Human Resource Management Report: ASDA, HRM Practices and Impact

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Human Resource Management (HRM) within ASDA, a major supermarket chain. It begins by outlining the purpose and core functions of HRM, emphasizing the importance of adapting policies to the changing business environment and maintaining positive employee relations. The report delves into the strengths and weaknesses of both internal and external recruitment and selection methods, crucial for staffing the large workforce of ASDA. It then explores the benefits of various HRM practices for both employers and employees, including training and development, and the role of HR in resolving legal issues and facilitating communication. Furthermore, the report assesses the effectiveness of HRM practices in raising productivity and profit, highlighting talent management, innovation, and the use of information systems to improve communication and efficiency. The analysis underscores the importance of aligning HRM strategies with ASDA's goals to maximize employee performance, foster innovation, and ultimately drive business success. The report also discusses relevant UK government policies related to HRM.

HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT

INTRODUCTION
Human Resource management means department which deals with employees. It is
important that manager has to frame policies as per requirement of situation and in case of
change of environment it is essential modify policies. HR department has be keep link with
various other department of company (Alfes and et. al., 2013). This helps organisation in
providing ease in operations and this helps in removing confusion of activities. This report is
based on ASDA which is a supermarket retail change having 642 centres. [parent company of
this organisation is ASDA having head quarter in UK. In this report there is discussion about
purpose and functions of HRM, strengths and weaknesses of recruitment and selection, impact of
HRM practices on production and profits, benefits of HRM practices foe employer as well as
employee. HRM practices not only affects business operations but also decision making of
managers. There is discussion about laws related to employees which safeguard interest of
employees at workplace.
TASK 1
P1 Purpose and functions of HRM
HRM department has to work with full energy to bring synergy in organisation. It is
essential to make changes as per need of environment in organisation. Company has to frame
policies which can be modifies as per requirement. It is essential to alter plans and policies
regrading employees. So the role of HR department is not easy.
PURPOSE OF HRM
Maintain good relations in company: There are many employees in ASDA and they
work in team tom achieve goals and objectives of company. It is important that manager has to
frame policies which are friendly for company.
Optimum utilisation of resources: This is essential as there is requirement to utilise
resources optimally. This helps company to reduce wastage of resources and reduction in cost
(Armstrong and Taylor, 2014). There are policies of Government of UK which aims at giving
back to society so this aim can also get satisfied with it.
Good environment within organisation: Environment of organisation affects
performance of employees. It is essential that manager has to modify policies which spread
happiness in company. It is important that to organise policies for upliftment of employees.
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FUNCTIONS OF HRM
Directing employees: There is requirement to direct employees when there is change in
techniques. There are many policies which has to be applied by HR manager. It affects many
operations of organisation.
Compensation: Compensation means financial assistance to employees. This is most
important duty of HR policies, this is basic and primary function (Bloom and Van Reenen,
2011). There are many financial benefits provided to employees so it is essential to pay that on
time so employees are satisfied.
Performance appraisal: This is also important job of HR manager. Performance
appraisal means there is check done to know whether employees are performing well or not.
There will be hype in salary as employee's are performing up to the mark.
REQUIREMENT OF WORKFORCE PLANNING
Workforce planning means planning done for work force requirement. It is important that
company has to plan policies for their upliftment. If employees are satisfied then they give their
best and hence there will be upliftment of company also. In ASDA, there are many policies
framed for employees satisfaction and in case of there is requirement of workers in it must be
fulfilled. This is also part of workforce planning and it is essential that selection must be
appropriate and best.
P2 Strengths and weaknesses of approaches to recruitment and selection
HR deals with selection and recruitment of employees, this is basic purpose of HR
department. There are many responsibilities apart from this such as training and development,
etc. ASDA has numerous employees so there leave organisation time to time, hence it is essential
to fill those positions effectively. There are many sources to recruit personnel , but it is important
that manger has to opt method which is suitable for organisation (Boxall and Purcell, 2011).
Broadly sources of recruitment is divided into two parts-
Internal Source- This sources is suitable when there is requirement of less number of
employees. In this method, employees are shuffle from one position to another. Manager does
not go outside the firm to find personnel. This provides employees chance of growth in career.
Benefits of internal sources
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Time and cost effective- This method is helpful when company has to fill vacant
position frequently. It is important that manager has to select candidate which is perfect for the
position. There is no cost of training for existing employees so there is no cost.
Satisfaction among employees- This is method which motivates person to to achieve
targets as they feel that there is scope of growth and there is less absenteeism and turnover. This
method helps to improve efficiency of employees as well as organisation(Bratton and Gold,
2012).
Weaknesses of internal sources
Limited option- This is one of the biggest demerit that there is less options of choice and
this may create feeling of dissatisfaction among colleagues. It is important that manager has to
opt best person among available which might be tough task and differs from person to person.
Chances of favouritism- This methods aims at opting person within organisation, so
sometimes top level person give preference to individual who is his/ her favourite.
External Source- There are chances that company can not satisfy there need through internal
source. So this source is effective to select most appropriate person for the most. It is important
that manager has to perform, various activities to choice person.
Benefits of external sources
Wider choice- Through this method company has wider choice to select person. In this
case there are many candidate which appear for the post, manger can choice best person among
them (Buller and McEvoy, 2012).
Innovative ideas- Through making new selection from market this helps company to
gain new ideas, this helps company to work under dynamic situation. Management of ASDA can
concentrate on other important issues and they can welcome ideas from them.
Weaknesses of external sources
Costly and time consuming- This method is costly and time consuming as there is
involvement of external parties such as campus recruiter, trainer, employment agency. So they
need time as well as cost.
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Expectation- New employee may not accept culture of organisation. Due to this they do
not like to continue working organisation and leave (Alfes and et. al., 2013). This may prove
wastage of training cost and sometimes there are possibilities of reduction of image in market of
ASDA.
TASK 2
P3 Benefits of different HRM practices for employer and employee
HRM practices are not only beneficial for company management as well as individuals. It
is important to apply employees related policies in effective manner. There are possibilities that
company has to plan policies in such way that employee does not want to leave organisation.
This help in achieving targets on time. This also benefits in reduction of training cost.
Benefits to employees
Training and development- HR policies have provision of training and development of
employee. It will help in improving performance of employees as well as employer (Armstrong
and Taylor, 2014). Training is not only beneficial for company but also for employees. They
can compete with outer world.
Resolution of legal issues- HR basically works for the upliftment of employees. There
are many issues related to employees, so this can be resolved by top level management. It
protects interest of employees.
Proper communication- HR policies help company to flow proper communication. This
helps company to achieve targets on time and effectively. It is important that employees has to
perform operations as per orders from top level management.
Benefits of employer
Code of conduct- ASDA is big organisation having various departments so there is
requirement to tell operations which has to be performed by employees. HR policies makes
person to know about operations which they have to perform and in which manner.
Motivates employees- HR frames policies works to achieve targets that has to be
achieved by employees. To apply it effectively it is essential to motivate employees. HR
manager frame policies of promotion as per their performance.
Delegation of authority- There are many departments in ASDA having numerous
employees having different skills and interest areas (Bloom and Van Reenen, 2011). So HR
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manger has to frame policies which assign duties as per their skills and qualities, which promotes
person to perform duties and responsibilities in better way.
P4 Effectiveness of HRM practices for raising productivity and profit
ASDA has aim to increase profit, this can be achieved with the help of employer and
employee. This is the most important job of manager which has to be taken care. HR manger
frames policies but it is important to apply them in most effective manner. Organisation has
different environment so it must be friendly which helps company to achieve targets on time.
Manager must attach performance with career growth, with this both company as well as
employees (Boxall and Purcell, 2011).
Talent management- Talent is inborn in everyone. It is important that manager has to
identify it and then place him/ her accordingly. There is requirement of change in plans and
policies this can be achieved with employees,. Manager has to motivate employees to come with
new and innovative ideas, which can be applied by company so workers are also satisfied that
they are important component in company. There are numerous workers working in ASDA
which helps to attain goals and objectives. In organisation various roles and activities are
assigned, so it is responsibility of HR manager to play correct person at right place according to
his skills and competencies. This helps to increase productivity and profits of ASDA. Apart from
this human resource managers of ASDA has to plan training events through in house or out
house methods which helps to polish and improve skills of workers.
Innovative thinking- There is important role of innovation these days. This helps
company to achieve targets i.e. profit maximisation. These days changes are taking place very
frequently, so it is essential that manager has apply those modifications in operations also. HR
manager of ASDA must use different aspects such as training and development, entertainment
activities, etc. this helps to build good relations among employees and they prefer to work in
ream. There are less chances of conflict which ultimately gives positive impact on profits and
sales. Employees are able to share their views which helps to work with new and innovative
technique. Human resource manager of ASDA can use focus group technique among workers
which helps to get best solution of issue.
Information system- There is some code of conduct in organisation which help company
to achieve goals and objectives. As ASDA operates in various part of world, so it is important
that manager has to select communication method which help in fast communication and there
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must not be chances of miscommunication. It is essential that in case of change in use of
technique it must be properly communicated to worker. There must be proper training program
for better results. HR manager must focus on improving use of communication channel such as
e-mail, intranet, business phones, etc. because this helps to deliver information from one
department of there. These channel must give frequent information without barriers and
miscommunication. This helps to improve working style and hence production and profits gets
improved.
Increase in efficiency and effectiveness of product- It is important that manager has to
give emphasis on improvement of efficiency or effectiveness. It is important that manager has to
accept modifications happening in society (Bratton and Gold, 2012). These changes are
essential so trust and faith of customer increases. HR manager must frame policies which focus
on optimal use of resources. There are different management methods such as TQM, Six Sigma,
Lean production, etc. which helps to increase productivity with reduced defects. These
techniques must plan by HR managers of ASDA and convey top employees to get positive
results.
These above mentioned points shows that company has to take care of HR policies so this
helps to achieve targets and goals through improvement of productivity and profits. ASDA has
many policies related to employees as per change in position and department of employees.
There are chances that employees may not fell comfortable to work under team then manager has
to analyse reason and resolve it. HR policies not only helpful for company but also in
improvement of individual's skill. In order to get positive results, periodical check of working
style of employees must be there, so they are ware of random check which helps to maintain
quality of product. This helps to give satisfaction to consumers and hence creates long term
relations and gives positive impact on sales and profits. There is requirement of motivation also
to employees to attain organisational goals which helps to achieve personal objectives.
TASK 3
P5 Importance of employee relations in respect to HRM decision making
Employer as well as employee are the main component in organisation. If they have
negative results then there are possibilities there is no effective application of policies. It is
important that HR manager has to frame policies which gives sweetness in relations among
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employer and employees. There are chances of personal conflicts which affects performance of
worker at position and they are not ready to work under team (Buller and McEvoy, 2012).
There is effective role of manager in motivating personnel to come with new ideas, this not only
improve relations but personnel feels free to share their problems. There are many issues in
company related to employee and employer they get settled with HR manager. Sometimes to
make employees satisfied manager has to modify plans and policies.
There are many activities to accomplish task and targets, there are many activities which
are interrelated, so manager must create good environment in association. This bring cooperation
in company and no overlapping of activities. There is planning done for accomplishment of task,
these can be fulfilled when there are is cooperation in departments. To apply changes effectively
there must be proper communication between employer and employee. In case when personnel
feels problem they can resolve it by sharing with employer so superior must also cooperate them
by providing appropriate options.
ASDA is big organisation there are many personal issues or misunderstanding which
affects professional life and it harms company adversely, so HR manner must be able to resolve
that. Relationship among employer and employee can be improved by perusing entertainment
related activities. This help manager to know about perception of employees and hence this can
be helpful in assigning duties. Some people have hidden skills in them but due to shortage of
time, but through these activities they can uplift employee's skills and hence they are satisfied.
P6 Key elements of employment legislation and its impact on HRM decision making
Government of UK plays vital role to improve position of employees ion company. There
are few acts which help organisation to gain confidence of employees so they are also satisfied
with their job place (Guest, 2011). It is not necessary that all acts are application, there are some
conditions which has to be achieved. If company does not apply those laws then government can
interfere in operations. This also helps to create good and friendly environment in organisation.
There is requirement of interaction between employees so they feel safe while working in
company. In case of modification in laws it has to be modified in company also and HR manager
has to communicate it to employees. Sometimes employees face problems related to
compensation which is fixed under law so individual can solve it by discussing HR manager.
ASDA applies following acts in company-
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Minimum Wages act- This acts safes right of employees who do not get remunerations.
This act says that company has to pay money to employees who are working in organisation.
This act applies to small as well as medium organisation. Person does not get compensation then
they can file petition under this act (Han, Chiang and Chang, 2010).
Age discrimination act- This act says that organisation can not file case against person
having age more than 40 years. This act allies in association having 20 or more employees.
Anti-discrimination act- This act says that company has to perform activities similar for
all. This act says that there will not be difference on the basis of caste, colour, creed, sex, etc. so
there will be feeling of equality in organisation.
From the above discussion it is clear that there is important role of these laws which help
company to run operations in ethical manner. Stakeholders feels that company can achieve its
targets when they follow proper guidances. These laws proves that there are less chances of fraud
by organisation.
TASK 4
P7 Application of HRM practices at work place
There are various uses of personnel practices in company. Application of human
resource practices in ASDA are-
Job specification
It contains information related to qualification,area of expertise and experience etc.
Job specification
Job title Human resource consultant
Qualification  MBA in human resource
 Diploma and degree in human resource
Experience  Candidate must have worked in 3 years as HR
assistant in any repopulated human resource
company.
 Candidate have experience of 4 years as training
and development officer.
Area of expertise  Can communicate with employees
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 Good problem solving skills
Job description
It consists of functions ,responsibility,working hours,working facilities,working hours
etc. of a particular profession.
Job description
Name of firm ASDA
Job designation Human resource manager
Location U.K.
Reporting Senior Manager(head office)
Roles and responsibilities  Manages all people and create
strategies related to selection and
recruitments.
 Help other managers in providing
training to all employees.
Working hours 8:00 a.m. To 6:00 p.m.
Salary 40000 pounds
Working facilities They get good breakfast and meals in
afternoon. In evening they get snacks and tea.
Cars are there through which candidate can
easily reach office at time.
Interview -
Interview is taken by top level management of ASDA which helps company to recruit
candidates. There are many personal and subject related questions which has to asked with
candidate. It includes question which can evaluate skills and knowledge according to required
qualification in profession. Format is described below-
Interview questions
Q.1 Tell me something about yourself?
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