Human Resource Management Report: BT Group Analysis and Practices

This report delves into the core aspects of Human Resource Management (HRM) within the context of British Telecom (BT) Group, a major telecommunications company based in the UK. The report examines the purpose and functions of HRM, particularly in workforce planning, highl...Read More

HUMAN RESOURCES
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
P1. Purpose and functions of HRM applicable to workforce planning .................................3
P2. Strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection process 5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
P3 Benefits of different HRM practices within an organisation............................................6
P4. Effectiveness of training and development in respect of profits and productivity...........7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................9
P5. Analysing the importance of employee relations with respect to influence HRM decision
making....................................................................................................................................9
P6. Identify the key elements of employment legislation and the impact upon HRM decision
making..................................................................................................................................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
P7. Illustrate the application of HRM practices in work related context ............................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Human resource management(HRM) is an important concept of organisation as it is
related to managing workers for increasing their productivity. It is the responsibility of human
resource manager to manage all the functions related to it which include hiring suitable
candidates, imparting training and development process, motivating them to significant level so
that they can contribute best of their efforts in achieving final goals and objectives. This report
include British Telecom, which is a well established telecommunication company situated in
London UK. They provide services covering worldwide. It is a big organisation employing large
number of employees hence, human resource management is a crucial process to handle all
workers efficiently. The report highlights the purpose of workforce planning method, advantages
of training process that enhance the knowledge and skills of employees. It also focus on different
methods that are consider while performing recruitment and selection process. It is a necessary
process as it involves attracting eligible employees into organisation so that they can align their
personal aims with company's vision and mission to reach the final target in given time frame.
TASK 1
P1. Purpose and functions of HRM applicable to workforce planning
Workforce planning is a pivotal process that defines carrying out the process of
recruitment, selection, training and development so that knowledgeable candidates are selected
to achieve set targets (Hendry, 2012). Workers are the assets for any company as they work to
attain ultimate goals. Human resource management is headed by HR manager that make certain
rules and policies to control the staff members. They make several strategies to be applied in
particular time period so that proper system can be carried out. BT group have several employees
working hence, it become important to control them in such a manner so that they act as a most
essential resource of business institution. There are several role that is played by HR manager of
BT group which is discussed below:

(Source: Functions of HRM, 2018)
 Governing workforce: It is the major role executed by HR manager in all company.
Basically, they have to motivate each individual to reach set goals so that smooth
operations are carried out. Workers perform all the work properly to attain higher
outcomes and results so that they should be governed in Staffing appropriate candidates: This function involves finding out correct person who
can be the best fit for company system. Hence, HR manager have to carry out recruitment
process in proper format so that only skilled workers are employed into the system. BT
group focuses on this process as they want to hire only knowledgeable prospects. Creation of healthy relationship: it is the function of HR manager to create conducive
working environment. There are employees of diverse nature and background hence, it
become necessary to establish strong bond between them so that work process should be
carried out in constructive way (Armstrong, 2014).
 Providing necessary training: Training is a salient function that has to be imparted by
HR manager. Under this they have to find out the needs and requirements to carry out
this process. Human resource manager of BT company should continuously evaluate the
areas where training has to be supplied.
Purpose of HRM:
Illustration 1: Functions of HRM

The main objective of HRM in BT group is to hire prospective work force into
organisational system so that their efforts and skills contribute in accomplishing end results.
Managers have to put full efforts to make them work in accordance to rules and regulations of
company. Moreover, motivation function also helps in boosting strength of individual so that
they are prepared for future events that may arise in business life. Every business entity whether
small scale or large sized have to follow steps so that particular skills are developed within staff
members that contribute directly in succeeding. Proper system of incentives and salary should be
given in order to remove barrier that may arise in minds of employees that can have a negative
impact on company growth and profitability.
P2. Strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection process
Recruitment is a procedure of locating correct and proper personnel that fit best in
organisation system. The main motive behind it is finding out appropriate and knowledgeable
candidates so that they can be appointed for right job place. On the other side selection is a
negative concept in which all candidates are not selected, only those who are the best suited will
be carried forward in process. There are basically two sources of recruitment internal and
external that have its own advantages and disadvantages associated with it. Thus, HR manager
have to examine these sources properly so that best option can be selected. BT group have to
operate in dynamic environment which keeps on changing with time. Hence, all changes or
modifications need to be taken into consideration while performing any plan of actions. There
are several factors that are present inside and outside the business environment. These have to be
scrutinize efficiently to prevent any consequences that may arise in future time (Brewster,
2017).
BT company renders full attention while conducting recruitment or selection process.
They concentrate on looking those members that will work for longer period of time. Internal
recruitment process involve selecting employees from within the company like transfer,
promotions. External origins consists of contacting trade associations or consultancy firms to
select right persons from outside world. There are some strengths and weaknesses associated
with these process is discussed below:

Internal Recruitment procedure External recruitment procedure
Advantages Advantages
This recruitment process is conducted within
the organisation system. In this manager select
employees from current working people. This
involve performing transfers promotions. The
added advantage involve increasing motivation
in employees as they are consider important
resource. From number of sources, best chosen
option is executed in the administrative system.
This recruitment process is done from outside
sources. Manager of BT group have to find out
these external sources and select most suitable
option. There are distinct external sources like
consultancy firms, online sites. The main
benefit of these process is that it allows new
talent to add into company system. New
thoughts and ideas are introduced into
organisation by adopting human resources
from variant sources.
Disadvantages Disadvantages
There are another dimension of this process is
that it has some disadvantages that include feel
of insecurity in employees as their peer
members are transferred to upper position
hence this lead to rise conflicts among
members. Another pitfall is that there is new
infusion of new talent into system.
There are certain disadvantages of this process
too, it is time consuming and costly process.
There can be condition when appropriate or
eligible candidates are left out during
conducting this process. Company cost
increases and hence have to be properly
implemented by HR manager.
TASK 2
P3 Benefits of different HRM practices within an organisation
BT Group is a giant holding company that owns British Telecommunication, and deals
with services such as broadband, TV, mobile and web based services. Being such a huge
organization different HRM (human resource management) approaches are made within the
organisation. Below are few HRM activities along with their benefits that are practised in BT
group:

 Performance management- It is a process where manager and employee works hand in
hand to plan and monitor employee's work. It is continuous in nature and helps by
creating objectives, guiding and coaching employees. Every activity is maintained using
a record of overall performance which is easy to evaluate and analyse weekly or
annually. This construct practical and achievable objectives for employee that are further
measured and monitored by HR. Also, a continuous feedback is provided that help
employees in understanding their weaknesses and faults (Chelladurai, 2017). Appropriate recruitment- One of the most important activity performed by HRM is
manpower planning. HR managers implement strategies for bringing right kind employee
in their organization. They create job advertisements and interviews to attract applicants
qualified for the job. Hiring process aims at providing productive workforce required by
the company. Non-qualified person creates problem in work environment as money and
labour is invested while appointing and training them. Therefore, HRM benefits company
by providing eligible and appropriate candidates. Training and development- Training employees for specific job is a crucial task for
HRM. They organize training programmes and bring out best delivery method (on-the
job or off-the job training method) along with providing training materials as per the
needs of employees (Cardona and Morley eds., 2013). HR managers helps employees in
improving their customer service skills and knowledge. They regulate training programs
on regular basis and create opportunities for employees to gain and take advantage. It
also help workers in developing their career growth along with future opportunities. Effective compensation management- Compensation management is a tedious task to
do. As HR has to analyse data of every employee and maintain its integrity. Effective
payroll system helps in storing, retrieving and modifying data required at the time of pay.
Also, it keeps track of employee work hour. HRM aims at resolving ambiguity that arises
at time of salary distribution.
 Human resource information system- HRIS is a process that helps HR team to maintain
all HR practices and unify employee data into a single unit. It is cost effective as it saves
all the expenses of hard copies that can be made in maintenance of record. Along with
cost effectiveness it maintains integrity of employee data as only one person is

responsible of accessing it. It becomes easier to maintain and analyse data with the help
of HRIS and frequent access do not create ambiguity (Ashleigh, Higgs and Dulewicz,
2012).
Above mentioned benefits are encountered on daily basis in BT Group by their HRM
team. The company is widely known for its best HR practices and benefits both, employer and
employee. While executing effective HRM, company's goals and objectives are achieved that
results in increase in sales and profits.
P4. Effectiveness of training and development in respect of profits and productivity
Training and development process is very important in every organisation as it aims in
enhancing the skills and productivity of every employee at significant level. There are several
benefits attached to this procedure. Training focus on current status of employees and find out
prospective areas that need more attention and has to be improved. There are number of
departments having distinctive duties and responsibilities which need to coordinated properly so
that they are able to attain final end. Human resource manager have to evaluate properly specific
necessities and than frame training events in conducive manner (Campbell and Burton eds.,
2012). Evaluating effectiveness of training and development process is illustrated below: Retaining workers for longer period of time: When proper human resource management
approach is applied in organisational system, this led to holding work force for longer
period of time. This helps in building positive image of BT group in reference to stability
factor. Hence, responsibility of HR manager also include to maintain healthy and
constructive link with workers. Boosting motivation: Raising motivation of person will aid in contributing properly in
gaining final objectives and aims of company institution. Therefore, it is mandatory to
impose proper and systematic training sessions that enhance the working skills of staff
members in positive way. Motivation factor can be in monetary or in non monetary
terms, both play important role (Clarke and Hill, 2012).
 Formation of healthy relation: Proper training is imparted which assist in creation of
good and constructive relationship between workers that are working together. There can
be situation of conflicts that may arise due to indifferent attitudes among people. Thus,

proper human resource management system eliminate such condition and staff members
could work properly.
Training are implemented according to the skills and capability of employees. Specific areas are
find out that require updation in order to meet the changes that are prevailing in current
environment. Training and development concept improves the company structure and
concentrates on improving profitability status within limited time period (Camelo-Ordaz and et.
al., 2011).
TASK 3
P5. Analysing the importance of employee relations with respect to influence HRM decision
making
Employee is the most important resource for every company. This is necessary to
establish healthy relationship between employees who are working together. There are diverse
workers which have different nature, attitude, language hence, it is required to make them work
in combined efforts. BT company have set system which raise the status of employee relations
day by day. There are methods like collective bargaining, direct engagement, all these have
single aim to improve workers relationship. Importance of maintaining better relation with
employees are as follows: Capacity: This process involve considering point of views of employees by taking their
feedbacks in decision making process. Training improve the productivity level of each
person in organisation. Proper working Environment: It is very much necessary for employees to work in free
environment so that their capability can be utilized at maximum level. They will be not
be in burden from organisation side. Organisations having systematic working state of
affairs will add in their value and leads to fulfilment of final goals.
 Maintaining faith of employees with organisation system: Business firm have to build
strong trust in the minds of employees so that they are able to contribute for higher
outcomes. Belief within the workers lead to upliftment of current structure (Bondarouk
and Olivas-Lujan eds., 2014).

Employee relationship influencing decision making process of human resource is as follows: Fostering innovative and modern ideas: It is the job of HR department to encourage
modern and new actions within single person so that system can be executed in
acceptable mode. BT group have team structure that have assigned duties and roles that
has top be played. Providing incentives or increment: Constructive workers relationship should allow
employer to that fair decisions should be made on deciding incentives according to
particular cadre of workers.
 Not increasing company cost: If proper and accurate working environment is there
between manager and its team members than the cost can be effectively managed. There
are several expenses that has to be decently conducted. Cost effectiveness should be
maintain in order to achieve set targets (C G Davidson, McPhail and Barry, 2011).
P6. Identify the key elements of employment legislation and the impact upon HRM decision
making
Company have to operate in accordance to some employment legislations that are
formulated by government body. Hence, it has to be accepted by every type of business
organisation. There are several components of employment legislations that impacts HR
decisions having diverse dimensions: Health and Safety Act, 1974: According to this act it focuses on controlling the health
issues of each individuals. BT group render working environment that encourage good
health of employees by taking care of these issues. For instance labours are given
command about the use of certain equipments that should be handled carefully. Non
adherence to such policies lead to face various problems. Equal Pay Act, 1970: According to this act BT company do not make any discrimination
among employees on the basis of gender, colour, creed or customers. All are equal in
front of the organisation system. Salary structure should be framed by higher
management level according to job position and work. For instance female should not be
treated different from male staff members, they should be given equal opportunity in the

system. The introduction of this act remove barriers related to unequal pay among
employees and hence they remain happy with the system (Bondarouk and Ruël, 2013). Data protection Act, 1998: BT company have to maintain security of data related to any
process, human resource or system. Proper system should be established by management
to carry out protection aspect in proper way so that no issues can be raised that pose
difficulty in front of company. Disability rights: It is the policy of organisation to hire disable person in their
organisation so that they can able to act equal in front of society where there are different
segments of people living together. There are disable members living in society and
therefore they should be provided equal rights by hiring them in the company system.
 RIDDOR, 2013: This act is established to reduce any unfavourable events that may arise
in business life like diseases etc. BT group have proper well established system that keep
track on such issues so that employees can work in protective environment which will be
free from any associated risks.
Influence on HRM decisions:
 The above discussed employment legislations should be taken into consideration while
forming any particular HR practice.
 Equal Pay Act should be properly drafted by human resource manager that signifies
balanced payment to employees working in firm so that they do not feel any grudges
about the system.
 Manager should draft policies that include protection of health and safety matters of each
individual as it is of prime importance for them.
Hence, from the above discussion it is noticed that there are number of rules framed by
government body that is in favourable of their working process (Bučiūnienė and Kazlauskaitė,
2012). All these rules must be adopted by HR manager to draw accurate law for the workers of
BT group.

TASK 4
P7. Illustrate the application of HRM practices in work related context
HRM practices are carried out effectively in today's organisation which is as follows:
 Job Advertisement: It is a information that contains details regarding hiring that has to be
made in company. Hence, employees can able to submit applications to company. The
main role played by job advertisement is that prospective employees get all subject
matter of specific job.
Function of Job advertisement
JOB VACANCY
BT company is giving the chance to be a part of this well established organisation. There is a
vacancy of a job for a ASSISTANT MANAGER to showcase unique skills. It is a UK based
firm providing telecommunication services and deliver high quality products. Be a constructive
resource of this big administration BT.
Pre requisites of this job:
 Age must be in between 25 years to 30 years.
 Should be a experience holder of not less than 6 years.
 Candidate must possess MBA degree with specialisation in HR from recognised
management establishment.
 Should have accurate knowledge about recent HRM practices.
 Excellent communication skills.
 Should possess leadership skills.
 Good personality.
 Proposed salary- 16000 to 20000 pounds per month in accordance to experience.
Candidates who are fascinated and contain all these qualities can send their CV on Company's
email- [e-mail]. Last date for the process is March 25, 2018.
Selected person will be invited for the next round.

There are several sources of advertisement on which company can supply their matter to large
number of public. Mostly used method is print media in which institution print their advertising
substance. Job specification: It is a statement that illustrate particular knowledge, skills and capacity
that is attached to particular job that is present in business organisation. Therefore, it aids
in fulfilling the recruitment and selection process that is conducted by HR manager.
JOB SPECIFICATION OF ASSISTANT MANAGER
Qualification Commerce background
Master in business administration in human
resource management
Experience holder Between 5 to 7 years
Specific skills Leadership and good communication
Other qualities Having patience to bear challenges in future,
positive thinking, curious to know about new
process.
CONCLUSION
From the assignment it can be concluded that human resource management plays an
indispensable role in organisation system. It maintains the employees of the business firm to
make them work according to company's policy and vision. Human resource manager carry out
such process in efficacious and economical style. There are several functions that has to be
performed including recruitment, selection, training and development. Leaders focuses on
enhancing knowledge and skills of individual to conduct their work process in proper way.
Training plays an essential function in BT group, Human resource manager have to carry out this

process in creative manner. This report also throws light on importance of employment relations
that should be maintained within the company institution.
REFERENCES
Books and Journals

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