Human Resource Management Report: Chocolate Presence

This report provides a comprehensive analysis of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices within the context of Chocolate Presence, a company based in North Yorkshire. The report begins with an introduction to HRM, its purpose, importance, and functions within an organization, followed by an examination of the current problems and future growth plans for the industry. The report then delves into the strengths and weaknesses of the current employee selection methods used by Chocolate Presence, proposing potential improvements to enhance the selection process. Further, it includes a person specification for a receptionist role, along with the advantages and disadvantages of current job advertising methods. The report evaluates employee and organizational benefits of offered schemes, assesses how Microsoft motivates its workers through job design, and defines employee engagement while evaluating approaches to enhance it. Finally, it identifies key elements of UK employment legislation and their influence on HR decision-making. The report concludes with a summary of the findings and references.

Human Resource
management
Table of Contents

INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
2) Strengths and Weaknesses of the current selection method, which is used by the
organization............................................................................................................................3
3) Two potential improvements that is made by Chocolate Presence to increase its selection
process....................................................................................................................................4
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
4) Person specification for the role.........................................................................................4
5) Advantages and Disadvantages of the current methods of advertising jobs in the
organization............................................................................................................................6
6) Recommendation of job advert for the Receptionist vacancy and their importance.........7
Task 3 ....................................................................................................................................8
7) Evaluation of benefits to both the employees and organisation of schemes offered by
Microsoft................................................................................................................................8
8) Evaluate the benefits of offering to both Microsoft and its employees.............................9
9) Evaluate how Microsoft motivates its workers through the way it designs its job roles. 10
TASK 4..........................................................................................................................................11
10) What is meant by the term employee engagement and why is employee engagement such
an..........................................................................................................................................11
important part in effective employee relations in Microsoft?..............................................11
11) Critically evaluate the key approaches to engaging workers in the Summit and how these
approaches improve communication in the workplace........................................................12
12) Identify the key elements of UK employment legislation, explaining how they influence
HR decision making such as recruitment, training and development and reward...............13
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................14
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................15

INTRODUCTION
Human Resource Management refers to the strategic approach for the effective
management of people within the organization, so that they helps the business to achieving a
goals and objectives within the competitive business environment. Therefore, it is designed to
increase work performance of employee of an strategic objectives. This term is very much
necessary which is used the management resources in a proper way in an organisation. The main
function of HRM is to maximise work performance of employees with utilising of different
resources in an organisation. For this case study, 'Chocolate industry' increasing their business
day by day, which is based upon North Yorkshire. This industry provides tailor-made chocolates
that is based on greeting cards around the UK. This case study is going to be discussed functions
and importance of HRM in an organisation with the future plans for future growth. It will also
discussed about strength or weakness for the current selection method of employees in the
industry. Lastly, this case study emphasises the particular role of the employees with advantages
or disadvantages of advertising jobs in an organisation, these parts of HRM will get covered in
this study.
TASK 1
1) Explain the purpose, importance and functions of HRM in an organization, with its current
problems and future plans for growth of the industry.
HRM is the activity which includes in growth and development of employees in an
organization. It is also involves in some practices like recruiting, hiring, and overall work
performance of the employees in the company (Costea, Amiridis and Crump, 2012). In present
time, HRM is very essential part for every organization which helps in the process of selection
and recruiting method to get suitable person for the job. In the context of, Chocolate presence it
is important to providing HRM policies and strategies to make employees better performance in
a effective manner. There are so many functions, purpose and importance of HRM, these are
given below:
Purpose of HRM: The main purpose of HRM is to trained and development of the
employees, so that they can increase their work performance in a efficient manner. It also
maximises the productivity of an organisation by observing the effective work performance of
employee's.
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Functions of HRM:
Planning: It is very important of HR department to analyse the needs and wants of each
and every employees that are required for work in the company to achieve targeted goals and
objectives. Planning includes in a research which help collecting, analysing and future
requirement of Chocolate presence business.
Recruitment: It is also the very important function of HRM to recruit and select the best
person who is good for working in the company. According to this function HRM focuses on
their activities for hiring good people that can work properly in a effective manner (Durão and et.
al., 2012).
Importance of HRM: HR helps in adopt talent in the famous company through the
proper selection and recruitment of the people. Who have good capacity to perform work to meet
competitive goals and advantages of an organization. HR selects appropriate person and provide
them training facilities which helps them to perform well in an organisation.
Current problems of Chocolates Presence: There are few problems which are faced by
the company, these are given below:
Low engagement of employees: This is the huge issues of employees where company
faces many problems because of development of poor relationship, inability to affect change and
inadequate education, so that employees are not engaged in companies activities, therefore, HR
manager has to develop friendship environment in workplace. It can increase confidence of
employees and motivate them.
High employee turnover ratio: This problem is arises in every company because of
several issues like they are not able to engage in each activity of the firm and they are inspired by
higher pay and they are bored also. Therefore, company manager should apply some strategies in
favour of them, so that it can be beneficial for the firm and maximise employees working
performance.
Future plans of the industry: For the future development of company, they have to make
attractive or innovative strategies, which increase the work efficiency of employees in a proper
way. This future planning will also helps in achieve specific goals and objectives for the
development of future growth.
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2) Strengths and Weaknesses of the current selection method, which is used by the organization.
Selection is the process of identifying candidates with good qualification to achieve goals
and organisation in a effective manner. It concerned with those people who are out of the pool of
job applicants. Selection method also focuses to eliminate many unqualified candidates in order
to analyse the right employee. There are few methods of selection process these are given as
under:
Selection Method Strength Weakness
Preliminary Interview: The
purpose of this method to
eliminate unqualified
candidates based on the
information supplied in
application form.
It is the strong public relation
method on the behalf of
remove uneducated candidate
from their company.
As it is not easy for the
interviewer to select
appropriate candidate for the
company.
Selection Test: There are
different types of task
conducted that depends upon
the firm. These test involves in
aptitude test, personality test
and ability test to analyse the
performance of candidates.
It reduces operational cost
through identifying the right
employee for the job in a
effective manner.
Some times, it can be costly
for the actual rate and there
result can be in a form of
subjective manner due to
manual grading.
Employment Interview: In this
method interview is a formal
conversation between
candidates acceptability.
According to this method
interview can be in one-to-one,
panel or sequential interviews.
It is also cost and time saving
process of an organisation. As
per this, there is no
requirement spend money for
developing new criteria of
interview.
As per this method, employee
may demotivate from others
interview. It can create some
conflicts which is not good for
an organisation.
These various method are used by HR manager of chocolate presence for the selection process of
employees. This practice involve in personality test, selection test or interview. Chocolate
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presence is a largest organisation that should identify its needs and want for those candidates
who are selects in the process of interview (Daley, 2012).
3) Two potential improvements that is made by Chocolate Presence to increase its selection
process.
There are most effective or essential improvements which is given by the Chocolate Presence in
the process of increasing their growth for future. There are 2 different types of potential
improvements these are given below:
Change in selection external method: According to this improvement selection external
method there are some changes which is good for the organization, these are as following:
Interview: It gives an opportunity to further evaluation of the candidate's job related
knowledge, skills and abilities. This also provides ability to collect additional information about
tough points or topics.
Evaluation of candidates: In this, Manager evaluate the overall work performance of
every candidates such as knowledge, key skills, presentation in interview and so on. It also
focuses in developing the final selection decision.
Conducting references Checks: In this changing of selection method hiring departments
can decrease the risk of hiring candidate who will not be able to do new job according to the new
business venture in chocolate presence company (Chang, Chiang, and Han, 2012).
Training and Development: This is the best way to trained their employees in a effective
manner and develop their efficiency of work. This programme is provide different types of
guidelines in a different way, so that attract the employees work ability and their working
functions related with an organization.
Therefore, these processes helps in chocolate presence company to achieve their
accomplished goals in a essential or effective manner, with the development for future growth in
the competitive dynamic business environment.
TASK 2
4) Person specification for the role.
HR manager of chocolate presence have used some documents in order to find out best
suitable candidate for the particular job role, According to particular role for specific job is very
important, in the context of Chocolate presence job vacancies have been classified in different
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categories such as internally or externally. Here, there are particular person specification role for
the job given below:
Job Description
Job Details
Post : Receptionist
Company : Chocolate Presence
Job Purpose
The energetic candidates are applied for the job position of Receptionist which are responsible
for the dealing with enquiries in person or it can be done by phone. Along with this purpose of
maintaining the receptionist area and focuses on greeting visitors.
Roles and Responsibilities
Being a receptionist have to make scheduling appointments.
Handle the payment systems and operating payment terms in business.
Deal with retailing treatment vouchers.
Promote different types of services and different offers.
Taking good messages for people.
Person Specification
Post Receptionist
Department HR Department
Key It means what is required for an evidence:
Application form, Interview, Role
Attributes Essential Desirable
Qualification and Experience Graduate or Diploma in
Management programmes
from any stream. Minimum 2
years of working experience as
Experience of working in
department of management
field.
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receptionist in other
organisation.
Skills or Knowledge Effective communication skills
in both term written and
verbal.
Ability to learn changing
procedures of an organisation
and also treat people in a
effective manner.
5) Advantages and Disadvantages of the current methods of advertising jobs in the organization.
There are various advantages or disadvantages of the current method of advertising jobs
these are elaborate below:
Advantages of Internally organisation-
Reduce time to hire: When chocolate presence company hires a candidate then they
have to evaluate all their skills or knowledge, so that their track record is easily accessible. They
also may not forever needs full interviews with managers. Therefore, this method of internally
organization reducing time to hire candidates in Chocolates presence (Costea, Amiridis and
Crump, 2012).
Cost Less: This method of internally organization is helps in targeting various customers,
so that company can achieve their targeted goals in a peaceful manner. When organisation hire a
new candidate then they have to subscribe resume database according to them and they can
concern with the team members or can be evaluate the knowledge of a person.
Social Sites: In the context of, chocolates presence social sites plays a vital role in the
term of internally organization. Through the social websites candidates can search their desirable
jobs for making best future. Chocolates presence also using social websites for advertising their
different jobs by Facebook, Yahoo, Gmail and so on. This will helps to make candidates to give
desirable opportunity according to them.
Disadvantages-
Have a transparent process: This is the disadvantages of the company that ensure
internal candidates understanding the hiring process and they were not selected. Therefore, its
affect candidates in a negative way, so that company should provide good information regarding
interview in internally organization.
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Advantages of Noticeboard outside the organisation- Advantages of noticeboard are
very flexible because they are suited on both terms such as company or home that are very useful
for outside the organization. A noticeboard is a system where, organization can put their all
necessary information on that board, so that employee or candidates can easily read
organisation's terms and conditions. It also affect the each and every individual in the form of
positive attitude, so that this is good advantage for the company to make good image in front the
employees. This method is applicable on the outside the organisation such as schools, hospitals,
hotels and industries.
Disadvantages- The biggest disadvantage with notice board is that sometime it don't
noticed by people and can lead to delay in communicating important messages. Thus, it is not
effective mode of communication to convey urgent or valuable information. Furthermore, if
information is not displayed properly can lead to chaos among internal party like employees and
management.
6) Recommendation of job advert for the Receptionist vacancy and their importance.
As per this report, it has been recommended that receptionist plays a vital role in every
organisation. Therefore, companies should adopt various advertising techniques for influence the
job seekers. Some various techniques given below:
Online Websites: As per this, websites are more friendly when it entered in the form of
advertising or marketing. There are lot of ways to advertise, so that organisation should opt this
technique for job profile of receptionist by internet. company have lot of websites for job seekers
such as, Monster, Indeed, LinkedIn and so on. According to this, job seeker can easily found the
best suitable job for them (Shuck and Wollard, 2010).
Newspapers: This is very important thing of job advertising, because its provide lot of
information or knowledge. Newspapers provide knowledge about companies job profiles also
provide their number, so that job seeker can easily contact with them.
Radio: As per this, job seekers can easily focus on their vacancy for job in any
organization, through the radio. Organization should use this system also provide different type
of advertisement for job vacancies like gives knowledge about bonus plan, dental insurance,
disability insurance and education assistance about the Chocolate presence. It can affect the job
seekers in a positive manner.
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Television: This is also very helpful approach for advertising company's job profile for
receptionist. It can directly influence job seekers in a positive way by using different channels in
TV with lot of information about an organisation.
Importance:
These all are important techniques for the company because if chocolate presence, follow
these strategies then they can found their best receptionist according to their vacancy. It will also
helps in making good relation with employees who are working in Chocolate presence because
of attraction of job seekers in front of the company.
Task 3
Microsoft is a multinational company which is headquartered in Redmond, Washington. This is
involved in the developing, manufacturing, supporting and selling consumer electronics,
software, personal computers, etc. It is ranked among top fortune 500 companies around the
world. Microsoft is providing best services and products to people across the globe since many
years. It takes care of its consumers as well as its employees. It provide a positive culture at
workplace. This type of culture develops the personal growth opportunities of the workers and
staff. Individuals working in Microsoft are given rewards and appreciation in order to encourage
them to work hard and achieve personal and organisational goals. There are different programs
that are followed by Microsoft in their organisation to engage employees. Microsoft offers
training schemes and internships. It also provides a flexible working hours arrangement for its
staff. The company initiates various programs in motivating and supporting employees in
accomplishing goals and objectives (Schuler, and Tarique, 2011).
7) Evaluation of benefits to both the employees and organisation of schemes offered by
Microsoft
Microsoft is offering various training schemes and internship to their employees. It helps
in their growth and development. This also helps in increasing the efficiency, skills, abilities,
knowledge of their working. Microsoft believes that when individuals with same passion for
technology comes together and work they can create an innovative change to the world. The
mission of this company is to enhance skills and knowledge of each and every individual of the
company for betterment of the organisation. If people of same passion, motivation and vision can
bring a huge impact to the world. Microsoft offers full time internship programs for new
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graduates for making them experience industry professionalism. The interns of Microsoft work
on projects which involve services and solutions of whole company. There are following two
types of internship programs listed below-
University internship: Individuals work on a real time project using the cutting edge
technology and along with this they come across new people to talk to who can give best career
advices.
PhD internships: In this programs PhD people have the opportunity to use various
resources of Microsoft and knowing about important new tech innovations (Daley, 2012).
Such internship programs helps the individuals in having a great start in professional
career. The new students get to know about business life before starting their professional career.
The performance and productivity of both employer and employee is enhanced by these
internships. When employees are provided trainings they feel more motivated and enthusiastic in
working in the company. Training sessions and programs helps in increasing efficiency of the
individual and organisation. These help in building confidence of employees to put efforts in a
right direction and achieve goals. New students who take these internships can execute their
academic knowledge in solving real projects of Microsoft.
8) Evaluate the benefits of offering to both Microsoft and its employees.
Microsoft is a company which offers different policies and plans at workplace which
improves knowledge and skills of their employees. Microsoft is able to improve its operations
and activities involved in achieving organisational goals and targets by implementing these
programs. There are following programs offered by Microsoft to its employees which are listed
below-
 Continuous knowledge gain
 Healthy and safety working environment
 Employees engagement in business activities
 Flexible working hours
 Balanced working and personal life
 Discounts and rewards
These different arrangement are helpful for both employees and organisation. The
benefits to employees and organisation by these working arrangements are discussed in the
following paragraph-
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Benefits for Microsoft
 Microsoft employees are motivated and excited when they are given positive work
culture. A safe and secure workplace will help in making employees in working hard for
attaining the organisational objectives and goals. An organisation is benefited by such
excited employees.
 When any company provides discounts and offers on its products and services, customers
are more attracted towards purchasing it. Due to this, the sales and profits incurred by
company increases. Such offers and discounts helps the company to sustain in market for
longer period (Chelladurai and Kerwin, 2017).
 Corporate social responsibility is an effective approach which helps the organisation in
building a good reputation and image in front of stakeholders, customers and people.
Microsoft is involved in various social services and helping people across the globe.
Benefits for employees
 Microsoft is responsible for organising health and safety programs for its employees and
this makes them feel motivated and dedicated in performing good. Health and safety
programs offered by Microsoft at workplace are medical, 24 hour nurse, economic and
social support to families of employees etc. Health is an important factor in any
individual's life and people who are serving the company they should ensure that
employees are healthy.
 Different organisations provide benefits and perks to their employees for better outcomes.
Some of the benefits given to employees at Microsoft are retail shops in campus, social
clubs, etc. to their employees which promotes the interaction among the employees.
 Employees working at Microsoft are given special discounts and offers on products. It
creates a good value of employer in front of employees. Microsoft gives discount on
various software to its workers.
 Microsoft provides different plans and programs for ensuring future of employees and
some of these programs are workers stock purchase plan, financial education program,
loan refinancing programs, etc.
9) Evaluate how Microsoft motivates its workers through the way it designs its job roles.
Microsoft focuses on making its employees interact with other people and explore new
ideas of technology. For this employers require to motivate their employees and work hard to
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attain organisational goals. For increasing the efficiency of individuals at workplace people are
motivated by using different methods. These methods are listed below-
Training and development: Microsoft offers different training programs and sessions for
their present employees as well as new graduates to help them in enhancing their skills and
thinking (Fulton, and et. al., 2011). These training and programs help people to have growth and
development opportunities for increasing knowledge and abilities of their workers and staff.
People working in Microsoft offerers various opportunities for its employees such as
individualized and integrated learning through Microsoft and LinkedIn, On-job learning etc.
Total rewards: Microsoft gives rewards and appreciation to employees when they do
some good work or provide solution to any complex problem. Individuals are examined on their
skills and abilities and accordingly the company offers incentives and rewards to the workers.
These programs bring confidence in employees and giving their best in performing at work.
Microsoft gives cash benefits, prizes and certificates for employees when they perform
extraordinarily. These programs helps in improvement of value of employees as well as
company.
Wellness and safety: Microsoft takes care of its employees safety and security at
workplace. It enhances the productivity and efficiency of the firm. Employees are engaged in
various activities and programs which help them in enhancing their overall wellness. The firm
implements healthy and safety programs through which the employees can work for regular
improvement in their health and safety.
TASK 4
10) What is meant by the term employee engagement and why is employee engagement such an
important part in effective employee relations in Microsoft?
Employee engagement: It is defined as the commitment of employees towards
organisation goals and objectives. Microsoft arranges different programs for encouraging
employee engagement. Employee engagement helps in communicating and building relations
among employees.
Importance of employee engagement in the Microsoft:
Engaged employees can boost productivity: If employees of Microsoft are engaged it is
beneficial for growth and development of the company. Engaged employees of the organisation
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are more productive than those who are not. Employee engagement gives a feeling of
commitment and value towards organisation. Employees are given responsibilities and
challenges to be performed in company for building trust and confidence.
Employee engagement increase customer satisfaction: Passionate employees are able to meet
their goals and objectives in less time. Employees who are engaged works effectively and help in
meeting the demands of customers. Workers, staff and managers of Microsoft are engaged and
they are providing high level of customer satisfaction since many years (Glendon, Clarke and
McKenna, 2016).
Company retain their best persons: Engaged employees are happy with their work and
they do not want to leave their job. On the other hand there are few employees who are not
satisfied by organisation and they want to quit. If retention rate of company is low then several
initiatives are to be taken to engage employees. Microsoft is organising many programs at
workplace for employee engagement.
Enhance the organisational structure: Employee engagement enhance the culture of
organisation because if people are satisfied with their work than there is low chances of
absenteeism. If employee is satisfied with their work than they are regular and always treat other
people nicely.
Engagement is the basic symptom of success: They give value to the work and if they
are given importance and value they feel good and motivated towards performing better.
Microsoft recognises their employees and giving them awards and certifications when required.
11) Critically evaluate the key approaches to engaging workers in the Summit and how these
approaches improve communication in the workplace.
There are different approaches showed in the summit for employee engagement. As it is a
very important factor in increasing productivity and efficiency of organisation it is necessary to
know approaches used in the company for engaging employees. These approaches are discussed
as under- Microsoft: Microsoft is using a program called Yammer for employee engagement. This
approach was shared by the Kathleen Hogan, EVP of human resources at Microsoft.
Microsoft believes organisational culture affects working of employees and leaders
should change the work culture according to technology.
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 Accenture: It follows team approach which was given by the Jason Warnke, Global
Social Enterprise Lead of Accenture. They have given several ways through which the
Accenture is engaging employees in the organisation. It empowers employees to work as
a team and improving collaboration and communication at workplace.
Communication plays a crucial part in an organisation. There are several ways for
improving the communication at the workplace which are given below:
Monitoring employees: Employees are allowed to share their ideas and views in encouraging
employees to work efficiently for the company. It helps in maintaining internal communication
in the company. Employees support each other in solving various business situations.
Implementing social intranet: This consist of several tools and equipments which are useful in
improving the communication among employees at the workplace. Communication between
employees and staff is important for better outcomes of business (Human resource management.
2016).
12) Identify the key elements of UK employment legislation, explaining how they influence HR
decision making such as recruitment, training and development and reward
Employment legislations refers to the government's rules and regulations which are
implemented for protecting the right of both employees and employers. These legislations are
very important for the Microsoft in performing their operations properly. Some of these are
discussed below: The equal pay act 1970: This law is focused on providing the equal wages and pay to
employees without any discrimination based on gender, caste etc. The employees must
get equal treatment without any partiality in the organisation. Microsoft ensures in paying
the compensation to employees including bonuses, Travelling allowances, profit sharing,
etc. The national minimum wage act 1998: This law is focusing on wages provided to
employees and workers. Wages given by the company must be appropriate and
according to the amount given by the minimum wage act 1998. HR managers decide
salary to be paid to employees by following this rule given by Government. If the
organisation does not follow these laws then penalties are charged (Importance of HRM
practices in an organisation, 2018).
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 Data protection act 2018: Employees have to give penalties for breaking the
organisational laws and rules. They needs to maintain confidentiality of work outside the
organisation. This law helps to protect confidential information of company and prevents
data from issues like cyber theft, hacking, misuse etc.
CONCLUSION
As per the above representative report it has been concluded that this case study is
nothing without Human resource management for targeted goals or objectives in a specific
manner. In the context of Chocolates Presence, HR manager takes all the responsibilities to
design a perfect workforce and culture in an organization. In order to the process, company uses
various plan such as environmental planning, approaches of Microsoft and different ways of
employee engagement in this. In Task 2 report considers about person specification or various
roles and responsibilities of receptionist. Therefore, this case study explained everything in this
report and also explain about achieving goals or objectives in a efficient manner.
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