HRM Practices, Workforce Planning, and Employee Relations at Next Plc

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices at Next Plc, a major UK retailer. It explores the purpose and functions of HRM in workforce planning and resourcing, examining the strengths and weaknesses of different recruitment and selection approaches. The report describes the benefits of diverse HRM practices for both employers and employees, assessing their usefulness in raising organizational revenue and productivity. It also examines the importance of employee relations in influencing HRM decision-making and recognizes the key basics of employment legislation and its impact on HRM. The report concludes by illustrating the application of HRM practices in a work-related context within Next Plc, highlighting the practical implications of these concepts. This detailed analysis offers valuable insights into the strategic role of HRM in a large retail organization.

UNIT 3
HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY.............................................................................................................1
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
LO1..................................................................................................................................................1
Explain purpose and functions of HRM applicable to workforce planning and resourcing an
organisation............................................................................................................................1
Explain strength and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection........3
LO2..................................................................................................................................................5
Describe benefits of diverse HRM practices within organisation for employer and employee
................................................................................................................................................5
Assess usefulness of different HRM practices in terms of raising organisational revenue and
productivity.............................................................................................................................6
LO3..................................................................................................................................................7
Examine importance of employee relation in respect of influencing HRM decision making7
Recognize key basics of employment legislation and impact it upon HRM decision making9
LO4................................................................................................................................................10
Illustrate application of HRM practices in work related context using specific examples. .10
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Human resource management is an approach to the management that can useful for attaining
and managing the workforce of the company. The major aim of developing this report is to
acknowledge the understanding of several concept of HRM. This study is to be developed
on Next plc that is largest retailing organisation within UK deals in clothing, home wares
etc. in this company will face the issue of managing the workforce for this they can focus on
recruiting the new hiring, encouraging them and also follow some laws so that they can take
the major decision related to gaining profits and revenues.
INTRODUCTION
Human resource management refers to an essential management practice within
organisation for managing the people within working area for enhancing their working
performance so that task can be achieved on time. This management aspect helps in smooth
functioning of the of the task (Stewart and Brown, 2019). The HRM process includes the
various set of determinants like as recruitment, selection, job analysis, training and development,
performance management etc. To understand the concept of human resource management this
report has undertaken the Next Plc. That is British multinational clothing, footwear and home
products company headquartered in England. It has around 700+ stores in all over the world.
This report includes the functions and purpose of HRM with their benefits to employer and
employee. It also involves the strength and weaknesses of recruitment and selection approach.
Further it explains the effectiveness of several HRM practices to generate high profit margin and
enhancing the productivity within employees. This helps in maintaining the employees relations
by adopting the several legal aspects that also helps in taking decision. At last this consider the
example of HRM practices in work related context within Next Plc.
LO1
Explain purpose and functions of HRM applicable to workforce planning and resourcing an
organisation
Human resource management- It refers to planned approach that manages the people
within organisation so that they can enhance their performance and organisation can attain their
objectives in an effective way. This department is mainly emphasis on managing and organising
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the workforce in an effective and efficient way by using performance appraisal, recruitment,
compensation management etc.
Workforce planning- This defines as a process of forecasting, examine and planning the
supply and demand of workforce by analysing their talent and skills so that it is easy to placing
the right people on right job role so that task can be attained on specified period of time. In
context of Next Plc manager can focus on planning the workforce so that profitable results can
be gained out.
Functions of HRM
 Management function- In this function of management Human resource manager of
Next plc can perform the several role of management on which HR department can focus.
This function involves planning, organising, controlling and directing (Armstrong and
Taylor, 2020). It is to be linked with the workforce planning effectively because without
effectively implementing the management function employees are not to be organised
and work productivity. This function of HRM provided benefits to employees by easily
understand the task so that profitable results are presented. In this proper planning and
controlling effectively motivates workers to work appropriately.
◦ Purpose- The main purpose of this managerial function of HRM in Next Plc is to
examine the needs of the company so that department can focus on fulfil it according
to the expectation of workforce by using planning, organising, directing the
performance of employees so that long term objectives can be attained.
 Operation function- It is an essential function of Next Plc human resource department
because in this manager is concerned with managing and retaining the employees for
longer time. The operative function of HRM includes recruitment and selection,
performance appraisal, salary administration etc. In this manager of firm can find the
suitable candidate and also helpful to retain the old one by promoting or transferring on
their job role so that profitable results can be attained. In this evaluation of employees
performance motivates workers towards proper working. In this manager having an
effective evaluation and interpersonal skills so that workers are move towards to work
appropriately to maintain company profitability.
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◦ Purpose- The primary purpose of this function in Next Plc is directly related to
different activities managing people. In this human resource manager works for the
benefits of employees so that they give profitable results.
Explain strength and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection
Recruitment- It refers to that process of human resource management in which manager can
focus on attracting the large number of applicant for the specified job role who fulfil all criteria
for completing the task (Banfield, Kay and Royles, 2018). In context of Next Plc, human
resource manager can focus on two approaches of recruitment for analysing the skills and
abilities of app
licant for performing the task that can be shown below:
Approaches to recruitment
 Competency framework- This is an approach to recruitment that is used by HR manager
of Next plc to communicate the required behaviour, value to the organisation to fulfil the
required goal. This helps in expecting the excellent performance behaviour by company.
◦ Strength- The major strength of this approach in Next Plc is to fulfil the need of the
organisation on immediate basis by employing the suitable candidate for the job role.
◦ Weaknesses- Major drawback of this is that in this human resource manager of Next
plc put less focus on providing training to employees that show the rigid nature in the
company.
 Job analysis- It refers to the process of examine the requirements of jobs within
organisation (Chelladurai and Kerwin, 2018). In context of Next plc this approach helps
in analysing the job so that suitable candidate is to be hired to perform the particular job
role. It also involve some drawback and benefits that can shown below:
◦ Strength- The advantage of this approach is that it helps in providing the first hand
information related to job to the applicant so that interested applicant can applied to
this
◦ Weaknesses- The drawback of this approach is that it is very time consuming and
also involves the personal biasness in the person due to this goals completion would
be difficult in Next Plc.
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 Internal approach- In terns of Next Plc manager can hire the candidates within the
organisation that will motivate existing employees for effectively working. It contains
strength and weakness that can reflected below:
◦ Strength- It is very cost effective and also contain less time that is highly beneficial
for Next plc. It will also encourage and satisfy the employees of Next Plc. on their
job.
◦ Weaknesses- The major weaknesses of this approach within Next plc. Is that are it
will not attract the fresh talent which is significant for company to gain competitive
advantage.
 External approach- In this manager of Nest plc can hire a candidate from external the
organisation that is campus recruitment, internet source. It will contain some positive and
negative aspect.
◦ Strength- It helps the Next plc manager to attract the suitable candidate for the
vacant job that can helpful to gain more profits and competitive advantage.
◦ Weaknesses- In this Next plc. company can includes the major cost and time that will
affect firm overall cost and also impact employees satisfaction due to which their
productivity impact negatively (Brewster, Mayrhofer and Farndale, 2018).
Selection- It defines the process of selecting the suitable applicant for the job role out of number
of candidates who are applied to the job. In context of Next Plc, human resource manager can
adopts this process to achieve the target on set time frame by placing right employee on right
place. This can be based on several approaches some of them can be shown below:
Approaches to selection
 Ability test- In context of Next Plc this approaches of selection helps in assessing the
single candidate performance in several work related situations and complexities.
◦ Strength- This helps the manager of Next Plc to identifying the suitable personality
for the particular job role by taking the test and analysing their capabilities and
abilities in different complex situations.
◦ Weaknesses- This approach is very time and cost consuming because in this first
manager can take test and than select the right out of them. Due to this company
cannot effectively focus on other essential task.
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 Interview- This is an another approach to selection that is use by employer of Next Plc in
which they ask questions to candidates for fulfilling the vacant job so that best selection
can be done (Ahmad and Scott, 2019).
◦ Strength- this is one of the best approaches to selection because in this manager of
next Plc can collect the actual data related to interviewee. In this applicant cannot
give the false information because they are sitting in front of the employer.
◦ Weaknesses- As this process is also very costly and time consuming due to which
Next Plc can invest more that may affect the operating cost of the organisation.
LO2
Describe benefits of diverse HRM practices within organisation for employer and employee
Human resource management is related to the management practices in which skilled and
experienced manpower are involved to perform the task within company so that it can be done in
an effective and efficient way (Song and et. al., 2018). This practices of HRM presents as a
operational functions that is conducted for offering the benefits to both the parties that are
employer and employee. In terms of Next Plc several human resource practices with their
benefits related to employee and employer can be elaborated below:
Training and development- This defines to an instructive activity within organisation that can
enhance the skills and knowledge of the employees related to specify task so that it can be
achieved in an effective and efficient way. In this human resource manager of Next Plc can
organise the sessions and programs for developing the competencies so that task can be attained
in an appropriate way(Valentine and Fleischman, 2018). This training and development practice
is very effective for both employer and employee of Next Plc. That can be shown below:
 Benefits to employees- The major benefit of training and development to employees of
Next plc. Is that it can enhance the knowledge and skills that helps in developing the
employees of Next plc. Professional career in future aspects. It also helps in attaining
the task in effective and efficient way.
 Benefits to employers- This practice of Human resource management is also beneficial
for employer of Next Plc by providing the productive results to the objectives of
company so that firm will gain the competitive advantage within marketplace.
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Reward management- This practice of Human resource management reflects the policies which
includes the rewards and recognition factors to the workforce so that they get encouraged for
completing the task in appropriate way. This aspects involves the financial and non financial
type of benefits that helps to manage the organisation working environment (Kooij and Boon,
2018). For instance- In case of Next Plc human resource manager can adopts the monetary and
non-monetary benefits by analysing the capabilities and skills of the employees so that rewards
can be given to them as per that. Some of the particular benefits of employees and employers are
shown below:
 Benefits to employees- In terms of Next Plc employees are benefited with reward
management by getting the extra monetary and non monetary benefits that helps in
enhancing the living standard. It also helps in satisfies the employees in their job.
 Benefits to employers- The major benefit to employer of Next Plc in context of reward
management is that it increases the productivity of the company and saving the cost of
recruitment and selection because employees are working effectively and also satisfied
with their working culture. This helps in growth and success of the business enterprise
As these practices of HRM is very beneficial for the company and also managing the
workforce of the Nest Plc in effective manner. For example- If a manager can provide the
training to their employees relating to completing the objectives than it will improve the
workers skills and also helps in getting the high productivity results. In this HR manager can
also reward their employees for their good work so that they get encouraged for completing
the task.
Assess usefulness of different HRM practices in terms of raising organisational revenue and
productivity
From the above explaining practices of human resource management it is evaluated that
the Next Plc can show the effectiveness in enhancing the profitability and productivity so that
company can sustain for a longer period of time (Pohan and et. al., 2018). In managing the
workforce of the organisation human resource practices play a significant role for encouraging
them so that task can be attained in effective and proficient manner. Effective use of practices
helps in gaining high profits and revenues that can be effectively evaluated below:
 Training and development- This process refers to an educational aspect that will helps
in enhancing the competencies that is offered by the company to their employees so that
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they give their best and accomplished the task in appropriate manner. It represent as an
significant aspects that enhances the potential of the employees that gives the profitable
results to organisation. In context of Next Plc. Manager can adopts on the job and off the
job training processes to capture the best opportunity to the individual person by
developing their skills and abilities so that firm will gain high market share. Due to
effective training and development individual competencies would be enhanced due to
this productive results can be attained.
 Reward management- This is another practice of HRM that is evaluated as a best for the
organisation and also for the employees. Reward management is very beneficial because
it is concerned with formulation and execution of strategies and policies in which
manager can reward their team mates fairly which creates value for the company
(Machlis and Tichnell, 2019). In terms of Next Plc human resource manager offers the
monetary and non-monetary benefits to their employees that helps in motivating the staff
members towards completion of task in an effective and efficient way. This also helps in
employee engagement that can show the healthy working environment so that employees
are satisfied with it and retain with the firm for a long period of time.
Applying these practices within the Next Plc. helps in gaining proficient and productive
results that will gain the competitive advantage within marketplace but at the same time
following these approaches within the working environment is very costly due to which firm
overall cost is to be impacted. For Next plc rewarding practice is more beneficial because this
helps in satisfying the employees’ secondary needs due to which they can work effectively and
with full efforts.
LO3
Examine importance of employee relation in respect of influencing HRM decision making
Employee relations- It refers to efforts that a manager can do to manage the relationship
between employee and employer. Within Next Plc. Manager can focus on managing and
maintaining the employee relation so that they are satisfied with their job and loyal for the
organisation. It involves some benefits to employee relations that influence the decision making
which can be shown below:
Importance to employee relations
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For HR manager it is very essential to focus on taking appropriate decision and it is
influenced by the employee relations at the working place. Within organisation manager can
highly emphasis on planning to maintain the employee relation by solving their grudges and
conflicts. In terms of Next plc, effective relation between the employees helps in influencing the
decision making so that high profits and revenues can be gained by the organisation and firm will
sustain for a longer period of time with good amount of revenues. Several importance of worker
engagement that influence the decision making can be elaborated below:
 Growing communication- due to effective employee relation communication between
employees and employers are also appropriate. Due to this information can be easily
transferred within the department that display positive results. IN terms of Next Plc
human resource manager can take decisions on several essential task because of good
relation can be maintained due to this operations can be process in smooth way. This
helps the HR manager to focus on capturing the opportunities that is profitable to
business and it can be attained on time because of good employee relation.
 Employee satisfaction- This is the another importance of the employee relation that
reflects the employee engagement in the working. Employee satisfaction is the major
benefit of worker relation if there is good relation between employee and employer than
it reflects the healthy working environment than every staff members are to be satisfied
with their job role. This also helps in maintaining the decorum within the business
enterprise. In case of Next Plc manager can focus on satisfying the employees by offering
them the good working culture that shows the effective relationship between them. This
helps the human resource manager to taking the effective decision in a positive way. For
instance- If employees have good relation between them that it will satisfy at their job
due to which employer cannot indulge in solving employees issues due to which they can
effectively take the decisions.
 Developing the culture of company- Better relation between the employees helps in
improving the organisation culture so that Next Plc can get the profitable results and
longer sustainability within the marketplace. It also helps in beating the competition
within marketplace. That helps the manager of the company to take the decision
effectively that will enhance the market share and brand image within the business
industry. For example – In Next plc effective relations within employees can develops the
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friendly culture which helps the manager of company to highly focus on taking decisions
positively.
Recognize key basics of employment legislation and impact it upon HRM decision making
Employment legislation- It refers to the laws and regulations that are imposed by the
government of the country for the welfare of employees and customers (Noe and et. al., 2018).
This law includes the health and safety laws, employment relation laws, parentity law etc. in
context of Next Plc manager can adopts the laws and regulation for their employees so that they
feel satisfied with their work and focus on achieving the goals within organisation. Properly
following the laws by the company helps in focusing on decision making to the human resource
manager so that firm will gain more profits and revenues. It includes the some laws in context of
Next plc that impact the decision making of the company which can be shown below:
Elements of employment legislation and impact on decision making
 Safety laws- This employment law is based on the safety of the employees related to
their health within company. In terms of Next plc manager can highly focus on the safety
of the staff members so that they will work safely that helps in satisfying them to the
working criteria. It will positively affect the decision making of the organisation that is
taken by human resource management because in these employees are working
effectively with full satisfaction. At the same time it affects the decision of manager in a
negative way because applying this law within firm includes major cost as it involves the
proper ventilation, health insurance etc.
 Employee relation act- This employment act is also very effective in terms of welfare of
workforce within organisation (Tung, 2016). In terms of Next Plc human resource
manager is adopts the employment relation act that will benefited the working of the
company. This also helps in maintaining the culture and values of the business enterprise.
In this if the workers are abusing another worker than they will be highly punishable by
the Next plc. This helps in maintaining the discipline within working environment that
positively affect the decision making of human resource manager. In this business
enterprise can maintain the relation by using the participative style where employees have
the right to participate in decision making so that innovative ideas can be come out for
gaining and accomplishing the targets.
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LO4
Illustrate application of HRM practices in work related context using specific examples
Job description
Job description
Job role- Marketing manager
Area – department of marketing
Job summary- Job based on marketing manager is very complex and adventurous that includes
the lots of responsibilities related to different activities in related to increasing the awareness in
the society people about the organisation offered job role. In this the firm will conducting the
market research for maximising the image of the brand within marketplace. The roles and
responsibilities of marketing manager is very significant but at the same time it is very
complicated and also includes more time.
Duties and responsibilities
 having responsibility of managing the sale and purchase action.
 Identifying and researching the whole market.
 Conducting customers examination
 offering several strategies that developing and support company profits
 Delivering Unique and creative ideas
 focusing on all laws and regulations
 Power of Effectively implemented all plans
Qualification and skills
 Skills based on team work
 effective communication skills
 Analysis skills
 knowledge based on code and conducts.
 Knowledge of culture and values.
 Masters degree of the management study
Person specification
10

Person Specification
Title- Marketing head
Functional area- Marketing department
Attributes
 Core competencies
Essentials
 Good communication
skills (oral and written)
 Customer driven
 Skills to working with
different marketing
channels for enhancing
marketing
Desirable
 Good management and
maintenance abilities
 Experience and
knowledge
 Experience of making
budget
 2 years experience in
marketing field
 integration of
marketing knowledge
including direct and
indirect channels
 Experience in
qualification
professional skills
 Knowledge regarding
marketing application
This person specification is very useful for the organisation to analyse the right skills and
knowledge related to the employees. This will majorly helps in fulfilling the vacant job needs in
significant manner. For example- If candidate is not fulfilled the requirements of the vacant job
position than it will not be hired and to examine this fact manager can use the person
specification.
Job advert
Company Next plc are searching for the best candidate who can fulfils all the demands
related to the marketing manager job position within UK. Candidate who are interested for this
job role come for the interview. The salary structure is also very attractive. The requirement for
the candidate is that it has the professional degree of management specially marketing.
Experience of around 2 years within some reputed company. Also have the ability to managing
11

the team and coordinating the task in an effective way. Interested candidates are applying for the
job and giving interview.
Interview notes
1. Tell me about yourself?
2. Tell about your strength and weaknesses ?
3. What type of knowledge you have about company ?
4. Why you want to do job in this company?
5. Why organisation hire you for marketing manager post?
Job offer letter
Job offer letter
Next Plc
Leeds, United Kingdom
October 30, 2020
Mr. OBC
Human resource manager
As a Human resource manager I'm very much delightful to offer you the job role of marketing
manager within organisation of Next Plc. In the company you have appointed for a full time job
position with a working 5 days in a week. Your salary package of this job position is $70000.
with this salary package it also involves the several benefits and perks on the annual basis. Your
joining data will be 20th November, 2020.
You will be come with all your legal documents and for any query related to policies and
procedures contact us on email www.Nextplc.com
Sincerely
Mr APR
Human resource manager
Next Plc
CONCLUSION
From above explantation study it is to be concluded that human resource management is
an important term for the success of organisation. It is based on workforce planning and
12

resourcing within the business enterprise. This consider the several practices such as recruitment,
performance appraisal etc. for encouraging and enhancing the performance of the manpower
within firm as it also helps in developing the employee relations so that manager can focus on
taking decisions in an effective and efficient way. In this approaches related to recruitment and
selection is more helpful for gaining the profitability results of the company. All this helps in
smooth functioning of task within the organisation.
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human resource management. Edward Elgar Publishing.
Chelladurai, P. and Kerwin, S., 2018. Human resource management in sport and recreation.
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Noe, R.A. and et. al., 2018. Fundamentals of human resource management. McGraw-Hill.
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