BTEC HRM Report: Recruitment Process and Practices at John Lewis

This report provides a detailed analysis of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices at John Lewis, a high-end department store. It covers the purpose and functions of HRM, including workforce planning and resourcing, and examines the strengths and weaknesses of different recruitment and selection approaches. The report evaluates the benefits of various HRM practices for both employers and employees, focusing on training and development, and assesses their effectiveness in raising organizational profit and productivity. Furthermore, it analyzes the importance of employee relations and the impact of employment legislation on HRM decision-making, illustrating these concepts with specific examples from a work-related context. The report concludes by summarizing the key findings and their implications for HRM practices at John Lewis. Desklib provides access to this and other solved assignments for students.

Recruitment Process

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION...........................................................................................................................1
TASK 1............................................................................................................................................1
P1. Explain the purpose and the functions of Human Resource Management, applicable to
workforce planning and resourcing an organisation...................................................................1
P2. Explain the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection
.....................................................................................................................................................3
TASK 2............................................................................................................................................4
P3. Explain the benefits of different Human Resource Management practices within an
organisation for both the employer and employee......................................................................4
P4. Evaluate the effectiveness of different Human Resource Management practices in terms of
raising organisational profit and productivity.............................................................................6
TASK 3............................................................................................................................................7
P5. Analyse the importance of employee relations in respect to influencing Human Resource
Management decision- making...................................................................................................7
P6. Identify the key elements of employment legislation and the impact it has upon Human
Resource Management decision- making...................................................................................7
TASK 4............................................................................................................................................8
P7. Illustrate the application of Human Resource Management practices in a work-related
context, using specific examples.................................................................................................8
CONCLUSION..............................................................................................................................11
REFERENCES..............................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Human resources are those individuals who work within an organisation and also
considered as the pillars of company who tends to support company in their good and bad time
period and it include workforce, employees, personnel’s, labour and so on. Human resource
management is the department who is accountable in order to manage and support the employees
of company. Moreover, the human resource management directly connects with the act which is
undertaken as as a mediator among the higher authority and employees of company (Van Esch,
Black and Ferolie, 2019). Moreover, the report is based on John Lewis which is the brand of
high-end department store that leads to run its business in Great Britain and its outlets are also
located in Republic of Ireland and Australia and the brand deals in general merchandise which is
known as the John Lewis Partnership. The report tends to cover the purpose and functions of
HRM considering the strengths and weaknesses of recruitment and selection process. For this,
various human resource management practices are discussed undertaking the benefits towards
both employees and employers over the productivity of company. Lastly, employee relation
criteria is evaluated considering the HRM practices on working context.
TASK 1
P1. Explain the purpose and the functions of Human Resource Management, applicable to
workforce planning and resourcing an organisation
Mission statement: The mission of company is to remain competitive and constant by carrying
forward its business tactics and also opt changes on the regular basis regarding its dynamic
business environment.
Objectives:
 Introduce quality products considering the broad range of offerings which is useful in
terms of attracting large number of customers.
 Enhancement in sales which is useful to increase profitability and also decrease their
prices to make products more reliable.
Purpose of HRM:
 Its purpose is to perform significant roles and responsibilities as the consultant for
company in order to resolve the prominent conflicts on time to conduct activities in
smooth manner.
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 Its purpose is to make sure the effective amount of work and workforce for company and
also identify that no position is vacant within an organisation.
Workforce planning is the prominent concept which is important for the human resource
management as the major duties and responsibilities are assigned by HR manager in terms of
taking care of employees by undertaking their skills, knowledge and experience (Landay and
DeArmond, 2018). For this, workforce planning is the procedure in terms of planning the
structure of employees undertaking the recruitment of new and fresh candidates in terms of
increasing the size of workforce in an organisation.
For this, human resource management has various functions that tends to contribute
towards effective workforce planning and also tends to fulfil the requirement of company in
terms of manpower. John Lewis is the large company that tends to operate across the world
considering various locations. For this, the overall structure of employees of John Lewis is quite
mixed as people are hired from the local market area within the store. For this, entities has its
own HRM team that work for the planning of the manpower of John Lewis. In terms of this,
HRM has various functions with its own purpose and these are mentioned as:
Managerial functions:
Planning: It is the primary function in which the number of employees and their kind are
determined which is required in terms of achieving the goals and objectives in terms of
completing task within the stipulated period of time (Berman and et. al., 2019). Purpose: For this, the planning function is performed in terms of gaining knowledge
regarding the needs of John Lewis in order to recruit more and more employees.
Organising: It is performed considering the tasks and other concerning activities that are
delegated to the individuals as per the skills, capabilities and experience. Purpose: Its objective is to integrate the prominent activities towards the end goals of
company by allotting employees to experts and skilled workforce in prominent areas.
Directing: This function is related to providing effective guidance to workers which is beneficial
for John Lewis for the longer period of time (Shamim and et. al., 2016). For example, opt
effective cost leadership approach leads to make it more significant for employees in order to
eliminate waste and induce functional and operational activities. Purpose: The overall objective of company is to influence the efficiency of individuals
by offering them effective guidance in an effective manner undertaking the right path.
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Monitoring: This function considers the above discussed three stages are perform by employees
and tends to develop effective standard against them. As per the controlling measures that are
taken as if any deviation is identified then effective actions are taken. Purpose: Its objective is to integrate the performance of employees towards the
expectations of organisation and also tends to meet the aims and objectives.
Operative functions:
Maintenance and motivation: It is the operative function as it plays an important role in which
they make prominent efforts in order to motivate employees and also tends to boost their
performance level that leads to develop the overall performance and productivity (Nieves and
Quintana, 2018). Purpose: The reason behind considering this function is to keep people motivate and
active in terms of achieving their goals and objectives.
Training and development: It depict the prominent practice in terms of keeping staff members
update regarding their skills and knowledge and also tends to bring changes according to their
knowledge and skills.
 Purpose: Training is considered as the significant function of employees in terms of
keeping them in the industry and for this, employees also tends to execute their
knowledge and skills considering the prominent duties which employees need to become
well trained.
Managing performance: It is useful to manage the overall performance of employees by
identifying and overseeing the performance considering the significant deviations for their
performance. It is an act which is helpful to make sure regarding the set of activities and also
useful in meeting with the desired outcomes. The HR manager of John Lewis tend to manage
and enhance the performance of employees with the help of effective method like objectives,
360-degree feedback and so on.
Managing reward: It is related with the implementation and formulation of business
strategies and norms with the objectives of rewarding people in fair manner and also identify
their values. These rewards are offered to them on the grounds of significant performance and
also divided among two prominent parts like financial and non-financial. In terms of John Lewis,
they use these methods in terms of motivating and encouraging employees to achieve expected
outcome.
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P2. Explain the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection
Recruitment is the prominent activity which leads to attract significant candidates in
terms of developing them and they also have numerous potentials in order to make company
more competent in order to achieve their goals and objectives considering the effective
performance within the prescribed way and also helps in smooth running of functions
(Morgeson, Brannick and Levine, 2019). Recruitment is done by two significant methods
considering internal and external. For this, various approaches of recruitment process are used by
HRM department of John Lewis is effective in terms of bringing the best employees.
Internal recruitment
Promotions: It is a technique in which the existing staff members are moved towards
the vacant job position. For this, senior sales executives tend to promote towards the sales
manager post. It is the upward movement of employees from their current job position towards
the hierarchical higher job position to increase and responsibilities. It tends to promote
employee satisfaction, improve morale and motivate them to perform better as various
opportunities for the promotion tend to motivate to acquire new skills, education and
knowledge.
Strengths Weaknesses
Promoting recruitment is quite cheap and not
much time taken process as it considers the
huge cost for the recruitment that can be saved
by John Lewis with lot of time.
Promotions are quite easy and time saving
process but for this, another position get vacant
in terms of filling the other position in the
company.
Transfer: In this process, employees are being transferred from one place to another
place in terms of exploring them, finding their new skills and performing more better.
External recruitment
Employment agencies and websites: Both are the external recruiting company in terms
of working as the middleman among the employers and employee. For this, the channel tends to
collect prominent information for both the parties and also exchange in terms of rendering the
prominent clarity to every individual (Armstrong and Taylor, 2020).
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Strengths Weaknesses
This technique leads to save lot of time with
the help of HRM department of John Lewis
considering the external recruitment method.
Here company set few boundaries for itself and
also misses the effective opportunity in order
to hire better and efficient employees.
Selection is the next procedure in terms of hiring people considering the suitable
applicants for proper screening and also tends to evaluate to analyse the suitability for the
company (Armstrong, Landers and Collmus, 2016). For this the pool of candidates regarding the
recruitment stage is analysed and evaluated for those who are not so appropriate in terms of
performing their job role and to those John Lewis ask to leave the organisation.
 Interview is the effective selection methods which is used by the HRM department of
John Lewis in which employees tends to ask questions that are related to their job role
and for gain effective vision regarding their skills and competencies of job.
Strengths Weaknesses
The interview procedure is quite strict that
tends to enable the managers in terms of
having clarity and also does not have any
scope left as both the parties are sitting in front
of each other.
The weak point of selection process leads to
include prominent cost and time as it is the
lengthy process that include various actions
and effective preparation.
TASK 2
P3. Explain the benefits of different Human Resource Management practices within an
organisation for both the employer and employee
HRM is responsible for taking prominent care of employees and management of staff
members as it is important for employees and company for the effective functioning and
productivity which is related to the operations of company in order to achieve particular
objectives. For this, human resource management tends to consider various practices in terms of
keeping the manpower in an effective line and also tends to manage them (Armstrong, 2019). For
this, human resource management leads to develop practice that tends to influence the success of
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company and also influence the productivity of individuals. Moreover, these practices are quite
beneficial for the employers and employees as two prominent practices are discussed undertaking
the benefits of both employees and employers in terms of John Lewis that are mentioned as
underneath:
Training and development: It is considered as the right of employees that tends to
undertake various posts and their development considering the skills and competencies. These
sessions are organised by HR manager of John Lewis in terms of motivating for updating the
knowledge of manpower considering the field and also offer them an effective opportunity in
terms of developing required skills for the growth of their future and career (Koch, Gerber and De
Klerk, 2018). These training sessions tends to offer the effective purpose considering the
knowledge and vision of individuals and also keep the company grow in terms of effective
development of industry regarding the changes that takes place in market area. Benefits to employees: It is beneficial for employees of John Lewis and its HR team that
tends to develop workforce undertaking the skills and effective development in order to
enhance the competencies of individuals. For this, employees get effective chance and
opportunity to develop better capabilities as a professional and also move towards the
career in order to achieve effective position in John Lewis and also keep motivating them
regarding their performance (Bratton and Gold, 2017).
 Benefits to employers: This practice of HRM is beneficial of company and employer as
they tend to develop their competitive advantage by effective productivity of workforce.
Motivation: It is known as the art and science that leads to put emphasis on the prominent
factor undertaking the prominent components by which people can move towards the specific
direction and also tends to achieve prominent objectives (Ren, Tang and Jackson, 2018). For this,
HRM make effective efforts in terms of keeping staff members of John Lewis motivated and also
upthrust them to work effectively. Benefits to employees: The effective benefit of motivational practices for the individuals
tends to receive new and effective ways by considering various things and also tends to
influence the performance standards that leads to increase effective willingness regarding
the working in an organisation to increase productivity.
 Benefits to employers: For this, company like John Lewis is beneficial undertaking the
motivational practices that are introduced and executed by HR department considering the
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performance of company which is improved in terms of effective productive performance
and also involve employees in order to increase functions of company that tends to
increase creativity and revenues of company.
P4. Evaluate the effectiveness of different Human Resource Management practices in terms of
raising organisational profit and productivity
Employees and employers both are beneficial for company as they both undertake
prominent actions considered by HR department of company. For this, both the department plays
and important role and also contribute towards the success and growth of company regarding the
growth and success that leads to increase better productivity and performance (DeCenzo, Robbins
and Verhulst, 2016). For this, the human resource management team tends to develop effective
actions that are helpful in order to enhance the competencies and also work as per the objectives
of John Lewis. For this, respective company get benefit from the HR practices that are discussed
in above part as it tends to enable the manager of John Lewis in order to increase their
profitability and revenue units. Furthermore, the productivity and profitability of these practices
plays an important role which is important to opt and make effective profit. For this, the
prominent evaluation of these practices is mentioned as underneath:
Training and development: It are the effective practice that leads to influence employees
and their competencies in order to keep them informed regarding their changes that occur in the
industry (Mayes and et. al., 2017). For instance, training sessions are offered company in terms of
making their employees more comfortable for new technologies and also able to introduce in
concerning operations of John Lewis. It tends to enhance the overall performance of company that
result in increasing the productivity which implies that the productivity enhances because of the
overall performance of company that ultimately increase the objectives within stipulated period of
time.
Motivation: Here, employees need to become quite motivated and inspired in terms of the
wellbeing and success of company. Moreover, the performance of employees and their motivation
is linked with workers and they do not have prominent objective in terms of accomplishing
working by not putting their efforts to perform in company (Chams and García-Blandón, 2019).
For this, John Lewis, looks over the fact in order to keep their staff members happy and satisfied
that leads to motivate them. Motivated workers also tend to enhance and involve them in the
operations of John Lewis. Furthermore, proper engagement of employees tends to increase the
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productivity and performance that prominently influence the profitability and indicate towards the
effectiveness of HRM.
Therefore, with the help of effective rewards and recognition to employees it is helpful in
terms of improving the overall performance of employees and when workers perform quite in an
effective way then it significantly tends to enhance the productivity of company. Besides this,
offering rewards and recognition to employees it is helpful to motivate towards the effective
performance for their job role that leads to improve the productivity and because of their brilliant
performance for the profitability of company also gets increased.
TASK 3
P5. Analyse the importance of employee relations in respect to influencing Human Resource
Management decision- making
Employee relation is the phenomena which depict the prominent efforts that are made by
the employees and employers in order to develop effective relationship considering the working
condition of company. This concept revolves around various prominent factors in terms of
keeping staff members happy within the environment of company and also make effective efforts
to work with one another (Markoulli and et. al., 2017). Along with this, it also tends to make that
employees have power and sense of responsibilities in order to resolve concerning issues with
each other. For the large company like John Lewis, it is the effective concept of developing
signifiant relations with each other in order to stay in the effective business environment. Hence,
common benefits and significance of employee relations are mentioned as:
Better communication: It is the prominent factor which is important in company
considering the communication flow as John Lewis tends to prominently develop effective
communication which is important for boosting the overall performance of company (Landay and
DeArmond, 2018). Effective employee relations tend to enable flexibility and effective flow of
communication which is beneficial in terms of effective performance to make organisation more
productive.
Effective organisation culture: Every company is functioning regarding the fundamental
method which is applicable on every staff member. This way of operation and values, principles,
ethics and so on tends to guide employees for the culture of company (Berman and et. al., 2019).
Employees of John Lewis work in an effective manner as the employees work in an effective
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manner undertaking the better relationship and communication which leads to improve the
effectiveness and potential for the performance to make sure the profitability and performance.
Role of trade unions:
 Collective agreements: It is considered as the collective labour agreement which is written
as contract negotiated by collective bargaining for employees from one or more trade
unions with them management of company. It also tends to regulate the terms and
conditions of employees at the workplace. It tends to include regulating the wages,
benefits and significant duties of employees and duties and responsibilities of both
employees and employers considering the rules for the dispute resolution procedure.
 Grievance and redundancy practices: It is introduced under the fundamental and radical
modifications of law which is relating to managing services and disciplinary problems at
the workplace. This regulation introduces statutory minimum internal disciplinary and
grievance process. In this, employer need to invite the employee to meet and follow the
meeting to inform employees regarding any decision which offer significant appeal. Along
with this, employer must arrange the significant meeting whenever it is possible to meet
with the employer to inform employees about the final decision.
P6. Identify the key elements of employment legislation and the impact it has upon Human
Resource Management decision- making
Employment legislation depicts the significant regulations and norms that are developed
by government and employees undertaking the employment in terms of keeping people safe in
company and they also have effective right for the working condition of company in order to
complete task for accomplishing goals of company (Shamim and et. al., 2016). In John Lewis,
employees work in term of keeping the working environment healthy and safe and also tends to
consider significant rights. In terms of this, few rights are mentioned as:
Equality act, 2010: This act tends to protect the workers from any kind of partiality and
discrimination and prevent them to become the victim in workplace. This act also represents the
various ways in order to identify the practices of discrimination which is quite unethical and
unlawful (Armstrong, Landers and Collmus, 2016). For this, the human resource team of John
Lewis make effective use of developing the prominent pay scale of employees. They also tend to
make sure the prominent requirement of act and concerning regulations. For this, employees are
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treated in equal manner and get equal opportunities to move towards the success in company to
earn high profitability.
Health and safety, 1974: It depicts the wide range of duties and responsibilities of
employer and also need prominent guidelines to make this possible at the workplace to keep
things safe and healthy for people. The HR manager of John Lewis tends to make sure the proper
adoption of practices that support safe working environment and keep the morale of employees
high. For this, it is essential for company to have effective workplace environment which is
developed by employers by considering the emotional and well-being of employees
TASK 4
P7. Illustrate the application of Human Resource Management practices in a work-related
context, using specific examples
Job analysis: It is undertaken as the deep research of the particular job post to consider the
small details regarding the job considered as job analysis.
Job description: It is the comprehensive job summary which represent the significant
content of job in short but also in exhaustive way.
JOB ADVERTISEMENT
We're HIRING !!
Marketing Manager (Full-Time)
It is an opportunity for fresh and talented individuals to work in large organisation and become
part of the family of John Lewis & Partners. We have vacant job post for full time Marketing
Manager in our organisation.
Total 48 working hours in a week with additional benefits. Training and equipments are
provided. Deadline for application is October 10, 2020.
Pay and Benefits
-London Living Wage
-25 Days Annual Leave
Contact us today
If you are interested in working with our organisation please
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-Travelling allowances either:
 send you CV to 587 Muffin Lane, W45 WXC
 or email it to [e-mail]
JOB DESCRIPTION
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job title: Marketing Manager
Department: Marketing Department
Job summary: Marketing manager tends to perform various critical and complicated roles and
for this, the individuals have various job roles in order to perform signifiant functions. They
have to work regarding the marketing functions for company and also tends to make effective
promotional plans. For this, individuals need to keep up with the team members and also tends
to manage the overall marketing team to make employees happy.
Duties and Responsibilities:
 Conduct proper market research before developing product.
 Examine the concerning risk factor in an organisation.
 Develop new and fresh promotional strategies for the product.
 Manage the social accounts of John Lewis and prominently apply signifiant plans.
 Comply with effective laws and legislations.
Qualification and Skills:
 Effective team working and communication skills.
 Master in marketing field.
 Time and self-management skills with analytical abilities.
 Co-operative and techno friendly.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Essential skills:
 Strong and influential multi-tasking skills.
 Excellent administrative and marketing skills.
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 Good communication and observing skills. Effective team working and leading with problem solving competencies.
Desired skills:
 Effective knowledge and skills to work with fast paced and dynamic situation
considering the complex situation.
 An effective viewpoint for the good privacy practices.
 Must have proper patience and cooperative attitude.
INTERVIEW QUESTIONS
Q1. Give me your brief introduction and what motivate you to work in the marketing field?
Q2. What make you more passionate and encourage to perform the task of Marketing manager?
Q3. How can you develop your personal and professional skills considering the past experience
and knowledge?
Q4. What are your strengths to perform the specific job role?
OFFER LETTER
JOB OFFER LETTER
John Lewis & Partners, Great Britain
England, UK
September 20, 2020
Mr. ABC,
Human Resource Executive,
We are glad to offer you the position of Marketing manager at John Lewis and it is the full time
job for 6 working days with 8 hours in a day. For this, the initial salary which is offered by us to
you will be 25,000 pounds. Moreover, you also get some extra benefits which the full time
employee get. For this, the key benefits of the employment which is offered are available in
terms of enclosing the document at the end of mail.
We are looking forward for your positive response to join us as soon as possible. For any
queries and questions feel to contact us and do not hesitate to clear anything. The contact details
are available on the official website of John Lewis.
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Sincerely,
Mr. XYZ
Senior Human Resource Manager
John Lewis & Partners
Therefore, the purpose to select and recruit effective candidate is to put right men at the right
job. It is the process in order to match the needs of company undertaking the qualifications and
skills of people. It is also relevant to fulfil the vacant job position considering the certain
employment laws including anti-discrimination law that should be obeyed at the time of
employee selection.
CONCLUSION
By considering the above discussion, it depicts the significance of Human resource
management and team within an organisation. For this, employees act as the support system for
company which is mandatory to keep people inspired and also support them in terms of getting
better result, increase the performance and productivity. It also depicts the effective management
and proper motivation of staff members within an organisation in which different functions work
by undertaking the proper practices like training and development, employee relations, effective
management and so on. Lastly, prominent applications of HRM practices are undertaken within
the work-related context by considering prominent examples.
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REFERENCES
Books and Journals
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