Analysis of HRM Practices and Employment Legislation at Waitrose

This report provides an in-depth analysis of Human Resource Management (HRM) practices at Waitrose Limited. It begins with an introduction to HRM, outlining its purpose and functions, followed by an examination of recruitment and selection approaches, including their strengths and weakness...Read More

Human resource management

Table of Contents
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................3
TASK1..................................................................................................................................................3
P1. Purpose and function of HRM ..................................................................................................3
P2. Strength and weaknesses of approaches related to recruitment and selection..........................4
TASK2..................................................................................................................................................6
P3. Benefits of different HRM practices..........................................................................................6
P4. Effectiveness of HRM practices in order to increasing the profit and productivity..................7
TASK3..................................................................................................................................................8
P5. Significance of employee relations in order to influence decision making...............................8
P6. Key elements of employment legislation and their impact on HRM decision making.............9
TASK4................................................................................................................................................10
P7. HRM practices from work related context..............................................................................10
CONCLUSION...................................................................................................................................11
REFRENCES.....................................................................................................................................12

INTRODUCTION
Human resource management is consider as component tool in running the overall
operations of business. Further HR manager formulate all the plans, policies and tactics on the basis
of which working of organisation has been carried out. It is the utmost responsibility of HR
manager to recruit and select the best candidates for vacant job position. After that they help in
managing all people at the time they performing their daily targets by guiding them for use of
innovative and modern techniques in their operations (Boxall and Purcell ,2011). Under this
assignment the company which is preferred i.e. Waitrose Limited which is UK based British
supermarkets dealing in groceries having 325 branches in all over the world. This project discuss
about the purpose and function of HRM, strength and weaknesses under the approach of selection
and recruitment, benefits of HRM and different employment legislation which enforced by
government for the protection of workforce.
TASK1
P1. Purpose and function of HRM
Different functions has been performed by the organisation of Waitrose in order to carry out
all the operation of business and utilise all the resources optimally without any wastage. Various
plans are made by HR manager in order to identifying employment opportunities and needs of
workplace.
Purpose of HRM:- The main purpose of HRM is to ensure that needs and requirement of employees
satisfy and they don't face any type of issue and problem at the time of performing any task. If any
conflicts and disputes arises between employer and employees then take corrective step to solve it.
Therefore the purpose that associated with HRM are stated below:- Maintaining superior subordinate relation:- The main purpose of HRM is to utilise all their
available human resources in proper manner. Large organisation consist of wide range of
employees which coming from different background and opinion with distinct thoughts and
opinion which create the chances of disputes and issue. Therefore HR manager
communicate with them in order to solve all the problems of company.
 Effective utilisation of resources:- under this point company must ensure that all the
available resources are used in proper manner. HR manager main purpose to analyse
available resources and plan in what manner they get utmost benefits from company
properties (Brewster ,2017). Maintenance of inventory, retention of able employees and
ethical practises are major component in relation of resource utilisation. Motivate employees:- It is important for HR manager to get the knowledge regarding all the

skills and abilities consist in workforce. Apart from it at the time of solving complex
problem emphasis employees to take active participation in every activities which motivate
them to think something creative and innovative which solve all the problems of employees
and facilitates rational decision-making. Ethical practices:- Company HR manager must maintain good corporate culture in their
working atmosphere. Further, ensure that working operations are done with fair trade
practices. Good environment ensure positivity and enthusiasm among worker in
organisation.
Function of HRM:- Different function has been carried out by Human resource department in order
to accomplish goals of organisation which stated below:- Planning:- This is consider as first function of management in which strategic level forecast
that how to formulate their action plans and also find out different ways through which they
scan the external environment in respect of upcoming demand and implement changes in
their products services according to it in order to satisfy customers needs. Staffing:- One of the important function of HR manager are related to internal employees in
which duties and responsibilities are delegated to different workforce according to their
specialisation. Apart from it recruiting and selecting able employees for vacant job position
so that effective outcomes can be obtained from it. Controlling:- This is the last function of management in which actual performance
compared with standard performance and if any deviation arises HR manager take an
corrective steps in order to accomplishing all the goals of company.
 Employee engagement:- HR manager organise different function related to training
development programmes and engaged them in understanding all the new techniques they
adopt in their working style for effective results. Another benefits related to creation of
harmony and peace at the time of achieving mutual objectives.
Therefore, Waitrose must consider all the above purpose and function of HRM in order to run the
business effectively for long term purpose and maintain the sustainability in competitive external
market for getting good outcome in future.
P2. Strength and weaknesses of approaches related to recruitment and selection
Their are different types of approaches which are used by organisation in order to select and
recruit the talented individuals for vacant job positions (Campbell , Coff and Kryscynski , 2012).
The main objective of HR manager is to identify the best candidates from available alternatives
which satisfy the demand of current business profile in order to gain productivity and efficiency in
environment. Selection is the part of recruitment which help in identifying the best individual
among available persons. Two source I.e internal and external source of recruitment are used by

company according to their suitability which ensure better accomplishment of vision and mission.
Following are the methods used by Waitrose Limited in their recruitment process having their own
pros and cons are described below:- Internal source:- Under this method individual is selected from inside premises of
organisation without getting the help of external source. It is simple task of HR manager to
select best employee among available option for vacant post on the basis of their skill and
talent from which they already familiar. It save time, effort and cost of business although
every source has their own advantages and disadvantages which described below:-
Strength Weaknesses
 Company using this source save time,
effort and money and utilise it on other
important matters.
 Internal employees are already familiar
with policies and working culture of
organisation so there is no need to
organise separate training for it.
 At the time of selecting employee HR
manager has good knowledge about the
talent of available employee and who is
deserving for that business profile.
 Increases employee morale and
motivation by induce them for active
participation in decision-making.
 Person who perform well appreciated
through rewards.
 Under this approach organisation still
using old method of doing work which
effect the growth of business.
 Hard to implement new changes in the
organisation structure because of
traditional thinking of employees.
 Politics and partiality plays vital role in
creating negativity.
 Chances of unfair trade practices for
earning profits.
External source:- This method is used in most of the companies in which candidate has been
selected from outside the premises. Different medium has been used by company in order to create
awareness among candidates regarding vacant job position along with eligible criteria. Medium like
social networking, newspaper, magazines and other internet sites in which information about the
number of vacant position, qualification required for that job. Following are strength and
weaknesses of this method are described below:-
Advantages Disadvantage
 Entry of new and talented employees  Longer and complex procedure.

who think out of the box in order to
create innovation in company product
and services.
 Young employees are more familiar with
the current trends and demand of
customer which allow them to provide
goods and services to customer at best
manner.
 HR manager has an option to select best
candidates from available alternatives.
 Chances of growth and productivity is
more under it.
 It consider as most expensive method
because HR manager take the assistance
of advertisement and other social media
sites for better options.
 Sometime rough decision has been taken
by HR manager because of different
option.
 Chances of clashes and disputes are
more because of different opinion
between new and existing employees.
TASK2
P3. Benefits of different HRM practices
Human resource management performed various types of practices which they used in their
working operations. Different types of practices are used by HR manager in order to recruit select
best candidates for the vacant job position arises in company (Coff and Kryscynski ,2011). Apart
from it organising systematic programmes related training, development and performance
management which ensure good performance at the time of achieving daily targets of company.
Better coordination and cooperation among employees is possible through effective use of HRM
practices in business environment. Advantages or benefits derived from HRM practices are stated
below:-
From organisation point of view:- Various advantages can be attained by HR manager from
different HRM practices which are following
 It helps in demonstration of commitment regarding good employment relationship.
 Proper ethical practices and code of conduct because of effective communication between
superior and subordinates.
 HRM practices helps in communicating appropriately vision, mission and objectives of
company.
 Appropriate compliances of all the legal legislation in respect of employment policies
related to salary, compensation policies in order to run the business smoothly. Ensure the benefits of higher productivity and efficiency among workforce because of
utilisation of own skills and abilities.

From management point of view:- Different advantages gained by management from HRM
practices are following-
 Good way through which organisation education whole management group about
procedures and application.
 Ability to solve all the conflicts and issues among management by applying different
techniques and mechanism.
 Professional guidance and ways of doing work in order to satisfy all the doubts of them. Communicate all the upcoming projects of company through which they earn huge amount
of profits and give maximum returns to shareholders.
From employees point of view:- Different advantages that derived to employees are following:-
 Enhance growth and productivity of individuals through better training and development.
 Career progression through individual development and enhancement.
 Effective communication leads to accomplishment of objectives and goals.
 Satisfaction of self esteem needs with grater satisfaction and security.
Apart from it other advantages are:-
Promote positive behaviour:- Waitrose Limited is one of the largest supermarket which comprises
of larger employees so it is important for HR manager to use all the HRM practices in such manner
which ensure effective utilisation of resources and ensure positive climate by maintaining harmony
and cooperation among superior and subordinates. When employee is happy from their work then is
such case HRM practices are utilised properly which satisfy their working need properly.
Facilitating flexible workforce:- Mostly all the employees are resistance to change so if the
manager wants something innovative in their working style or in case of beating all the challenges
of rivalry then leader need must adopt such practices and mechanism which help in changing the
nature of workforce to become it flexible.
P4. Effectiveness of HRM practices in order to increasing the profit and productivity
Their are different practices which are used in human resource department which include
performance management, recruitment, selection and motivation in workplace (Farndale , Scullion
and Sparrow , 2010). Therefore, it has been said if the employees work in the coordinate manner
that will help in enhancing growth and productivity of business and employees both. Effectiveness
of HRM practices help in maximising sale and profitability which described below:-
Learning, training and development practices:- Importance of practices in Human resource
management assist in providing better training and development of employees. Further, Waitrose
Limited staff has to interact with different clients everyday so it is important for company to
develop professional attitude among employees so they easily sort out all the issues and problems
faced by customers easily. This will help in achieving all the long term objective in appropriate

manner.
Flexible working options:- In order to increase profits and productivity of business manager always
guide their employees to become flexible at the time of accepting all the changes coming in
working atmosphere in order to grab all the market opportunities and remove the threads in external
environment. Further, helpful in maintaining good relation among superior and subordinates.
Payment and rewards system:- It is another part used in HRM practices in order to enhance the
growth and productivity of individuals. For example in Waitrose HR manager adopt such policies
which help in motivating employees for good performance. Further those who are performing well
in particular task or operations then they will be rewarded and appreciated with good incentives and
salary packages.
Proper observation of employee performances:- HR whole management team has to analyse the
daily performance of staff members and on the basis of such observation communicate with all
those employees who are not using their talent and capacity in performing task and operations and
give them strict ultimatum in order to improve their performances. Further ensure reward and
incentive for those who performing well.
Systematic information system:- It is also known as knowledge administration department who
collect all the information and data regarding their employees and daily customers. Further Waitrose
is one of the top most supermarket dealing in different groceries available at one roof only. So there
is need to maintain the proper data regarding the stock availability, daily customers who visit that
outlet by using various HRM practices that help in getting all the information at the time of
investigation when needed for better decision making.
TASK3
P5. Significance of employee relations in order to influence decision making
It is vital for organisation to maintain good atmosphere and healthier relation among
employer and employees in order to carried out all the planning procedure in effective manner.
Apart from it is an responsibility of manager to maintaining good relation among internal workforce
so they are free to share their issues and problems with strategic level which help in satisfying
employee needs and demand which leads to reduction in workforce turnover (Fine ,2012). The
importance of good employee relations are described below:-
 If good relations has been maintained between employer and employees then it will help in
enhancing the productivity and profitability of business.
 Improving employee relations help in creating pleasant and productive environment that
encourage loyalty among workforce and leads to retention of employees which reduce the
cost of recruitment at the time of hiring and training new employees. Low turnover help in

increasing the skill and talent of employees.
 Organise employee relation under which all the issues and conflicts among employer and
employees has been reduced through discussion and mutual understanding.
 Further company can organise training programmes in which different event has been
organised through which all the employee come at one place in order to solve all the
disputes and conflicts.
 Good employee relation help in improving the overall quality of work which help in
increasing the productivity and morale of employees. Further it help in increasing the
employee loyalty and reduces the turnover of professional workforce. Maintaining quality
standard in goods and services increasing the goodwill and brand image also.
 Waitrose Limited required to trained their employees in such manner that leads to
professionalism among workforce that ensure effective communication among staff member
and customers belong to different backgrounds.
 Good relation among people help in increasing profits and market share of company.
P6. Key elements of employment legislation and their impact on HRM decision making
Their are different laws and legislation which has been made in order to protect the interest
working of employees. Further it help manager in achieving goals and objectives in long run.
Although Waitrose is big organisation maintaining good relation among various workforce which
leads to free flow of communication among staff members. Compliance of different legal laws
which help in running company in effective manner are described below:- Health and safety Act, 1974:- This law state that company need to make proper
arrangement regarding health and safety of working employees (Guest ,2011). If any
individual indulge in hazardous activity at the time of manufacturing products then use
appropriate measures for safety of persons. Anti discrimination act:- This act states that every employee work in organisation cannot be
discriminated on the basis on caste, creed and racism. If employees is not treated in
equitable manner then he or she has proper right to sue against company for the
compensation.
 Minimum wages act:- According to this law every employees must be paid with minimum
wages in organisation in order to satisfy their daily needs and requirement. Further if they
are not getting proper salary then individual can sue against it. This law applicable in those
organisation who comprises more than 15 employees,
Therefore, Waitrose limited has to ensure that management team compiled with all the above laws
in order to running the business smoothly and also for accomplishment of goals.

TASK4
P7. HRM practices from work related context
Different application of HRM practices has used by organisation in order to achieve
organisational objectives in appropriate manner. Main practices applied by Waitrose Limited are
follows:-
Job Specification:- This term described as official document that discuss about all the activities and
task performed by individual in that particular business profile (Huselid and Becker ,2017). Further
it describes set of competencies that required to be attain by person. Systematic examination related
to task performance are done in proper manner.
JOB SPECIFICATION
Organisation Name:- Waitrose Limited
Job Profile :- Human resource manager
Educational Qualification:- MBA or PGDM in human resource
Eligibility Criteria:-
 Maintaining coordination and cooperation among different function of management.
 Capable to handle complex problem related to employee issues.
 Able to deal with all the situations in productive manner.
Desirable Criteria:-
 3 Years or more experiences
 Good knowledge about HR rules and principles
 Effective communication and harmony among employees.
Job Description:- It is an documents that gives the details about the roles and responsibility that
individual has to accomplished at particular job profile.
Job Description
Organisation:- Waitrose Limited
Department:- Human resource
Job title:- Human resource manager
Location of job:- England
Job summary
Company is looking for able employee who has deep knowledge regarding Human resource
working responsibilities and handle all workforce relation effectively.
Role:-

 Compliances of all laws and regulations
 Maintaining harmony and peace in business environment.
 Recruitment and selection process
When Waitrose limited carried out their whole recruitment procedures then their main
objective is to reach to maximum number of candidate and choose best and under whole thing CV
always consider for final selection of candidate.
CURICULAM VITAE
Curriculum Vitae
Name: Chris Evans
Address :25 royal street, London
Phone No. - 6546789545
Profile summary:
An MBA in human resources with 3 years of experience wishes to be a part of organisation that
provides me opportunities for growth and career advancement. Effective communicator with
deep knowledge of management theories and topics.
Specialisation:
 Recruitment
 Management of Human relations
 Conflict management Training and development
Educational qualification: -
 Bachelor in Commerce. (B.com) Masters in Business administration (MBA) (HR)
Declaration:
I hereby declare that all the information provided is true and is best of my knowledge.
Date:
Place:
CONCLUSION
It has been concluded from whole assignment that HRM plays an essential role in order to
achieve organisational objectives. Further it help in selecting best candidates for vacant job
position. Waitrose Limited UK based supermarket deals in groceries providing quality standard in
their goods and services and HR manager must properly utilise all the HRM practices in order to

gain competitive advantage and maintain decorum in corporate atmosphere.

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