Human Resource Management Practices and Strategies Report

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Human Resource Management (HRM) principles and practices, focusing on their application within the context of Chocola Fantastica, a chocolate greetings card manufacturer. The report delves into the core functions of HRM, including recruitment, selection, training, and performance appraisal, examining their purpose and impact on employee retention and organizational productivity. It explores the advantages and disadvantages of various recruitment and selection approaches, such as interviews and contingency approaches, and their influence on staffing decisions. Furthermore, the report investigates diverse HRM practices, including graduate training schemes and internships, and their benefits for employees, using Microsoft as an example. The report also addresses the significance of employee relations and relevant employment legislation. The analysis highlights the implications of HRM practices in a work-related context, aiming to provide insights into improving employee satisfaction, reducing staff turnover, and enhancing overall company performance. The report concludes with recommendations for Chocola Fantastica to optimize its HRM strategies.

Human Resource
Management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1 Purpose and the function of HRM ....................................................................................1
P2 Advantages and disadvantages of recruitment and selection approaches ........................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P3 Various Human Resource Management Practices ...........................................................4
P4 Effectiveness of different HRM practices for improving company's profit and productivity
................................................................................................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................6
P5 Need of employee relation ...............................................................................................6
P6 Identify key elements of employment legislation ...........................................................8
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................9
P7 Implication of HRM practices in work related context ....................................................9
CONCLUSION ...............................................................................................................................9
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................11

INTRODUCTION
Human Resource Management is refer to those department of an organisation which is
meant for proper utilisation of available skilled manpower as well as to make use of existing
human resource in an effective and efficient manner. The foremost objective of HRM is to
identify the potentiality of an individual and placed them in a right position which benefit an
establishment to attain increased level of profitability and productivity in an improved way.
Hence, it is regarded as one of the core division of company which is directly link with
maintaining better working culture and implementing best decisions for an accomplishment of
pre determined goal within prescribed time frame ((Baum, 2015). For this report, Chocola
Fantastica has been considered which is situated in South Wales and manufactures chocolate
flavoured greetings card which is eatable in a best quality. In this study, it encompasses aim and
function of HRM, positive and negative effect of recruitment and selection approaches.
Moreover, identify different human resource practices to enhance firm's productivity, proficiency
as well as usage of various employment legislation to maintain workplace working culture as
well as build better relation among employees.
TASK 1
P1 Purpose and the function of HRM
Every organisation seeks for highly skilled and potential personnel who can put their full
contribution as well as bring novel ideas or opinions which benefits company to enlarge its
productivity and proficiency rate in a amended mode. However, human resource management is
regarded as those section which is directly connect with managing, recruiting, selecting,
imparting training and development and many more for an achievement of pre determined goal
in an effective manner. In addition to this, HRM key purpose is to obtain profit maximization
with an optimal utilisation of resources in an improved way. Hence, HRM functions are
classified into managerial and operational that assist firm to strengthen its proficiency ratio in a
better mode. In relation to Chocola Fantastica, it undergoes with an issue of staff turnover
which largely impact over its productivity and brand value among customer.
Purpose
Investing in right people: This intent is signified as core component of organisation as it
help them to improve their overall performance in a better way. However, it states that putting
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suitable personnel in correct place in order to strengthen the proficiency of organisation in an
amended mode. In relation to Chocola Fantastica, for tackle over employee turnover rate, they
makes an attempt to identify the ability or skill of each manpower at the stage of selection and
delegate them in appropriate place which empower employees to put their best contribution for
an attainment of business objective in an innovative way.
Managing workforce: Under this, it states that handling and maintaining better
relationship between superior and subordinate aid an establishment to acquire best positioning
within industry (Brewster, Mayrhofer and Farndale, 2018). Thus, in context of Chocola
Fantastica, its manager render enormous opportunities to manpower which help them to enrich
their skill as well as empower them to build positive relation with each other. With the help of
this, Chocola Fantastica can easily create collaboration and coordination among working culture
that lead them to reduce staff turnover rate from their business premises.
Functions
Thus, there are several HRM functions which help Chocola Fantastica to improve employee
retention rate which is given below:
Recruitment:It is considered as the process or procedure of searching and attracting the
right candidates for filling the vacant job position in order to enhance the profit margin of an
organisation. In case of Chocola Fantastica, it adopt various sources of recruitment like campus
recruitment, conducting job fare, usage of social media platform, advertisement in newspaper or
magazines and etc. With the help of this, company can reach wider range of population which
reflects in the growth and development of Chocola Fantastica and deceases the ratio of staff
turnover.
Training and Development: This phase signifies that strengthening and enhancing the
skill or talent of personnel for attaining high level of profitability within marketplace. Hence, in
relation to Chocola Fantastica they make use of all available sources i.e. off the job and on the
job programmes which assist employees to put their best attempt effectively in order to enrich
manpower morale.
Performance Appraisal: This function is concerned with evaluating the performance of
individuals and providing appropriate reviews for improvement which enlarge firm brand value.
In regard of Chocola Fantastica, they makes an initaiate to analyse the presentation of every
workforce and matches with company's standards which help managers to give better feedback
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in order to strengthen the quality of overall performance of superior and management as well in
competing industry.
Henceforth, the above discussed HRM functions and purposes enable Chocola Fantastica
to accomplish their goal or objective within stipulated period of time and to generate positive
relationship among various divisions in a better way. For example, with training and
development Chocola Fantastica can improve the performance of its employees and with
effective recruitment strategy company can ensure selection of right individual at right time
which ensure effective completion of business activities.
P2 Advantages and disadvantages of recruitment and selection approaches
In an organisation, personnel are regarded as life blood as they put their best effort for an
fulfilment of establishment pre determined objective in an expected period of time. However,
having highly qualified and capable candidate enable firm to take best positioning within an
business in effective way. For attaining the same, recruitment and selection activity plays a
critical role as it linked with selecting right individual for correct place in appropriate time
(Cascio, 2015). Hence, recruitment and selection are interchangeable concepts but both has their
own role and responsibilities which makes them differ from each other. However, recruitment is
a activity or process of capturing the attention of competent or potential employee and evaluates
whether they are suitable to job and according organisation requirements (Xing and Liu, 2016).
On the other hand, selection is the procedure of putting correct personnel in right position as well
as matching enterprise requirements with the skills and qualification of personnel. Each of this
contain different kinds of approaches which has its own strength and weakness that influence
firm decision making potentiality. In regard of Chocola Fantastica, it undergoes with an issue of
staff turnover which impose negative effect over manpower as well as on firm brand value.
Thus, to cope up with this obstacle, Chocola Fantastica make use of different innovative
recruitment activities like inclusive job adverts, programmatic advertising, social media,
employee referral, mobile recruitment and so on that enlarge the Chocola Fantastica productivity
and also help them to control their turnover ratio in a better way. In terms of selection process,
Chocola Fantastica they makes an attempt to utilise various ways which is given below:
Interview: It is defined as face to face communication where an interviewer obtains or acquire
information from interviewee with an aim of filling the vacant job position in an improved way.
However, it is classified into two ways i.e. formal and informal.
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Informal Interview: This process is relate with those aspect which occurs in a casual
meeting such as over coffee or lunch. Although it is does not process in structured way yet the
aim of interviewer is formal i.e. understanding the potentiality of personnel and comparing with
company's requirements in order to fill the vacant job position for obtaining profit maximisation.
Some of its advantages and disadvantages are as follows:
Advantages
 It is viewed as highly flexible and comfortable because interviewer can understand better
which make applicants feel very easy to share their opinion or ideas over particular
subject as it breaks the communication gap inquirer and candidate. Along with this, due
to this it signifies that it is valid and interactive way as it generate positive hope in
applicants about establishments work atmosphere (Cascio, 2015).
Disadvantages It contain intense level of risks as there is a possibility of leakage of confidential matters
which might create negative opinion in employee about organisation that impact over its
proficiency ratio (Sparrow, Brewster and Chung, 2016).
Formal Interview: It is an activity where all the questions are prepared before hand and it
is conducted in any trade or business. Some of its positive and negative impact are given below:
Strength
 It is highly reliable as it expands the line of questioning as well as render better idea of
issue to interviewee which makes the process more easy and accurate. For example: with
the help of informal interviews the company can obtain essential about the prospective
employee which will further help in decision-making.
Negative
 Under this, the foremost weakness is that there is a lack to test communication of
interviewee as there is a possibility of facing complex questions which may decrease
confidence level of candidate in terms of exchanging ideas or opinions in a better way.
Contingency Approach
This approach signified that each superior or manager should be capable to handle any
business complex situation for accomplishing organisation long term objective or goal in an
trenchant and expeditious way. Moreover, it states that contingent manager takes an initiative to
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acquire any kind of pressure in a better way for building better relationship within working
culture.
Positive
 It assist an individual to implement best strategic decisions during business complex
situation which enhance the organisation productivity and proficiency in an amended
way. Moreover, this approach is dynamic in nature as it allows the managers to modify
themselves according to the situation.
Negative
 This approach is mainly reactive in nature because some situations will be difficult for
superior to handle and it directly impact over their decision making capability.
Furthermore, it also a complex approach because when it comes to practical conditions.
Thus, Chocola Fantastica make use of suitable form of selection procedures which help them to
gain the attraction of larger pool of candidates in an innovative and creative manner. However,
an effective recruitment or selection process improves its retention rate and reduces the turnover
ratio that enlarge their profit margin in a better way.
TASK 2
P3 Various Human Resource Management Practices
HRM is an approach which manages the performance of employees, build healthy
relations, motivate them and provide flexible working conditions. Duty of HR manager is to
protect the rights and interest of employees and employers. This section is in the context of
Microsoft which is a multinational computer and software company. Microsoft provides various
helpful services to its employees such as career planning, growth opportunities, conduct training
and development programmes for them in order to boost their morale. Company performs
different HRM practices such as flexible working arrangements, training schemes for graduates
and provides internships to students etc. which are discussed below:
Graduate training schemes and internships: Training is a process which involves giving
knowledge about the organisation, using equipments and machinery and policies of company.
Training helps in guiding and motivating employees which increases the performance and also
boosts their morale (Chelladurai and Kerwin, 2018). Internship is a chance or opportunity which
is offered by Microsoft to graduates and students to enhance their knowledge and skills and to
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gain something new. Usually interns are students or undergraduates who came to an organisation
to develop their skills. Microsoft provides training schemes and internship programmes and carry
it widely whole year for those candidates who want to explore their knowledge because by this
they gain practical knowledge. Benefits to employees: Training enhances the various skills such as communication,
technical etc. It also helps in developing relations among employees and provide
guidance regarding the ethics and code of conduct which is followed in an organisation.
Internship is valuable for undergraduates because by this they can enhance their skills
and gain experience, confidence and also explore their knowledge (Snell, Bohlander and
Morris, 2015). Benefits to employers: Training helps in increasing the productivity of an organisation,
reduces employee turnover and improves the reputation of an organisation. As some
organisations does not provide stipend for internship so it is free of cost and employers
take advantage of free labour and somehow test the talent and find future employees.
Flexible working arrangements for staff: It is the duty of HR manager to provide
flexible working arrangements to their staff in order to retain them and it is necessary for an
organisation to do this because this helps in the engagement of employees and by this employees
feel motivated and worthy for the organisation. Flexible working arrangements includes work
life balance, flexible shifts or working hours etc. For instance: The practices of flex hours have
been introduced by Microsoft under which employee can serve their minimum hours as per the
convenience and are allowed to work from home as well. Microsoft uses this practice to engage
and motivate the employees and by this practice both the employers and employees have benefits
which are discussed as: Benefits to employees: This practice is best for employees because by this they get time
for their family and personal life as they have control over their work. It increases the
feeling of job satisfaction and reduces the stress from their life.
 Benefits to employers: This practice proves best for employers also because it helps in
retaining the best talent in an organisation and by this productivity will increases. It also
helps in reducing the absenteeism because by this employees are able to maintain their
working hours. As stress and work pressure is not good for employees so it also helps in
reducing the stress and helps in developing the loyal workforce (Shen and Benson, 2016).
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P4 Effectiveness of different HRM practices for improving company's profit and productivity
Microsoft provides various training schemes to enhance the skills of employees and
provide them better working conditions in order to retain them. Company uses various
techniques to empower the employees and motivate them. Microsoft value their employees and
know that without them company is not able stand in the competitive market because employees
are the base of the company. For this, company try to encourage and inspire their employees by
giving compensation, incentives, bonus and non-monetary rewards which includes vacations,
appraisal etc. Company also design roles and responsibilities of job according to the skills and
knowledge of the employees (Cogin, Ng and Lee, 2016). For example, If Microsoft companies
makes an attempt to identify the potentiality of each individual and based on that assign roles or
responsibilities that help company to attain increased level of profitability and productivity in a
better way.
Flexible working arrangements is best practice using by Microsoft in order to retain their
employees and makes them feel worthy and important for the organisation. This practice helps in
reducing the absenteeism, employee turnover and stress and maintain the work life of employees.
Microsoft promotes passionate and motivated workers to work effectively and efficiently as
motivated workers improves the productivity and reduces the wastage of resources. Microsoft
tries to maintain healthy work environment by motivating them, providing flexible working
hours, ensures their wellness and safety, providing them work from home, regular physical
check-up, family time, year end party and happy hours for employees.
TASK 3
P5 Need of employee relation
Employee relations and engagement
Developing relationship with subordinates and maintaining it is the duty of HR manager.
It becomes easy by engaging employees in work or any other activities because this helps in
building healthy relations among employees and employers. In the context of Microsoft,
managers encourages their employees to take participate in business and other activities because
of that company can achieve growth in the business environment. Employee engagement leads to
build positivity among employees and support healthy relations among employees. Employees
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motivate by getting time to time rewards and appraisal. Microsoft follows different employee
engagement strategies which are as follows:
 Increases the level of productivity by boosting their morale and decreases the cost of
healthcare.
 Recognises the performance of employees by appraisal and make clear goals to them.
 By involving the employees in decision-making process of an organisation.
 Provides them suggestions and opinions regarding career (Gatewood, Feild and Barrick,
2015).
 Ensuring that work life should be balanced in order to reduce stress and tension.
Employee relation is the base for achieving the growth and success of an organisation and
it also ensures that employees are motivated or not. By employee engagement, managers have
benefit of getting skilled and knowledgable employees. Healthy relations between employees
avoid conflicts and disputes in an organisation. Microsoft maintain good relationship in order
retain talent and achieve growth in the market. Various important HRM decision-making are:
 By healthy relations employees can easily reduces their work load (Noe and et. al., 2017).
 By good relationship among employees can avoid issues and conflicts among employees.
Key approaches to engage workers
Open Communication: Communication is a key or chain by which information gets
transferred from one person to another person. By communication, employees know about their
roles and responsibilities in the job. To share ideas and opinions to employees open
communication is necessary. For example, if Microsoft provides all information in a transparent
manner them it assist them to control over conflict of interest as well as improve the whole
execution of establishment in an improved mode.
Healthy relations among employees: Due to good relationship among employees, they
can perform various activities at a time in an effective way. Relationship can be improved by
engaging them in work and helping nature among employees and management makes employees
feel that they are important and worthy for organisation. For example, If Microsoft render equal
platforms to every personnel as well as maintain a better relationship with every manpower then
it help them to accomplish their goal in a amended manner.
Participation of employees in decision making: To build healthy relationship and
faithful employees, company needs to involve them in decision making or top managerial
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activities. Involving employees in decision-making process makes them feel that they are
important and this can increase motivation and improve productivity of organisation (Noe, and
et. al., 2015). For example, if Microsoft mangers invites their personnel to take participate in
business activities that will empower them to put their best effort for an attainment of
maximisation of profit.
Currently, Microsoft is using open communication to inform employees about their task
and this makes transparency among them. Open communication is very helpful at the time of
introducing changes in an organisation. For this, company hire best leaders and managers
because they can implement these changes in an effective manner without facing resistance of
any employee. Overall, all the above discussed approaches helps to maintain healthy work
environment.
P6 Identify key elements of employment legislation
The most prominent laws which effect this sectors is the labour law and the employment
laws. In any organisation it is very important to form rules and legislations which are provided
by government. The employment legislation has to perform several relations in organisation for
it to work in proper form and principles (Hecklau and et. al., 2016). In the current sectors these
laws have influenced and enhanced working standards of organisation structure. It is very
essential for any place to have legal regulation to maintain correct standards of workings and
provide several impositions so that the work is not illegal and unidentified by government. The
strategies which are related to human resource management are also affected due to this law.
The mandatory production of unlimited amount of product is restricted by labour law to make an
adequate number units one day. This hinders in the company to hire more people and give
more jobs plus no member shall be exceeding fixed working hours regulation unless, paid
extra for compensating time. The human resource department has to keep an keen inspection
of certain zones of company to avoid confusions and this takes a lot of time plus execution
of correct methods. For example, Microsoft HR takes an effort to comply with all
employment legislation then it help them to provide better working condition as well as to
maintain employee relation in an amended way. With the help of this, it enable them to
enrich their overall performance ion a better mode.
Labour law protects all works to get them proper employment as per need of company. In case of
recession company cannot afford certain people and due to minimum wage act they cannot
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hire people more than they can afford this affects daily wages of several labours as there is
no job in market. For example, If Microsoft implies labour law act within their functional
area then it empower its manager to provide better working condition in terms of fair
reward, growth opportunities, inviting personnel to participate in business activities and so
on. With the help of such activities, it enrich every employees performance and motivates
them to put their best contribution towards an obtaining profit maximisation in an improved
way.
The voluntarist system of government has banned several people to employee more number of
people for jobs which have risk in work. The provisions were made to protect people but due
to such provision from law. Human resource section has to go through all selection
procedures to finalise each person. It is very important for them to keep modifying work and
strategies to cope up well with legal provisions.
TASK 4
P7 Implication of HRM practices in work related context
An application of HRM practices in suitable places aid company to provide relevant or
accurate information to candidates in order to attain sustainable profitability in an amended
manner (Jabbour and de Sousa Jabbour, 2016). In relation to Chocola Fantastica, there is a
position which is vacant for the role of Receptionist. However, for attracting and selecting right
candidates in suitable place it develops person specification which is given below:
Receptionist
South Wales
£22,213 - £25,195 a year
Chocola Fantastica
Permanent
Recently
Role: Receptionist
An exciting opportunity in Chocola Fantastica which is one of the growing company in London,
are in search for creative, innovative and collaborative personnel who can imply novel ideas for
the betterment of company and also to maintain positive relationship with clients in an
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