Human Resource Management Report: British Airways HRM Strategies

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices within British Airways, focusing on various aspects crucial to its operations. The report begins by defining HRM and its role in the service industry, specifically within the context of British Airways, an aviation industry leader. It analyzes the core functions of HRM, including planning, recruitment, and contract management, and justifies a detailed HR plan based on supply and demand analysis. The report then assesses the current state of employment relations, including the role of trade unions and employee participation, and discusses how employment laws impact HRM. Furthermore, it delves into job descriptions and person specifications for selected service industry roles, comparing selection processes across different businesses. Finally, the report evaluates the contribution of training and development activities to the effective operation of British Airways. This report provides valuable insights into the strategic importance of HRM in the aviation sector, highlighting how effective HR practices contribute to organizational success.

Human Resource
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................3
TASK 1 ...........................................................................................................................................3
1.1 Analyse the role & basic purpose of human resource management in a service industry....3
1.2 Justify a human resources plan based on an analysis of supply and demand for a selected
service industry business.............................................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................6
2.1 Assessment of current state of employment relations in company belonging to service
industry........................................................................................................................................6
2.2 Discuss how employment law affects the management of human resources.......................7
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
3.1 Discuss a job description and person specification for a selected service industry job........8
3.2 Compare the selection process of different service industries businesses..........................10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
4.1 Assess the contribution of training and development activities to the effective operation of
a selected service industry business..........................................................................................11
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................13
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................13

INTRODUCTION
Human resource management can be defined as a strategic initiative of companies which
is done by them to manage employees in their company. Employees are most essential resource
for every company, they are responsible for smooth running of all operations of company.
Employees are most important organisational resource for every company, who are responsible
for achievement of objectives set by company. This present report is based on British airways
which is part of aviation industry. British airways is located in UK and its headquarters are
present in Harmondsworth. There are various information being included in this report which
includes role, purpose of HRM, justification of HR pan, present employment relations, effect of
employment laws, job description and person specification is used, comparison between
selection process(Stewart and Brown, 2019). Lastly, training of employees and its contribution in
operations of company is discussed.
TASK 1
1.1 Analyse the role & basic purpose of human resource management in a service industry
HR manager is very important for every company, they help in development of positive
and healthy relations among employees at different levels in company. It is necessary that there
is employee support in every company, as this is something which is required for attainment of
objectives of company. British airways is one of successful industries in airlines across world.
This company has a HR department which is responsible for achievement of corporate objectives
of company with the help of ensuring efficiency in HRM functions. Role and purpose of Human
resource management in British Airways:
Planning: It is most important role played by HR manager in which they try to anticipate
and forecast what can be future requirements in company and according to that workforce
planning is done. There are many issues which can prevail in a company, HR department is
responsible for solving of such issues.
Recruitment: HR manager of every company is responsible for recruitment of new
workforce in company(Stone and Deadrick, 2015). It is this department which is actually
responsible for recruiting required number of employees in company. In British airways,
candidates are judged based on technical knowledge which they posses. There is a series of steps

which are followed in this company which includes receiving applicants, screening, conducting
interviews and then finally selecting.
Contract of Employment: British airways has a employment of contract, which posses
information related to employee salary, policies related to leave, medical facilities being
provided to employees etc. in British Airways, it is important to explain selected candidates
about their employment contract and there must be proper adherence to all laws in that contract.
Monitoring of Budget: HR manager of British Airways, is required to properly manage
budget allocated to this department, so that all expenses can be properly managed and monitored
by HR department.
Controlling and Monitoring: It is also a requirement that British Airways is able to
monitor their functions related to employees. Only planning is not sufficient for any company it
is also a need to ensure that these functions are executed properly in company(shen and Benson,
2016).
Purpose of HRM is always dynamic and it keeps on changing according to requirement
and changing needs of company. It is a necessary requirement that HR department is able to
change their policies and laid down procedure if situation so demands in certain circumstances.
1.2 Justify a human resources plan based on an analysis of supply and demand for a selected
service industry business
HRM planning has been always considered very important procedure which is helpful in
planning of business actions and also related to hiring of employees in company. There is a plan
always required in companies so that operations are conducted smoothly and without any
barriers. HR manager of British Airways has following plan related to HR department of
Company:
HR PLAN of British Airways
Analysing Organisational objectives in
company
First step og HR planning is to make a detailed
analysis of objectives of company. Objectives
can differ according to company. In case of
British Airways company always aims to
maximize efficiency and their profitability.
Existing Human resource in company In second step, HR manager will check present

situation of workforce, analysing of present
situation is also necessary to ascertain the
requirements(Morgeson, Brannick and Levine,
2019).
Forecasting Demand and supply
requirements
At next step, HR manager has to make
adequate forecasts related to required profiles
and according to different candidature of
prospective candidates have to be considered
in company. Different post for which
recruitment can be done can be ground staff,
traffic controller, cabin crew, pilots etc.
Identification of gap After there has been proper analysis made
between existing situation and situation of
demand and supply of workforce has to be
analysed in company. All this helps in
estimation of deviation and then efforts and
planning is done to fill such gaps. There are
different locations in which British Airways is
having its presence, according to those
requirements in locations further planning of
recruitment is done in company.
Implementation of decided plan For fulfilling various requirements in British
Airways, effective recruitment, process of
selection is required to be followed in
company. Planning is done in previous steps
and at this stage implementation of that
decided plan is done.
Influence of internal factors on HR planning in British Airways:
 Skills and competence possessed by existing employees in company.
 Financial Budget of laid down by Financial department of company.

 Structure of company.
Influence of external factors on HR planning on British Airways:
 Amount of competition present in market
 changes in Policies and amendment in laws being made by UK government with regard
to selection and recruitment procedure of companies.
 Company is able to do adequate compliance with all legal requirements.
TASK 2
2.1 Assessment of current state of employment relations in company belonging to service
industry
Relationship among employees is considered to be very important for every company to
make sure that there is healthy relations between employer & employees at different levels in
company. In context of British Airways, it is important for company to maintain their workforce
in accordance with demand at various different levels(Marchington and et. al., 2016). Following
is present state of employee relations in British airways with context to Airline industry in UK:
Trade Unions: Trade union means group of employees who are representative of all
employees in the company. These unions have very important role to be played in company. In
present scenario of Airline industry in UK this industry is relying on British Airways, for growth
of this industry. For HR manager of British Airways it is important that they are able to use
unionisation as a strategy that can help hem in success of this industry.
Employee participation: Participation of employee is considered as very important tool
for companies which can help them in keeping their workforce satisfied and happy. British
Airways, must also try to ensure satisfaction of employees by using a democratic style of
leadership in their company. Views and thoughts of employees should also be considered
whenever company is trying to make a decision whether it is major or related to employees. If
employees will be given a chance to participate then this will lead to better decision and there
will be contended workforce in company(López-Nicolás and Meroño-Cerdán, 2011).

2.2 Discuss how employment law affects the management of human resources.
The employment laws plays an very important role in each and every organization.
Although, it is used to regulate rights, roles and responsibility, duties as well as different
functions among employees and employers of British Airways. This is also known as labour
laws, as they are formulated to bring the safety as well as security of workers which focuses on
emphasising on treating employees equally and fairly without any discrimination. Furthermore,
all employment laws and legislation main aim and objective is to protect employees and
employer's as well as well being of their interests(John and Taylor, 2016). The different
employment laws of British Airways company are supports the government constitutions,
legislations, rules and regulations etc. Here different employment applied in British Airways are
discussed in brief under:
Employee relations act: It is an act which comes into existence in October 2004. This
act main objective is to focuses on forming different laws as well as rules which will benefits
employees as well as employers working in British Airways company. This act helps
management and employees in building effective relations with each other. Although, an
effective and good employment relations creates an happy and healthy working environment in
business organization. Thus, employee relation in British Airways is good that creates in healthy
workplace for them. Furthermore, this act focuses on providing various numerous rights and
responsibilities to employees as well as labourers just like trade union recognition and de-
recognition and many more.
Employee rights act: This law focuses on showing and deals with all the rights of
employee within business organization. Thus, it include nearly all rights as well as obligations
which arise among employee and employer relationship. In context to British Airways, this law
is to be followed by each and every employees who are working in company. It can be current
employees employees, applicants who are applying for new jobs as well as former employees
who drooped the organisation(Jabbour and de Sousa Jabbour, 2016). Each and every employee
in workplace has some different certain rights which will be beneficial for them, some of the
rights are fair compensation, no discrimination on bases on gender, right to privacy, no
discrimination on bases on age and many more rights.

The above are the most important factors which affects management as well as function
of human resources in British Airways company. As human resource department plays an vital
role in every business which concern and follows various policies and strategy for developing
and building the trust and loyalty among employees as they can feel safe and secure in their
business organization. Furthermore, al of these laws and legislation and policies will help
management in retaining human resource or workforce in their company for a much long time
period and also it helps employees work with greater efficiency and productivity(Huselid and
Becker, 2011).
TASK 3
3.1 Discuss a job description and person specification for a selected service industry job.
Human resource is defined as an systematic approach which focuses on managing
functions and responsibilities of each and every employees working in business organisation.
Although, this function plays an very important role in business for enhancing overall
productivity activities of employees as well as organization. Human resource managers of British
airways company has focuses on ensuring that, their recruitment process is conducted in
effective and efficient manner. Along with this, HR manager of company developed
different specimen's documents for hiring appropriate candidates for their company. In present
context, the manager has designed job description as well as person specification for the post of
“Cabin Crew”, for their company(Chelladurai and Kerwin, 2017). Thus, they have published
their vacancy details as job description which includes job purpose, roles & responsibilities and
important information. In addition to this, human resource manager of British airways company
also gone thorough with person specification for the same job profile, which includes candidates
essential and desired skills, education, working experience and many more criteria.
Job description for Cabin Crew
Job Details:
Post: Cabin Crew
Company: British Airways
Roles & Responsibilities:

 To greet every passengers as they board and exit the plane.
 To show seats to passengers and also provides special attention to certain passengers,
such as the elderly or disabled.
 To check all the seat belts as well as galleys are secure prior before to take-off.
 To serve meals and refreshments to passengers.
 To check provision of emergency equipment and provide proper information to
passengers.
 To administrate first aid and also deals with emergencies(Budhwar and Debrah, 2013).
 To reassuring that passengers are following all safety rules.
 To complete whole paperwork, including writing a flight report etc.
Person specification for Cabin Crew
Category Essential Desirable
Qualifications  Bachelors degrees in
management.
 Diploma in hospitality
management.
 NVQs and Btecs qualified.
 Degrees in leisure.
 Degrees in travel and tourism
management.
Skills  Excellent communication as
well as interpersonal skills.
 Effective organisational &
negotiation skills.
 Fabulous management skills
 Exceptional customer service
 Ability to manage different
broad portfolio of projects.
 Effective knowledge of operations
tourism market.
 Superior business skills.
 Knowledge of different foreign
language.
 Proper commercial awareness.
 The capacity to work in a
confined space.
Special
requirements
 Minimum age of 18.
 Being flexible and proactive.
 Being able to retain historical
facts.
 Able to work out-of office hours
as required to situation.
 The capability to work quickly
and efficiently, often to tight time

constraints.
Experience  Minimum 1 year Experience in
any Airlines.
 Experience of working within a
tourism environment.
 Certificate in course of cabin
crew.
 Part-time or temporary work in
customer service.
3.2 Compare the selection process of different service industries businesses.
The human resource management is believe as an important factor for each and every
business organization. Although, the HR managers of different companies focuses on adopting
the best methods as well as techniques of recruiting and hiring the most eligible candidates for
the vacant job profile. In context to British Airways and Transport for London, the both
companies HR managers has focuses on recruiting concept for hiring best and suitable
employees for their company. Hence, they both has adopted different recruitment process of for
hiring the best suitable candidate for their business organization. Thus, their recruitment process
for both the companies are discussed under below:-
 According to above job description it has been analysed that, British Airways focuses on
hiring the appropriate candidate as they have developed large eligibility criteria for each
and every job vacancy post. With help of this, only, HR managers is effective hiring and
meeting the requirements of every factor while hiring new candidates. This company is
using online application for recruiting the applicants. If its talked about Transport for
London company, then it can be aid that human resource managers are also experiencing
the same process for recruiting potential applicants by Application Form and Walk-ins
interview(Brewster, Mayrhofer and Farndale, 2018).
 While hiring the suitable candidate, HR manager of Transport for London company is
using video conferencing as well as telephonic methods for conducting the interviews of
shortlisted candidates. As this, helps both business and recruiters in saving time and cost
that incur in interview process. Where as HR manager of British Airways, conduct direct
or face to face interview for selecting the best appropriate candidates among short listed
applicants(Baum, 2016).

 With the help of online applications and conducting face to face interview the British
Airways can gain more advantage by listing the most eligible and skilled candidates. On
the other hand HR managers of Transport for London uses different recruitment agencies,
consultancy such as Wiser which helps them in fulfilling their requirements, of vacant
position with high skilled and specialized candidates.
 The British Airways, hire their employees those who clear their full recruitment process.
After the interview the candidates has to go through with security vetting, if nominee
clear this stage then they has to face medial test. Whereas in Transport for London
company, after Video/Telephone Interview the applicant has to gone through with
different assessment Centre which can include group exercises, written exercises,
presentation as well as the role play(Brewster, 2017).
 At last, if candidate clear these stage of recruitment process then company will hire them
for the vacant job profile. Thus, British Airways hire those candidates who clears their
medials test criteria. Where as Transport for London company hires those applicant who
clear their all assessment criteria in effective and efficient manner.
Hence, recruitment process can be different for hiring the specialised and skilled
candidates in each and every business organization. But Human Resource manager ensure
that they are hiring the best suitable candidates for their companies.
TASK 4
4.1 Assess the contribution of training and development activities to the effective operation of a
selected service industry business
Training of employees is very necessary for increasing skills and knowledge of
employees in every company. These skills are important for ensuring smoothness in functions of
company.
Contribution of training & development programs in company:
In context to present case, the Human resource manager of British Airways
company is focuses on providing training and development programs to their each and every
employees. As they provide training to the employees to work in effective and efficient manner
which will help them in enhancing their productivity and efficiency(Banfield, Kay and Royles,

2018). Thus, development and training is provided in every area and operations of business
which will contribute the effectiveness in productivity of British Airways business.
The training and development is essential as it contributes in enhancing skills of
employees and also helps managers of British Airways company in improving and enhancing
the moral level as well as confidences of each employees. Along with this, it aid manager of
British Airways or their superior in addressing employees' weaknesses and the lacking area of
each candidates. So, they can improve and helps employee in overcoming form them. In addition
to this, development and training programs also aid manager of British Airways in consistency
in working.
As effective training programme will help whole workforce of British Airways company
in achieving their higher consistency as well as success in their skills, behaviour, attitude,
working, as well as productivity(Alfes and et. al., 2013). Thus, training as well as development
programs or methods focuses on ensuring that it can become a platform where each and every
employee can easily explore and enhance their skills and attributes in effective and efficient
manner.