Human Resource Management Report: HRM in Business Context

This report provides a comprehensive overview of Human Resource Management (HRM) within the context of a business, specifically "Say it with Chocolate." It delves into the core functions of HRM, including recruitment, training and development, and compensation and benefits, highlighting their significance in organizational success. The report analyzes the roles and responsibilities of an HR officer, emphasizing the importance of talent acquisition, employee training, and performance management. It also evaluates various selection methods, such as assessment tests, informal interviews, and apprenticeship programs, comparing their advantages and disadvantages. Furthermore, the report explores employee engagement strategies, flexible working practices, and employee motivation techniques, while also touching upon relevant employment legislation in the UK. The report concludes with recommendations for improving current selection methods and fostering a positive work environment. The report provides a comprehensive review of HR practices, discussing recruitment, training, employee engagement and legal aspects.

HUMAN RESOURCE
MANAGEMENT

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
PART 1............................................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
a) Purpose of HR Function and its importance to the organisation .......................................1
b) Role and responsibilities as a Human Resource Officer....................................................2
c) Advantages and disadvantages of selection method used by an organization and its
comparison to other approaches.............................................................................................3
d) Potential improvements that can be made in the current selection methods......................5
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................5
a) Person Specification for the Role.......................................................................................5
b) Suitable Medium for placing the Advertisement...............................................................6
c) Advantages as well as disadvantages of previous methods of advertising jobs.................6
d) Interview questions for Receptionist which improve the selection decision making process7
PART 2............................................................................................................................................8
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................8
a) Major advantages of apprentice program ..........................................................................8
Introduction to Microsoft.......................................................................................................8
b) Development opportunities for staff who is in permanent Job Role..................................9
c) Benefits of Flexible Working Practices.............................................................................9
d) How does Microsoft motivates employees through its job design and system of reward10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................10
a) Employee engagement ....................................................................................................10
b) Why is employee engagement an integral strategy of employee relations......................11
c) Identify some key approaches, explain their importance in terms of improving
communication.....................................................................................................................11
d) Main pieces of employment legislation in the UK a........................................................12
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................12
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................14

INTRODUCTION
Human resource management is a very important aspect of any business organisation and
thus it is quite crucial to have right kind of business policies that will ensure effective
management of the employees within the business firm. Employee retention can take place when
there is a proper training as well as development of individual within the organisation, It will
ensure that an individual will get some positive reward from the current employment and it will
help him in achieving career growth and reaching to full potential which will further enhance the
overall productivity (Hendry, 2012). The current report will have a discussion on various aspects
of Human resource management in an organisation, and how the same will going to affect the
business policy as well as competitiveness within the market. The purpose, functions and various
approaches of Human resource management in various organisation will be discussed in detail in
this report. The current report will going to have a detailed discussion on the various Human
resource practices that shall be followed by the HR Department of the organisation also the
impact of those policies on organisation and employees will also be discussed in detail in this
report.
PART 1
TASK 1
a) Purpose of HR Function and its importance to the organisation
The main purpose of Human resource department is to recruit and hire effective talent for
the organisations. Providing adequate working conditions and ensuring that effective
management of employees is also there, thus, these are some of the specific purposes of Human
resource management, which shall be fulfilled effect The next job after the same has been hired
within the company is to train and develop them in a way, which will ensure better management
of the business over period of time “ Say it with chocolate” makes a proper plan that will allow
the manager as well as HR Department to effectively frame right kind of policies for recruitment
and selection of talented individuals within the organisation.. The main purpose and function of
HRM is discussed as follows:
Recruitment: The main function of any HR Department is to make sure that right kind of
talented people are hired within the organisation which will contribute in raising the efficiency as
well as productivity of company in longer run (Functions of HRM, 2018). The department
1

follows a proper process of recruitment which includes receipt of applications, screening,
interviews, selection and then recruitment (Bratton and Gold, 2017).
Training and development: This will ensure that employees are trained as well as developed in a
manner which will lead to an increment in their efficiency till they are in the organisation and
once they leave the firm, it will help in boosting their career as well. Thus a higher growth can be
expected within the business, if proper training and development of employees are done.
Compensation and Benefits: The other task that needs to be performed by a HR Manager
includes ensuring that employees are getting right kind of compensation as well as benefits are
given to employees on the basis of their job role and specifications (Brewster and Hegewisch
eds., 2017).
The importance of these functions is that it will help organisation in effectively managing
its employees and at the same time will also ensure that
Current Problem and future plan for Growth
There are various current issues and problems that are being faced by 'Say it with
Chocolates' such as manager shall need to perform their role of retaining employees in and
appropriate manner. The company is facing the issue of labour turnover, and thus it can be said
that it can result in higher cost of hiring and training to organisation, thus there is a specific need
to plan effective policies to keep them with firm over longer period of time. Also, there is need
to maintain employee performance along with organisational performance in general. There is
need to provide various compensatory benefits to employees in order to achieve their satisfaction
from the job.
b) Role and responsibilities as a Human Resource Officer
The role of a Human resource officer in an organisation is quite vast and the same should
be fulfilled in a manner which will spur growth and development of the organisation and its
overall employees in the longer run. Their role is to manage, control and co-ordinate along with
formulating effective strategies for future growth and development of the organisation. Being an
HR officer in 'Say it with chocolate’, HR officer have to perform certain important functions
such as attracting, hiring, developing and managing necessary talents within the organisation.
Some of the responsibilities that are being followed by as an HR Officer are as follows:
Hiring: This is one of the primary job of an HR Officer; the aim is to make sure that effective
and capable talents are hired within the organisation for the purpose of growth and development
2

and fulfilment of organisational tasks as well as objectives over longer period of time. As an HR
officer, I will have to see that efficient people are added to the workforce of the organisation by
testing their skills through various rounds of interviews as well as tests.
Training and Development: I am also responsible to make sure that people who are being hired
for the job should get necessary training for performing their job role in effective as well as
efficient manner. It is one of the most important role that need to be played by the HR officer for
grooming the employees and workers of the organisation in an effective way.
Management of Pay and Salary issues : My another Role as an HR Officer is to make sure that
all the employees receive their compensation on time and they shall not have any issues
regarding their pay. This will make employees feel motivated for the work.
Performance Appraisal: It is the responsibility of the HR officer that employees will get
necessary appraisals for the work that is being done by them and if such appraisals will take
place from time to time then employees will feel enthusiastic and motivated to work for the
organisation in an effective way. I have to take care that all the employees and their performance
and on that basis needs to design a appraisal plan for them in an effective way (Armstrong and
Taylor, 2014). 'Say it with Choclate is an organisation which is developing quite rapidly and thus
it can be said that it will have to manage its employee in an efficient manner, Various policies
and procedures needs to be framed which will ensure that employees will remain with this new
firm and would not switch on a consistent basis, which will be a negative for the organisation in
all aspects.
c) Advantages and disadvantages of selection method used by an organization and its
comparison to other approaches.
"Say it with chocolate" is the quickly developing organization which is arranged in North
Yorkshire that gives customized chocolate based welcome cards and it exists all over UK. The
business involve with chocolate in creation group, a back and showcasing group and packaging
and dissemination segment. In this situation, the organization depends on territory of high work.
There are different number of candidates for overseeing and controlling all business activities.
There are various tools which can be utilized by organisation and furthermore portray their
favourable circumstances and disservices in appropriate ways that are clarified as under:
Assessment Test
3

 Advantages: The use of online appraisal spares a lot of cash and time of an association.
Truth be told, this appraisal is finished in least day and age, yet in addition expansive
number of competitors are finished this evaluation at same time. "Say it with chocolate"
are leading English and Maths test online premise where every competitor require
passing imprint approx. half for both the tests. An individual who accomplished the
passing imprint then they are chosen for the following round. This can be utilized for
determination, advancement and preparing of applicants. In this technique, applicants can
enhance their quality and furthermore disposing of their weaknesses in an effective way. Disadvantages: The online appraisal isn't particularly so preferences exceed them up
until now. This is extremely costly and tedious in nature. They are exceedingly talented
and experienced troughs which need to assess or measure all competitors learning and
capacities (Briscoe, Tarique and Schuler, 2012).
Informal Interviews Advantages – In this casual meeting, organization supervisor can check understanding as
well as assessing different implications with specific hopeful. Information and data can
pick up compatibility so they jump at the chance to open this in better way. In this,
respondents are more probable for examining about delicate and difficult encounters.
Therefore, they feel that questioner is assessing and understanding occupation position in
legitimate way. According to the case situation, the meeting is extremely a casual chart
which takes approx. 15 minutes with every applicant. Additionally they have presently
been sure objection from candidates about decency of such test and different number of
newcomers has been flopped in the probation period. Disadvantages – Informal meeting can take an incredible estimation of time and cost for
the meetings which happen inside an association. The competitors primarily tend to open
about misrepresent variables of their conduct which appear as socially alluring and limit
different factors adequately.
Interview Questions
 Explain Yourself
 Give Reasons for your hiring.
 What are your strengths as well as weaknesses? Where do you see yourself 5 years from now?
4

References Advantages: The references will proficient for talking about applicant’s current aptitudes
and capacities which has been set. Alongside this, official need to supply current cases of
their accomplishing quality and change regions. Disadvantages: Sometime the official gives misdirecting references to the possibility for
association work position. The companion references and counter offers will make
hindrances in regards to work assignment of a worker inside an association.
Apprenticeship:
It is the method in which human resource manager give training to the employees and
hence they can achieve superior outcomes. It is the best method to maximise the skills of
workers.
Advantages: Maximise the motivation level of employees so that they can provide good results
and outcomes.
Weakness: This method provide dissatisfaction among other employees as in which some are
encouraged to higher level.
d) Potential improvements that can be made in the current selection methods
The current selection methods can be improved by introducing various other methods of
selection. These include formal interviews, telephonic interviews etc. These methods can also
help the company in getting the best possible talent in an efficient manner. Thus, “Say it with
chocolate” can look for these alternate methods of selection for recruitment of employees and
workers within the organisation which may enhance the level of productivity of the organisation
(Daley, 2012).
TASK 2
a) Person Specification for the Role.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST: Receptionist
Department: Administration
Reporting to: Administration Manager
CRITERIA ESSENTIAL DESIRABLE
5

Qualification Should be a graduate and
shall have the ability to
communicate effectively with
clients.
A graduate or Post Graduate
from HR Stream is desirable.
Experience and Skills  Shall have the
knowledge of handing
clients, keeping
reception are in proper
manner, answering as
well as forwarding
calls effectively.
 Completing
Administrative
Paperwork
 Providing Customer
Service Support.
Personal Qualities  Should be cool and
calm and shall know
how to deal in
difficult situations.
 Effectively using all
the IT Facilities,
ordering of
refreshments for
visitors etc.
b) Suitable Medium for placing the Advertisement.
For the purpose of placing an advertisement regarding job vacancies, there are numerous
alternatives that are being available with Say it with chocolate. As company is carrying a brand
image and reputation within the market, it has to make sure that it justifies the same by selecting
appropriate chancel of communication and advertising its vacancies in an effective manner.
There are various mediums that can be selected by organisation such as Newspaper Advertising,
through which company will be able to reach larger individuals or employment exchange which
is yet another medium of getting the talented as well as capable individuals within the
organisation. There is vacancy within the organisation can also be communicated through other
channels like Digital media tools like websites, mobile applications etc. This will enable faster
processing and will help organisation in finding the right talent for the job (Huselid and Becker,
2011).
6

c) Advantages as well as disadvantages of previous methods of advertising jobs.
The previous method that is being used by the organisation has its own advantages as
well as disadvantages which can be discussed in detail as follows:
Newspaper Advertising
Advantages
 Cost effective and easier accessibility for the organisation and Job seekers.
 Helps in reaching large number of Job seekers. Specific requirements and Job role can be laid down so that only eligible candidates will
apply.
Disadvantages
 Time Consuming. Cannot guarantee for the talent that will be obtained.
Online Portals
Advantages
 It has made it easy for the job seekers to directly contact with employers.
 Resumes can be posted directly to company which will be viewed by the HR Department
of the company. Cost effective for Job applicants.
Disadvantages
 Not everyone understands technology and thus can not apply for job Online
 The individual is not able to present himself effectively as he is not present in person in
front of the HR Officer (Jackson, Schuler and Jiang, 2014).
d) Interview questions for Receptionist which improve the selection decision making process
As per the case study, work opportunities have been circled inside and undertaking for
assistant position. In an association, assistant is in charge of all individual welcome and
appearances. Secretary ought to be solid and have viable correspondence aptitude that
incorporates delicate abilities, for example, client benefit, multitasking and capacity to make
quick conclusion. There are several questions which have been asked in receptionist interview
that are as under:
Interview Questions:
 What do you know about this organization and our services ?
7

 How will you maintain company's environment?
 What was your previous work responsibility?
 Do you enjoy interacting with people?
 Tell me about your work experience as receptionist?
 What type of schedule are you looking to work?
 What do you want from this job?
 What is your current salary expectation?
PART 2
TASK 3
a) Major advantages of apprentice program
Introduction to Microsoft
Microsoft is among the biggest data innovation organization. It is one of the worldwide
Marketer of PC programming, equipment, portable, gaming framework and cloud
administrations. Likewise, it is an American multi-national organization which headquarters is
arranged in Redmond, Washington, U.S and its workplaces in excess of 60 nations. This
organization was established by Bill Gates and Paul G. Allen, they are childhood companions.
Bill gates did the technological revolution in the wake of dropping his school in 1974 builds up a
product organization. In the year 1986, organization began its first sale of stock which increse
sales and revenue of the company at marketplace. In the year 2016, company organise world
biggest programming that results is better outcomes within predetermined period of time.
Microsoft creates, produces, licenses and offers PC programming, electronic contraptions and
administrations.
It gives Microsoft 365 which is a cloud based membership those assistance individuals in
powerful working. From 2015 organization is putting forth extensive variety of items for buyer
and venture as programmings for work areas and servers. This range incorporate web seeks
(Bing), cloud computing (Azure), blended reality and programming advancement.
Apprenticeship is a very common phenomenon in big MNC’s. This is a sort of a training
and education program that allows an employee to participate and enhance their overall
knowledge as well as skills level. This also helps company in gaining better productivity as well
as profitability over longer period of time in an effective as well as efficient manner.
8

 It provides training to employees for the purpose of incresing job knowledgethus there is
no need for a break, and workforce also gets necessary experience to work efficiently.
 Since such training do help in enhancing overall education related to corporate world,
thus improves the level of confidence of staff members and employees in an efficient
manner (Guest, 2011).
 Employees do not need to pay money. In-fact, they would be paid adequate sum of
revenue by manager of corporation.
 Apprenticeship provides different learning sessions to personnel based on their needs.
Therefore, they can choose the specific kinds of programs out of the 400 which are
available.
 By executing apprentice sessions at work station, Microsoft can raise the overall standard
of their productivity.
 A Graduate Training Scheme is a superior way in order to jump start its career. It can
take various formats which is mainly depending on the managers; but normally let
graduates to experience certain aspects of both the duty and the enterprises as a whole. It
is essential for the individual and organisation including; early earning potential, job
security, access to training, the possibility to work for a prestige, opportunities to work
abroad etc. Sometime it effects on the persons and organisation including; competition
for places, doesn't cater to entire business sector etc.
b) Development opportunities for staff who is in permanent Job Role
There are range of benefits that can be attained by staff people who have attained a
permanent job role within the organisation. The people who are on a permanent job role will be
having job security and thus will be motivated to work for the organisation. Various kinds of
experiences can be gained by working in different nations because of the fact that operations of
an MNC firm is quite huge and it works in more than one nations, Thus a global exposure can be
attained over period of time (Marler and Fisher, 2013). The level of training that is being
provided by company like Microsoft not only enhances the professional career of an individual
but also helps them in giving shape to their personal career as they will get experience of a big
firm and its working culture.
9

c) Benefits of Flexible Working Practices
An organisation shall make sure that its working practices are not rigid and are flexible
enough which will ensure that a higher employee satisfaction as well as productivity level can be
achieved over longer period of time. The various benefits of good working practice can be
described as follows:
 Microsoft is involved in providing various kinds of training sessions to its staff and
workforce in general which ensures a higher productivity of the staff.
 Effective Human resource practices, if followed by Microsoft; will ensure a good
motivation level of employees.
 It also helps in improving the skills as well as abilities of individual employees and
workers within the organisation over period of time.
 Good working within Microsoft will also give opportunities to managers for developing
their careers effectively (Budhwar and Debrah, Y.A. Eds., 2013).
d) How does Microsoft motivates employees through its job design and system of reward
Microsoft is using various kinds of HRM practices for providing better motivation to
their overall workforce:
 Microsoft is providing various incentive schemes for the purpose of inspiring employees
within organisation to perform effectively as well as efficiently.
 They are offering maternity leaves to Women staff members as & when the needs for the
same arises.
 This can be regarded as first organisation which is supplying medical benefits of autism
therapy in an effective as well as efficient manner.
Arrangement of reward is another new procedure followed by Microsoft whereby bosses
and superior of the organisation are assuming driving parts. They are having responsibility to
screen the working performance of subordinates. Based on exhibitions, rewards are being given
by them in different structures, for example, additional pay, reward design, extra occasion and
some more. This is turning additionally help in inspiring and empowering labourers as well as
employees (Cascio, 2018).
10