HRM Report: Chocolate Presence, Microsoft, and HR Functions

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices, focusing on two companies: Chocolate Presence and Microsoft. It delves into the core functions of HRM, including workforce planning, recruitment, selection, and employee relations, highlighting their importance for organizational success. The report examines the strengths and weaknesses of current selection methods, offering potential improvements for Chocolate Presence. It also explores the creation of a person specification for a specific role and evaluates the advantages and disadvantages of job advertising methods. Furthermore, the report discusses the significance of employee relations and employment legislation, emphasizing their impact on HRM decision-making, and showcases the application of HRM practices with specific examples. The report aims to provide insights into effective HRM strategies for enhancing profitability and productivity.

Human resource
management

INTRODUCTION
Human resource management is considered as the essential for all the firm for performing
the whole activities in efficacious manner. This practices include hiring, selecting as well as
retaining workers in efficient way. Human resources management is responsible for managing
the organisation's function and staff those who are working in firm (Johnson, Schnatterly and
Hill, 2013). For this report the chosen companies are Chocolate presence and Microsoft.
Chocolate presence is a leading organisation that facilitates tailor-made chocolate-based greeting
cards and presents in UK. Microsoft is well known American multinational technology firm
having headquarters in Redmond, Washington. The purpose of this report is to describe the
functions and purpose of HRM. Approaches to recruitment and selection with their strengths
and weaknesses. Several HRM practices that benefits both employer and employee.
Effectiveness of various HRM practices for raising the profitability and productivity of company.
Significance of employee relation as well as employment legislation and its impact on HRM
decision making. Apart from this, application of HRM practices in work related context with the
help of specific examples are also mentioned in this report.
TASK 1
a) Purpose of the HR function and its importance to the organization, given its current problems
and future plans for further growth.
Workforce planning and resourcing is considered as the ongoing procedures that are
utilise to align the requirements as well as priorities of the company with those of their personnel
to assure this can meet their regulatory, services and organisational goals. It is the strategy that
are utilise by employers fro anticipating workers requirements. Human resource management is
considered as the significant functions that deals in recruiting, compensation, training and
development and many more. This approaches to effectual people management for attaining the
objectives of company (Tao and et. al., 2014). There are many functions which is mainly
performed by HRM to operate enterprises smoothly. Few human resource management functions
of Chocolate Presence in relation to workforce planning and resourcing are explained below:
 Performance management: Performance management is one of most important Human
resource activity in which HR department evaluate performance of employees on
different basis. That factor helps in workforce planning and resourcing by finding our

major capabilities of an individual and put efforts to retain that particular employee. The
role of Human resource manager of Chocolate presence is to find out major skills and
capabilities of an individual by using various methods and tools. Maintaining healthy work condition: Healthy working condition is very important for
an organisation as well as individual to enhance their productivity level in Chocolate
Presence. When environment is healthy enough organisation can be able to best
workforce planning and retention of them. The role of Human resource is to find out
motivation level of employees and positively provide them.
 Employees Relation: This is considered as the crucial function for all firm to assure that
staff coordinate with one another in accomplishing objectives of the business as well as
smooth relation (Lasserre, 2017). As Chocolate Presence is not very large firm so it have
small team of staff. Thus, they facilitated open environment to them so that they can
communicate its feelings as well as solve matters in context of any problems effectively.
This particular function of HRM is important for them as it aids in creating good relation
with one another as well as also minimising disputes. The major role of hr to adopt free
flow of communication chain in which every one can share knowledge and information
to each other that helps in workforce planning and retention in positive way.
Purpose of Human resource management:
HRM purpose is to handle the needs as well as problems of firm and staff of the
organisation. The essential Chocolate Presence human resource management purpose is to
provide as well as interface between its staff for acquiring talents to attain the goals of the firm
efficaciously. Few more purpose of respective company human resource management are
explained below: Compensation and benefits: All staff want compensation and benefits for its
performance in company. It is provided in respect of salary and another financial and
non- financial benefits which is passed by firm for its employees (Buttimer and Seamon,
2015). The purpose of human resource management in Chocolate Presence is to facilitate
appropriate compensation as well as benefits to staff as per its work within company. So,
this purpose is essential for respective firm as it assists them to keep their personnel
motivated. The main purpose behind it provide best packages and services to employees
that help in workforce planning and resourcing.

 Staffing: The essential purpose of Chocolate Presence HRM is hire as well as retain the
talent staff in firm. As per the give scenario, respective firm turnover is enhancing so it is
important for them to hire and select appropriate workers that is significance for
organisation. Retaining appropriate staff is major accountability of HR department. As by
this respective company can retain talented applicants according to their requirements to
maximise productivity.
b) The strengths and weaknesses of the current selection methods used by the organization
This is refers as the process of selecting the right candidates with requirement
qualification and capabilities to fill the job position in company. In this, candidates are selected
by efficacious interview method (Bogner, 2018). Also, Interviewer organised several kinds of
mock test, group discussion and many more whole these are prefer Chocolate Presence human
resource manager so that proficient candidates are get selected in firm in simple manner. There
are various selection methods that can be used by respective firm are Group exercise,
presentations, Psychometric testing, aptitude and ability test and many more. Some are explained
below:
 Ability and aptitude test: Ability tests are utilise widely into company. In this selection
method, various areas are included such as verbal ability, clerical ability, general
intelligence and others. With the aids of that respective company can judge the ability
and aptitude of candidates.
 Interviews: This methods is develop by finding the key requirements of work as well as
a set of questionnaires is formed. Interviewers panel perform by every list of questions
with all interviewee and provide them marks as per its answers. This methods aids
respective firm to observe their confidence, knowledge etc.
From the above, currently the respective company are using interview method through
this they can see the potential and ability of the particular candidates. Its strengths and
weaknesses are as follows:
Strengths Weaknesses
 Human resource manager of Chocolate
Presence has ability to solve the
interviewee queries.
 Several time, it can be considered as in
complete method at the time of
recruiting process. As interview are

 This aids in improving efficacious
relationship with interviewee or
interviewer as well as develop mutual
understanding between themselves.
very much effective for the applicants.
 Herein, there are various risk as
information of candidates can
automatically discloses by an
interviewer.
Apart from this the more strength and weaknesses of current selection method are:
Strengths:
As per the recent selection methods, Chocolate presence have obtain many strength in
context of cost as well as time saving. As this is home based test, more candidates can apply as
well as attend test. Moreover, the 50% criteria is set so the judgement is done fairly as well as
consistency.
Weaknesses
There are few weaknesses that are faced through Chocolate presence. As this is home
based test some criteria are set by them is 50% but are not ensure that the real person has only
attended the test. This leads to choosing unskilled people. This selection is performed by
informal chats that develops weaknesses for firm. Also, the test is home based so the issues
occurred such as validity and reliability.
c) Potential improvements that could be made by Chocolate Presence to enhance its selection
process
The two improvements considered through respective firm are mentioned below:
 Forming training and development events for existent and new staff.
 Choosing proficient candidates for vacant position.
As per the given scenario, Chocolate Presence is expanding its business for that they
required more number of employees. For instances, they use the assessment test as well as
interview selection methods. In order to enhance their selection methods they can do potential
improvement such as :
 Group exercise: Herein, candidates are given a topic as well as are invited to discuss
regrading that topic in a group. During this conversation or role play, interviewer are
seeking for particular behaviours awards marks to every applicants. For this they require
4 or more than that to conduct this method in appropriate way. With the help of this

methods respective firm can judge 4 or more interviewee at less time. By using it they
can enhance their selection process.
 Phone screener: Phone interviews are the simple way for screening the job seekers.
Through this they can save time as well as money too. Moreover, this enable them to vaet
candidates and ensure that they are capable to meet the potential criteria before calling
them for further process.
 Structured Interview: This is considered as an assessment method which is develop to
evaluate competencies of candidates regarding job through inquiring systematically
behaviour in past experiences as well as attitude in upcoming day. This aids respective
company to choose talented candidates.
 Psychometric Test: There are various test performed under psychometric like aptitudes,
skills, personality etc. it assists in getting knowledge about candidates.
The benefits and limitations of selection procedures potential improvement are as
follows:
Benefits:
Training as well as development aids in developing skills of Chocolate presence staff in
effectual manner. It helps in maximising experiences and gaining effective knowledge. So that
talented candidate can be selected appropriately.
Limitations:
The time and cost maximises at respective company while organising training and
development events for its staff. This consumes more time to choose proficient candidate form
various application.
TASK 2
a) Create a person specification for the role
Person specification is considered as the description of the skills, experiences, knowledge
and many more that candidate must possess to perform the job duties (Govindan and et. al.,
2014). In Chocolate Presence, this is the essential as number of turnover is enhancing. It permit
them to communicate traits so that talented candidates can be identified. Like last work
experiences education and many more.
PERSON SPECIFICATION

Name:
E-Mail:
Contact:
Objective: To work in a reputed organisation by showcase my skills and capabilities where I
can enhance my knowledge in administration department for achieving organisational goals and
objectives.
Qualification:
Class University/ Board Grade Passing Year
12th Class London school of UK 65.00% 2013
Diploma MNO University 60.00% 2016
Administrative
studies
QRS University B+ 2018
Experience:
2 years of working experience as receptionist.
Roles and Responsibilities:
 To meet and greet customers.
 Responding as well as forwarding calls.
 Accomplishing the paper work of administration.
 Facilitating consumer service support.
 Allocation of guest badges as well as attendance log.
Personal Skills:
 Communication skills
 Multitasking skills
 Interpersonal skills
Declaration:
I have declared that all mentioned information is true as per my knowledge and skills.

b) Advantages and disadvantages of the current methods of advertising jobs
Job advertisement is considered as the announcement for open job position. In Chocolate
Presence, the current methods of job advertisements is notice board. Advertising on community
notice boards needs a creative aspects that move against the grain. Generally they put most of the
job advertisement on their notice board which are placed outside the main entrance. So, some of
its advantage and disadvantage are as follows:
Advantage:
 This particular approach saves the time as well as cost of Chocolate Presence.
 In this employers has understanding about its employees abilities as well as the skills.
Thus, it become easier to attain the vacant position with proficient individuals.
Disadvantages:
 The main disadvantage of this particular methods of job advert is, respective company
can not able to hire the external talents.
 This particular methods fails to bring talented candidates at job therefore, its productivity
so not get enhanced by recruiting the employees from inside.
c) Job advert for the Receptionist vacancy to be placed
Job Advert
Firm Name: Chocolate Presence
Job Role: Receptionist
Job Type: Full time
Salary: Negotiable
Location: UK
Roles and Responsibilities:
 Completing paper work of management
 Maintaining customers stationery stock
 Distributing and sorting post
 Meeting with clients.
Qualification Required:
Graduates in any field of bachelors
MBA in any field.

Experience Required:
At least 2 years.
This is recommended that the job advert for the receptionist vacancy to be placed in the
news papers and magazines with creative style and designs so that more number of applicants
those who are seeking for this particular job may apply.
Task 3
a) Microsoft offer graduate training schemes and internships. Evaluate the benefits to both the
organisation and employees of such schemes.
Human resource management practices refers to the guidance that helps in performing the
functions of business plan (Keupp, Palmié and Gassmann, 2012). In other words, it is explained
as policies and practices that influences employees behaviour and attitude. There are several
benefits of HRM practices in a firm to both employer and employee which are explained as
below:
Training and development: In respect of Microsoft, the employer of a company must
provide proper training and development to their subordinates. This is because if the employer
provide effective training to their employees then they will perform their task effectively which
will help increasing the productivity of the organisation. Along with this, employees of
Microsoft will enhance their skills and knowledge so that they able to contribute more towards
the achievement of organisational goals and objectives. Therefore, different graduate training
schemes that can be used by Microsoft are:
 ORIENTATION: In this new staff are introduced to work environment. It involves
regulations, rules, services and many more. The help Microsoft to enhance the business
and workers get engaged. Also, develop effective relation with staff. Through this,
workers feel themselves valued, all the rules and regulations are to be understand
effectually through employee.
 Technical skill development: In this, capabilities as well as knowledge are needed for
solve the computer regarding problems. This will beneficial for Microsoft as it helps
them to implement the business plan in faster way. Moreover, it aids employees to adopt
changes related technology so that errors get minimised.

Internship
Internship is considered as the work experienced that are provided through company for
few time. It can be consider through graduates for obtaining effective skills as well as
experiences regarding particular jobs. Various internship schemes are which are organised
through Microsoft:
Paid internship: In this stipend are provided to the candidates. Moreover, amount that is
given to intern during this schemes is fixed and are regular basis. This is beneficial for Microsoft
as through this future capable staff can be identified and productivity get maximised. It assists
their employees to gain effective experiences, expand their career, obtain financial
compensation.
b) Microsoft offers a range of flexible working arrangements for staff. Some of these
arrangements and then evaluate the benefits of offering these to both Microsoft and its
employees.
Microsoft offers range of flexible working arrangements for staff. Few of them are
mentioned below:
 Positive environment: In context of Microsoft, it is the responsibility of employer to
maintain positive environment in a firm so that employee remain motivated, happy and
satisfied as well as perform their task effectively. To maintain positive and healthy
environment, employees must create good relation with their superiors so that if they face
any problem with other employees they can share with them. Through this in Microsoft
conflicts get reduced and company will be able to retain its talented and skilled
employees.
 Working hour flexibility: Employers of Microsoft must provide flexible hours of
working to their employees because this will keep them fresh, motivated and energetic.
For Microsoft, the benefits of this is to get effective results as well as increased
productivity (Galli and et. al., 2012). If the employees are not are not provided with
proper intervals then it will affect the outcomes of organisation. Along with this, they will
not able to retain its skilled and capable employees.
c) Evaluate how Microsoft motivates its workers through the way it designs its job roles
Microsoft can motivates their employees by following ways:

 Compensation:Compensation plays the major role in employees working. Employers of
Microsoft must provide appraisals to their employees in the form of bonus, incentives,
family vacations and many more. These incentives motivates employees and they work
more harder to achieve objectives and targets of a firm. On the other hand, employers is
able to retain its talented employees in a company.
 Upgrading employees skills and abilities: By providing regular training to workers.
Microsoft human resource manager can improve weaknesses, reduce the knowledge gaps
among staff and maximise their capabilities to do the work as per the needs of their
business. This will aids respective firm to retain proficient staff for enhancing
productivity of the business as well as providing appropriate services to its customer for
their long term retention.
For explaining more about it motivational theory have been utilise that is discussed
below:
Maslow's Hierarchy Need theory:
It is the theory that was introduced through Maslow that includes five needs which are as
follows: Physiological needs: For encouraging staff, Micro soft firm facilitates basic needs so that
individuals can survive. Like shelter, clothing and many more. Safety needs: The workers who are performing within Microsoft required protection in
context of freedom from fear, safety and others. Love and Belongingness needs: For performing effectively, employees needs trusts, love,
friendship etc. this encourage them to accomplish its responsibilities efficaciously. Esteem needs: In order to encourage employees, the respective company have to be
rewarded in respect of achievements, status, recognition and others.
 Self Actualization needs: This is considered as the last requirements in which one realize
individuals potential, looking individuals growth, self accomplishment, peak experience.
Its aids in encouraging self for attaining their own personal objectives.

TASK 4
a) Employee engagement and why is employee engagement such an important part in effective
employee relations in Microsoft.
Employee engagement is considered as the property of relation among firm as well as
their staff (Definition of Employee Engagement. 2019). Employee relations is considered as the
firms potential for managing relationship among staff as well as employers. This provides
facilitation, consultation and solution strategies for work area problems. It aids into
communication among supervisors and workers, corrective action and planning and so on
(Employee Relations. 2019). In order to manage positivity at work area, Microsoft human
resource manager emphasis more upon improving the effectual relation between employers as
well as workers. For this aim, they provide open environment to employees for delivering its
messages and ideas to senior authorities if they want to do any modification in working process
(Ng and Feldman, 2012). Moreover, they are permitted to give its participation into decision
making process so that effective policies can be executed at work area which not only enhance
their productivity but also maximise business profitability. Also, to create efficacious
collaboration between employees, human resources manager of Microsoft facilitate group
activities to staff, in which they can interact with one another to attain the same. Employee
engagement is the essential part of effective staff relation in Microsoft because it maximises the
profit, minimise disputes etc. some of this are mentioned below:
 Profit maximisation: Gaining more profitability is an ultimate gaols of Microsoft
company. By including staff in human resource decision making, firm can obtain ideas
from their workers that how they can perform as well as develop plans. It will lead
towards creating positive environment where staff will perform with efficiency.
Encouraged workers perform with its full potential in order to develop respective firm
productivity. High rate of productivity will be directly enhance their profitability. In
relation between both the parties aids in profitability] enhancement as it will occurs
because of optimal utilisation of existent resources.
 Reduce conflicts: Maintaining as well as developing positive working environment will
leads towards minimisation of disputes among staff members (Wood and et. al., 2012)
HRM of Microsoft is accountable for decreasing and resolving workers conflicts or
issues. By taking part into HRM decision-making it is simple for manager to resolve as

well as minimise conflicts among workers. It will improve staff relation with one another
and minimise misunderstanding. Workers can also suggest few ideas to decrease
grievances from company and maintain healthy work environment. When working
environment is efficacious as well as friendly than enhancement of disputes at work area
get minimised. Through this, workers can totally focused upon its work and become more
productive to firm. Effective understanding among both aids in appropriate information
or ideas delivering. It will further assists in development of trust.
 Sharing information: It is the significant practices of human resources for organisation
as this assists in acquiring appropriate information and knowledge in respect of firm'
work which they have to perform (Ross, 2017). In this, employees can share information
through communicating with each other for planning their business objectives in effectual
way. In respect of Microsoft, they consider the human resource practices as it will aids its
staff to communicate effective information as well as reduce the workload from their firm
team efficaciously. It will maximises their productivity and profit effectively.
 Attainment of prior objectives: By providing proper vision to employees, Microsoft
human resource manager get benefits attain the set- goals in less time duration. Also, by
appreciating workers for more contribution will enhances its morale to do the work with
full potential for accomplishing the growth of respective company business.
b) Key approaches to engaging workers discussed in the Summit and how these approaches
improve communication in the workplace.
In context to Microsoft, several strategies are developed which aids into engagement.
Some of these strategies are discussed are as follows:
 Utilising effective engagement survey: This is recommended that both owners as well
as manages of respective firm have always take effectual action in context of thoughts
which are consider from staff as they only have faith on management when it view that
its ideas and thoughts are noticed. For instance, as staff motivation level enhances they
will feel to share ideas with leaders in respect of difficult circumstances which may
happen in future.
 Concentrating on involvement at individuals and organisational level: A
modification id considered as changes only when this incurs at individuals level as well
as this only happens when Microsoft managers develop effective tone from its end.

Moreover, they have to coordinate for promoting the opportunities which can further aids
into optimistic changes.
All the above approaches aids managers as well as staff in developing positive working
environment within respective firm. Through creating effectual insight managers and workers
will capable to interact with one another in more efficient way without any types of difficulties.
These approaches also facilitates a clear framework regarding staff. All that will leads towards
improved relation and communication within Microsoft.
c) Key elements of UK employment legislation and influencing HR decision making
There are several legislation formed by US government so that employees can get equal
job opportunities as well as rights. The main objective of these laws is that employees should not
be discriminate on the basis of their colour, caste, religion and many more (Collins, 2013).
Therefore, it is important must follow these laws while recruiting candidates and focus on their
skills and capabilities instead of their age, caste and so on. In context of Microsoft, these laws
have direct impact on policies of human resources where managers of respective company assure
their subordinates about their rights so that employee will be satisfied from their job. There are
different laws regarding employment which are explained as follows:
 Equal Pay Right, 1970: According to this law, manager of Microsoft must provide equal
compensation to their employees without any discrimination whether they are men or
women. Hence, managers must frame policies and decision regarding equal treatment of
workers and provide them incentives that will be source of motivation for them. Along
with this it will create positive environment in respective organisation.
 Minimum Wages Act, 1998: This act states that every employee of Microsoft must be
paid equal and fair compensation as per the government policies. There should be no
biasness in an organisation that demotivate employees and build grudges in their mind for
their superiors. Along with this, managers must provide subordinates extra pay on their
overtime work so that what efforts they giving to their work may have effective result.
 Health and safety Act, 1974: According to this act framed by the government states
about the health and safety of employees in an organisation. This law is about controlling
as well as prevention of uncertainties in life of employees (Al Ariss and Crowley-
Henrym, 2013). In Microsoft, the company provides insurance to their employees
regarding their health and safety. This will create a kind of security in the mind of

employees of Microsoft as well as they will be able work without any stress regarding
their security.
CONCLUSION
As per the above report, it has been concluded that human resource management is
considered as the essential for all the firm for performing the whole activities in efficacious
manner. Performance management, maintaining work condition, staffing and many more are few
HRM purpose and functions that aids firm to perform in effective manner. Moreover, internal
and external are two approaches that help company to recruit and select talented staff. Benefits of
HR practices are conflict resolution, staff relation, training and development etc. Also, Updating
employee’s skills and ability, attainment of prior goals, sharing information and many more are
few effectiveness of HR practices that assists company to raise productivity as well as
profitability. There are few significance of employee relation such as profit enhancement conflict
reduction and so on that influence HRM decision making.

Definition of Employee Engagement. 2019. <https://inside.6q.io/the-definition-of-employee-
engagement/>
Employee Relations. 2019. [Online]. Available Through:
<https://hr.usu.edu/employment/current-employees/employee_relations>