is tangible at the time of developing the
morale of employees because they are promoted on the basis of performance, skills and
capability. Hence, positivity and harmony arises from whole thing.
The disadvantage of internal sources involves:-
 Lack of innovative ideas due to internal selection which kill the talent of potential people
hiring from outside ( Renwick, Redman and Maguire 2013) . It may cause resentment among candidates which are not appointed for post. Another
demerits occur that HR manger already know the strengths and weakness of candidates.
External source:- It is a another way of recruitment where candidates are selected
outside the organisation through publishing job vacancy in newspapers, magazine and
online sites. Here the HR manager of the company goes outside the company in search of
new talent (Chuang and Liao, 2010).
Advantages:-
 New blood brings new perspectives in the organisation.

 Beneficial because of getting experienced professional employees which is not possible
in internal source. Challenges can easily faced due to innovative and unique ideas bring by professional
according to changing environment ( Renwick, Redman and Maguire 2013) ..
Disadvantages:-
 Increases the chances of conflicts between the opinion of new and existing employees.
 Longer adjustment or orientation time.
TASK2
P3. Benefits of HRM practices
Human resource plays an vital role in various types of practices which is carried on by the
managers of the company. These practises makes the organisation effective and better place to
work for examples of few common HRM practices generally adopted in organisation
environment like recruitment, training, performance management and compensation policy. It is
important that their must be coordination and cooperation between employer and employee so
whatever the practises they follow will bring efficiency in HRM practises. The various benefits
that are derived from these practises are:- Employees development- Employees considered as important asset for organisation
without which company cannot grow successfully. For further development of internal
employees their must be proper arrangement of training sessions which help in
increasing productivity and efficiency. ASDA is well known brand in supermarket
provide solutions of all requirement at one roof. In order to continue such image HRM
practices must improve continuously which is benefited for both employer and
employees in order to accomplish task in specified time. Promote positive behaviour- To continue cohesiveness and harmony there is a need to
create positive behaviour among employees in all level. ASDA UK based supermarket
have large employee base along with trusted customers. In order to continue such
perspective HR department formulate such policies, practices which give atmost
satisfaction to end users.
 Building a flexible workplace- It is very important for high profile organisation for
example ASDA induces the employees to accept all the modern challenges at work
place so that it is for them easily welcome all the changes according to external

environment (Cooke and Saini, 2010). HRM practises establish by expertise make easy
for whole organisation to adjust flexibly in working culture.
P4 Effectiveness of HRM practices in increasing profit and productivity
In any organisation HR department plays vital role. As company grows it also enhances
the role of activities of human resource department. HR manager has to recruit, select, train,
motivate to employee in organisation. HR practices are regular and complex work. It increases
goodwill of company, but also improves performance of employees also. If there are good
policies for workers working then there is improvement in employees performance also as they
feel secured and motivated. This will help in increasing profit and image of company. Some
factors are as under: Information system: There is many informations and decisions take place in
organisation. There are chances that they have not delivered properly, this may create
confusion among employees. ASDA is vast company in supermarket. There are various
numbers of departments operated. It is important that correct information is delivered to
concern department. It will help in ease the working of departments. There is no conflicts
among departments and this cause fast frequent working in company's operation. There
are many changes taken place in industry HR department and top level management of
ASDA has to be updated with such changes and deliver them in organisation as per need
of company. Logical thinking: All the time it is not necessary that every thing HR manager make
learn to employees. There is requirement of some think8ing at personal level also. This
will help in improving personal characteristics of personnel (Daley, 2012) . In case of any
decision making, there is chances of good innovative ideas, which can helpful in
improving performances of overall company. Talent management: In ASDA there are different activities which are interlinked with
each other, hence there are chances that same personnel has to deal in different
departments. It increases efficiency of employee also. Proper communication system will
help in assigning and delegating authorities and responsibilities which gradually make
person expert in some specific area. This will help in achieving task on time and with full
diligence.

 Coherent thinking: There is some specific deadlines of any task, it is mandatory to
achieve it. HR department keeps eye on working of employees which helps in their
promotions and rewards. Hence employees also try to complete task in specified manner
and with full efficiency and effectiveness. There is competitive environment with
improves productivity and customer satisfaction.
TASK 3
P5 Importance of employees relations which influence decision making
Employee relation means relationship between employer and employee of any
organisation. These are only two aspects which have main role in company. ASDA has many
short term and long goals, which can be achieved by employees with the help of guidance of
employer. There is difference in employee's and organisation's objective, it is duty of manager to
frame such policies which are helpful in achieving both (Meredith, Belbin, 2011). ASDA has
good employee and employer relation which will fruit full in achieving objectives. There are
easy way of communication between owner and associate. Sometimes there are chances that
employees does not accept the chances taken place in organisation , then manager has to modify
policies and then motivate staff to work to achieve them. Valued component of organisation: As in case of any alteration in decision taken by
management of organisation due to employees, this gives feeling of valued component in
organisation. They work with high confidence and try to achieve task and objectives. It is
important to make them feel so that improves their performance and it ultimately
increases goodwill of company.
 Good flow of communication: ASDA is a big organisation operates in different
departments with large number of branches and employees. Hence it is important that
information delivered is good and accurate. It will ease the working in organisation and
employees are not confused regarding their style of working. It will create clear
communication channel and delegated authorities. Motivated staff: This is important and advantageous for any company. Employees is
most important aspect for any sector. Management of ASDA has to frame such plans
which are linked with employees, which will helpful in improving productivity of
employee. There is improve in quality simultaneously increase employee satisfaction. It
is duty of manager to motivate employees through attractive policies frame for them.

 Generation of innovative ideas: To resist in today's environment it is necessary that
company have to be innovative while working. There is requirement of ideas which can
be applied to working. If management and employee have good relations then there is
requirement to take ideas of workers also. It gives new and innovative content.
 Proper flow of authority and responsibility: There are many departments in ASDA, there
might be chances of confusion in activities. But if there is good relations then it will
make free flow communication (Guest, 2011). Management can easily delegate authority
and responsibility. It makes clear to employee also that for what he is accountable. In
case of any mishappening manger can also allocate the victim and ask for variations.
P6 Key elements of employment legislation and its impact on HRM decision-making
Employee is important part of organisation, which help in fulfilment of objectives assign.
But there are sometimes unfair behaviour with staff. To safeguard their interest there are few acts
which are abide for organisation (Lengnick-Hall and. et. al. 2011). Companies have to follow
them and make policies accordingly. Employees also feel motivated as they are sure that there
are some power lead in their hands as well in form of legal acts. HR manager has to deliver
knowledge about such act to employees. Some acts applied in ASDA are discussed below: Equal remuneration act: Minimum wages act inacted in 1976. the aim of this objective
is to safeguard the interest of women. It states that there is equal remuneration to women
workers working at same position. There should not be discrimination on the basis of sex. Minimum wages act: Every individual works for money in organisation. Hence under
law it is mandatory to pay wages as per locality in which company is situated. This basic
pay is sufficient to complete its basic needs. In case any employee does not get pay
he/she can file petition under this act. This is applied on organisations having employees
more than 15. Age discrimination: Company who have staff more than 20 come under Age
discrimination act's norms. It states that employer can not fire employees who have age of
40 or more (Huselid and Becker, 2011). Any employee suffered such issues then
complaint can be file under this act.
 Anti discrimination: This states that there should not be discrimination in organisation on
the basis of race, caste, colour, disability, etc. This act is launched in1938. Employee who

feel discriminated can file case under anti discrimination act. Organisation having
employees more than 15 has to flow norms of this act.
TASK 4
P7 Application of HRM practices in work related context
There are many duties of HR department in an organisation. Manager has to take care of
number of job vacancies, qualifications required, payment done, any other requirement.
Recruitment and selection is a time consuming and costly process. Hence candidate placed
should be equally capable for the post.
Job specification- It describes the qualities, qualifications required for the post. It analyse the
characteristics required for particular post. Through this candidate came to know whether he/she
is eligible for post or not, accordingly he/ she apply to post.
JOB SPECIFICATION
Organisation Name: ASDA
Job Title: Senior engineer
Qualification: B. Tech. (electronics and communication)
Essential criteria-
 Must carry deep knowledge about communication media.
 Able to handle dilemma in case of pressure.
 Create good environment in team.
Desirable criteria-
 Experience of 5+ years.
 Have knowledge about latest technology.
 Able to work in team.
 Cool and calm personality.
Job description: It is an internal document required for any vacancies. This is an instrument
made by management of company to specify job responsibilities for any particular position. It
covers the scope of working that what all task has to be perform by candidate if selected.
Job description
Organisation: ASDA

Division: Engineering department
Job title: Senior engineer
Job location: London
Job summary: ASDA having requirement of Senior Engineer, who is capable to handle
electronic and information technology related queries . Candidate have knowledge about latest
technology used in industry.
Role
 Can handle computer related problems.
 Team worker and motivated.
 Knowledge about electronic appliances, so that quick recovery in case of any halt.
After getting ready job description and specification, recruitment and selection program
starts. It means at this point candidates will come with their CV and give in interviews. ADSA
tries to reach as many as individuals they can, it will take time at the same time company gets
chance to interact with more people and select among them (Kehoe and Wright, 2013).
CURRICULUM VITAE
Name: Thomas Anderson
Address: 958, 22nd Street UK 10001
Contact number: 5698745
Profile summary:
B. Tech (electronics and communication) having experience of 7 years wants to create
employee employer relation with firm who provides chances of growth and development. Love
to work in team and have deep knowledge about latest communication system.
Specialisation:
 Positive thinking
 Team motivator and leader
 Working experience of 6.5 years in reputed company.
Educational qualification:
 B. Tech
 Certification course in communication
Declaration: I declare that all the above stated information is true and correct and of my best

knowledge.
Date:
Place:
CONCLUSION
From the above report it has been concluded that Human resource management plays an
important role for smooth running of business. Therefore utilisation of HRM help in building
brand image and help in achieving objectives. Most significantly they help in selecting suitable
candidates for vacant position and define the purpose and function performed by organisation.
ASDA second largest supermarket situated in UK recruit many employees every year and HRM
practices are utilised by HR department to select capable employee in order to give direction for
success and productivity as well. Various employee training development programmes were
organised for enhancing employee skill and personality so they are ready for future challenges.
Different laws, compliances are designed for protecting the interest of employees especially for
those who facing discrimination or inequality in respect to promotion, Transfer and gender
inequality and that must be followed by HR department for healthy environment.