Comprehensive Analysis of Human Resource Management at British Airways

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices within British Airways, a prominent airline in the service industry. The report begins by analyzing the role and purpose of HRM, emphasizing its strategic importance in achieving competitive advantages, particularly in the context of the airline industry's growth. It then justifies a human resource plan based on supply and demand analysis, considering factors such as flight schedules, manpower gaps, and internal/external influences. The report also assesses the current state of employment relations, highlighting the significance of unionization and its impact on organizational structure and employee management. Furthermore, it explores the effects of employment law on HRM, discusses job descriptions and person specifications for specific roles, and compares selection processes across different service industry businesses. Finally, the report evaluates the contribution of training and development activities to the effective operation of British Airways, providing valuable insights into HRM strategies and their practical application within the aviation sector.

Human Resource
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Analyse the role and purpose of human resource management in selected service industry
................................................................................................................................................3
1.2 Justify a human resources plan based on an analysis of supply and demand for a selected
service industry business........................................................................................................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................8
2.1 Assess the current state of employment relations in a selected service industry.............9
2.2 Discuss how employment law affects the management of human resources.................10
TASK 3..........................................................................................................................................11
3.1 Discuss a job description and person specification for a selected service industry job. 11
3.2 Compare the selection process of different service industries businesses.....................13
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................14
4.1 Assess the contribution of training and development activities to the effective operation of
a selected service industry business.....................................................................................15
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................17
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................18

INTRODUCTION
Human resource management is termed as strategic initiative of company which helps in
managing people at workplace in such a manner that contributes in gaining competitive
advantage (Alfes and et. al., 2013). Employees are taken as best organisational resource as they
executes operational work for attaining company's objectives. The main motive of human
resource manager is to develop positive relationship between employer and employee so that
organisational work can be executed in a better manner. Airline industry is considered as the
highest growing part of service sector. The current project is based on British Airways, one of
the renown companies in aviation business. British Airways is the United Kingdom based
organisation headquartered at Harmondsworth. This report will provide information on role and
purpose of HRM and also include justification of human resource plan that relies upon analysis
of supply and demand. At next, it will cover information on current state of employment
relations and effects of employment laws on Human resource management. In the next section,
discussion will be made on person specification and job description. It will also illustrate
comparison between different selection process of two separate job profile within the service
industry. At last, assessment of training and development and its contribution towards effective
operations of service industry will be discussed.
TASK 1
1.1 Analyse the role and purpose of human resource management in selected service industry
Every human resource manager places additional efforts to develop positive relations
with employees in order to influence them to agree on every organisational policy. It can be said
that support of employees is very important in airlines industry as without employees,
organisation can not attain its targets. In context of International Airline Group, the company is
considered as the world's best airline group that is having 573 aircraft which flies to around 268
destination. It is the parent company of other leading companies of aviation sector that is British
Airways, LEVEL, Aer Lingus, Vueling and Iberia (Budhwar and Debrah, 2013). It has been
analysed that British Airways have indulged into an agreement under which it is allowed to start
their flight between Madeira and Heathrow. In this regard, head of human resource department
have conducted session for newly hired Assistant HR manager in which they are explained about

role and purpose HRM in British Airways so that their operation could attain success. Both of
them are explained below:
Planning and forecasting – It is the first role of HR manager while commencing
towards new operations. Here, it is essential for HR manager to plan about the required
workforce in the coming time so that recruitment can be done on the basis of this prediction only.
This will help them out in avoiding issues associated with shortage of employees or excessive
employees. This will assist airline industry as well as firms operated in sector like British
Airways in maintaining adequate workforce within organisation.
Recruitment process – In this, HR manager is required to recruit new workforce or they
might also transfer their existing one at new location so that work could be managed in effective
manner (Chelladurai and Kerwin, 2017). In British Airways, candidates are mainly judged on the
basis of their technical knowledge. Thus, it is essential for HR manager to go through the lengthy
process of recruitment that initiates from checking of eligibility of candidates and winds up at
their selection or rejection. At the time of recruitment process, HR manager goes through few
phases such as interviews, screening, checking background etc.
Employment contract – Employment contract of British Airways includes information
salary of employees, leaves policies, medical facilities etc. Here, Role of HR manager in British
Airways is to explain every selected candidate about the employment contract and get their sign
on it in order to adhere it with laws.
Monitoring of employees – Here, role of HR manager is to monitor each and every
activity of selected candidates after their enrolment so that evaluation of their performance can
be done. It also allows HR department to understand specific weak areas of employees which can
be improved with the training and development session.
Budget monitoring – Apart from all of other roles, HR manager of British Airways is
also required to manage allotted money effectively so that all HR expenses could be managed
within it only (Huselid and Becker, 2011).
Relationships – It is considered as the main role of HR manager. In this, main priority of
HR manager of British Airways is to develop positive relationship between employees as well as
employer so that their string collaboration could give maximum benefits to organisation.
The main purpose of HRM is to maximise productivity of company by influencing
employees to perform their work in best manner. Moreover, other purpose of human resource

management is to fulfil requirement of staff within the British Airways so that its all business
processes can execute its work in effective manner. Also, it is important for HR manager to
comply with all legal aspects in order to ensure that all work are executed in effective manner.
Another purpose of HR management is to provide maximum benefits to staff so that get
motivated effectively and enhance their devotion towards the company. Purpose of companies
might varies according to situation and sector of company. In context to British Airways, the
company uses two of its common approaches of HRM that is hard and soft. Both of them are
described as below:
Hard approach – This approach simply states that business should focus on three core
elements that is hiring, moving and firing employees. In this, HR manager does not differentiate
between resources and employees. They simply gives equivalent priorities to machinery, money
and manpower. Here negligible power is given to employees. In context to British Airways,
human resource department of this company does not follow this approach.
Soft approach – According to this approach, businesses prefers to give more priorities to
employees rather than other assets. In context of British Airways, the HR manager of this
company emphasises on requirement of employees and also provides them rewards in order to
motivate them. The main purpose of using this HRM approach is to initiate two way
communication at regular interval so that demand of employees can be communicated to
employer effectively. This will contribute in enhancing satisfaction level of employees which
also develops positive relationship among employer and employees (López-Nicolás and Meroño-
Cerdán, 2011).
1.2 Justify a human resources plan based on an analysis of supply and demand for a selected
service industry business
HRM planning is considered as procedure that helps businesses in planning and hiring
employees for organisation who will further work effectively in accomplishment of their
predetermined goals and objectives. On the basis of provided scenario, it has been analysed that
there would be 7 flights from Heathrow and other 7 would return from Madeira every week at
the time of peak season. Whereas, in the remaining season there will four flights from Heathrow
and the similar number of flights returning from Madeira every week. As per this fluctuation,
HR manager has developed HR plan towards the same which is described as below:
HR PLAN of BRITISH AIRWAYS

Analysis of
organisational objectives
At the first and foremost step of HR plan, it essential for HR manager
to analyse objectives of British Airways. Here, with reference to
Madeira trip, the main objective company is to provide safe and
comfortable trip to passengers at the time of their travel.
Existing Human
Resource Availability
At second step, HR manager is responsible to check availability of
existing workforce within the British Airways which could be used
for executing work of new 7 flights which are initiating for Madeira
trip.
Demand and Supply
Forecast
At next level, HR manager is required to forecast demand and supply
of workforce in British Airways in their new Madeira trip. In this,
HR manager of British Airways is required to forecast employees at
different ground and for different job role such as cabin crew, ground
staff, air traffic controller, pilots etc. As per the estimation, it has
been analysed that the company will require workforce of:
 Minimum 2 pilots for every flight
 6 Cabin crew members
 7 on board engineers
 20-25 ground staff members for both locations that is
Heathrow Airport and Maideira.
All of these members will have to perform their job responsibilities 6
hours per day.
Estimation of manpower
gap
It is determined that existing workforce for ground staff and cabin
crew members is not sufficient as the British Airways is executed
starting new flights which means that it requires more staff who
could manage the work of new locations (Marchington and et. al.,
2016). This difference in actuality and estimation is termed as
manpower gap. Thus, it is essential for the company to hire new
ground staff members.
Action Plan For fulfilling requirement of cabin crew and ground staff, the British
Airways requires to adopt effective recruitment and selection process

through which better workforce can be hired.
Influence of internal factors on Human resource planning
 Skills and capability of employees
 Budget of British Airways that is developed for Madeira trip
 Organisational structure
Influence of external factors on Human resource planning
 Competition developed by other rivalry companies within UK.
 Changes in policies developed by UK government associated with recruitment and
selection process.
 Compliance of legislation

TASK 2

2.1 Assess the current state of employment relations in a selected service industry
Employee relations are considered as the initiative of the company towards managing
relationship between employees and employer. With reference to Airline industry, it can be said
that effective employment relations is helpful for them in maintaining their workforce satisfy in
the company by retaining existing employees and hiring new one according to the requirement.
In context of British Airways, current state of employment relations within the Airline Industry
are described as below:
Unionisation
Union refers to the group of people who represents all employees in total. It plays an
essential role in the airline industry as it works as the link between workforce and employer. As
per the current represented scenario, it has been observed that role of employment relation is
very dense in the Airline industry as it totally relies upon the growth of the British Airways
(Messersmith and et. al., 2011). With reference to British Airways, it is essential for its human
resource manager to use unionisation as its core strategy so that it can lead airline industry.
Some of the main ways in which British Airways uses unionisation as its strategies are
described as below:
 Structure: Unionisation is helpful for British Airways in creating effective
organisational structure as its management of human resources is done in rightful
manner.
 Culture: Unionisation also ensures that all work associated activities within British
Airways are executed in ethical manner which contributes in creating better culture at
workplace.
 Collective Bargaining: Collective bargaining is considered as the best strategy which is
helpful in developing positive relationship among employer and employee by
considering main aspects like benefits, safety standards, working hours, fair wages etc.
which protects rights of employees.
 Negotiations: It can be said that unionisation is helpful for Airline industry as it
supports in reducing employee turnover rate in British Airways by retaining existing
employees.

Employee Participation:
It is essential for an organisation to ensure participation of each and every employee in
the process of decision-making so as to increase their interests in organisational functions. With
the help of this, they can able to reduce excessive stress from employees. Thus, it become
essential for organisation like British Airways to effectively ensure employee participations. For
this, they can provide rewards and incentives to their workforce as to gain more competitive
edge within marketplace while ensuring global positioning (Renwick, Redman and Maguire,
2013).
Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures:
Focus of Airline industry is now a days diverting towards ethical working practices,
development of positive working environment for employees so that they can work with their
maximum capabilities. Grievance and Disciplinary Procedures is considered as the main
strategy that is implemented by British Airways in order to develop positive relationship
among employer and employee. It simply means that every individual works in company is
required to comply with code of conduct. Along with this, it is also essential for the
management team to make employees feel comfortable at workplace so that they can contact to
superiors in case of any misshapen or for filing complaint about the issues. Discuss how
employment law affects the management of human resources in a selected service industry
business
2.2 Discuss how employment law affects the management of human resources
Employment legislation is termed as the laws which are developed for establishing
minimum conditions associated with employees like minimum wage act, minimum working
hour, anti discriminatory act, equality act, etc. It can be said that these laws are developed for
protecting employees from any kind of unethical behaviour at workplace and also supports them
in their professional growth. With reference to airline industry, it has been analysed that
employment laws directly places influence over management of human resources. Some of the
major legislation which affects British Airways are described as below:
Maternity and Paternity rights: This act is generally developed by the government in
order to support working individuals during their maternity and paternity time. In context to
British Airways the company has separate schemes for both male and female staff during their
maternity and paternity period. The company is planning to schedule 52 weeks paid leaves for

females during their maternity period which can be availed by them according to their
requirements. Whereas, the company provides around two week paid leave to male staff during
their paternity period. This act directly places affect on management of Human resources in
British Airways as the manager have to fairly take decision at the time of providing leaves to
employees. Along with this, they are required to understand situation of employees at the time
of their requirement and provide them benefit of the leave accordingly (Rubery and Urwin,
2011).
Employment rights act, 1996: This act was developed by government of UK in 1966
which includes all aspect of employees who works in business organisation (The Employment
Rights Act, 2019). This act is required to be adhered by Airline Industry as it will help them in
retaining their workforce loyal with them for longer period of time. In context of British
Airways, its HR manager basically focuses on standard leaves, wages, protection of payments,
training schedules, standard of working hours and different factors which are required to
considered by them at the time of terminating employees. This ensures that company is giving
preferences to employees as well as their rights so that they work effectively in the company.
Equality Act, 2010: The act simply ensure that organisations are required to perform
their job responsibility without being discriminated or partial with any employees or society. It
includes equal treatment and practices that are given to employees within organisational
premises. With reference to British Airways, it is essential for its human resource department to
adhere with this law as if in case they do not comply with it, then it might indulge them into any
illegal activity. For this, they mainly emphasises on providing equal working conditions,
rewards, salary etc. to existing workforce.
TASK 3
3.1 Discuss a job description and person specification for a selected service industry job
Job description
A job description is termed as the written document of specific job. It mainly includes
purpose, roles and responsibilities, working conditions, scope of particular job along with its job
title, specific name of individual to whom that employee is going to report. Every organisation
has its own recruitment process. In context to British Airways, HR manager of this company

follows their own recruitment process which is consist of many steps like acceptance of
candidates online forms, online assessment, final interview and so on. The manager also check
employment background of candidates from their 5 five year employment record. It can also be
said that recruitment process of this company has been taken into consideration by observing its
labour market conditions. The term labour market refers to external tool which is helping in
bringing workforce in company (Schermerhorn and et. al., 2014). In context of British Airways,
training and education, wages, individuals quality, working environment and working hours are
some of the main factors which places effects on its labour market. For the post of cabin crew in
British Airways, employees are required to maintain positive relation with peer member and
emphasise on providing secure and safe travelling experience to customers. Job description for
the post of cabin crew is developed in such a manner which will mention all skills, knowledge,
responsibilities,etc. That is required to own by candidates who wants to apply for it. Human
resource manager of British Airways simply uses their own official website in order to update
job seekers about vacant positions.
Person Specification
Person specification includes description of skills, knowledge, qualification, attribute and
experience that is mandatory to be owned by candidate who possess to perform job
responsibilities in company. Effective communication skill, confidence, maintaining relationship
with colleagues as well as customers, comfortable in flexible working hours, patience,
experience etc. are considered as the main skills which are preferred by British Airways at the
time of hiring candidates in their company. For the job position of Cabin crew essential skills for
candidate are patience, soft communication skills, confidence, ability to work in odd working
hours etc. Whereas, desirable skills for cabin crew is to maintain healthy relationship with
customers as well as colleagues. Person specification also helps human resource department of
British Airways in enhancing effectiveness of their selection process as they are more clear with
their own requirements that what they want in candidates so that they can get selected. The
company also conducts numerous of training and development sessions for Cabin crew members
so that they can tackle difficult situation and handle customers in positive manner. It has also
been observed that some legal standards that are developed by European Safety and Aviation
Agency which analyse aviation safety regulation and performs inspection at regular basis, in
order to check that whether companies dealing this section are complying with these laws or not.