Aim

The aim of this unit is to give learners the knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of human resource management focussing on current human resources practice and the impact of topical issues and legislation.

Learning Outcome
On successful completion of this unit a learner will:
- Understand the difference between personnel management and human resource management
- Understand how to recruit employees
- Understand how to reward employees in order to motivate and retain them
- Know the mechanisms for the cessation of employment.

LO1 Understand the difference between personnel management and human resource management
1.1. Differentiate between personnel management and human resource management
1.2. Assess the function of the human resource management in contributing to organisational purposes
1.3. Evaluate the role and responsibilities of line managers in human resource management
1.4. Analyse the impact of the legal and regulatory framework on human resource management

LO2 Understand how to recruit employees
2.1 analyse the reasons for human resource planning in organisations
2.2 outline the stages involved in planning human resource requirements
2.3 compare the recruitment and selection process in two organisations
2.4 evaluate the effectiveness of the recruitment and selection techniques in two organisations

LO3 Understand how to reward employees in order to motivate and retain them
3.1 assess the link between motivational theory and reward
3.2 evaluate the process of job evaluation and other factors determining pay
3.3 assess the effectiveness of reward systems in different contexts
3.4 examine the methods organisations use to monitor employee performance

LO4 Know the mechanisms for the cessation of employment
4.1 identify the reasons for cessation of employment with an organisation
4.2 describe the employment exit procedures used by two organisations
4.3 consider the impact of the legal and regulatory framework on employment cessation arrangements.

Purpose of this assignment

The purpose of this assignment is to assess learners knowledge and understanding of the theory and practice of human resource management focussing on current human resources practice and the impact of topical issues and legislation

Scenario for Task 1

In this task you will be required to exhibit an Understanding to the difference between personnel management and human resource management.

Identify a company with which you are familiar, either somewhere you work or have contact with. Does it have an HR department or a personnel department? Can you identify how the departments view themselves? Look for clues such as policies, practices, control and rewards. Use the information gather to address the task below.

You must substantiate your answers with suitable examples and reference all your sources.

You are required to;

1.1. Differentiate between personnel management and human resource management giving examples in two suitable organisations.

1.2. Assesshow human resource management functions help your chosen organisation in achieving its purpose.

1.3. Evaluate the role and responsibilities of line managers in your organisation or familiar organisation and how it supports human resource managementfunctions.

1.4. Analyse how legal and regulatory framework impact on human resource management.

Scenario for Task 2

Over the past year, your organisation have been experiencing high staff turnover and the Finance/HR Manager claims the reason for this is because he cannot find good people. There are currently several vacancies which needed to be fill and you have been brought in to support the Finance Manager who is also acting as the HR Manager but have little knowledge on HR matters. You have identified that there are no HR planning policy and the current recruitment and selection (R&S) process is as follows; candidates are given a telephone interview before a face to face interview. Some of the questions asked are,

- What are your life's goals,
- What is your main motivation in applying for this role,
- If you were to be anything in life what would it be,
- Tell me about your last 4 jobs (they needed 4 jobs to apply).
- Applicants are then asked to complete a psychometric assessment and an aptitude test.

You are recommending a new policy on HR planning and changes to the current recruitment and selection process.

You are required to;

2.1 Analyse the reasons for human resource planning

2.2 Outlinine the stages involved in planning human resource requirements

2.3 Compare the current recruitment and selection process in the organisation with another organisation you recommending.

2.4 Evaluatethe effectiveness ofthe organisation recruitment and selection techniques with another organisation you recommending.

Important: All parts of this report must have a connection with the scenario

Task 3: Case study of Virgin Media

In this task you will be required to show an understanding of how to reward employees in order to motivate and retain them.

Virgin Media was created from the merger of NTL, Telewest and Richard Branson's Virgin Mobile and is a part of Liberty Global plc, the world's largest international cable company. In the UK, Virgin Media is the first ‘quad play' provider, meaning that they provide broadband, TV, mobile phone and home phone services. The company has invested over £13 Bobion and owns the UK's largest fibre optic network, making it the biggest privately built network. In the first quarter of 2013 Virgin Media had 4.49 million broadband subscribers.

Using Virgin Media case study or a company with which you are familiar address the following questions substantiating your answers with suitable examples and proper referencing.

You are required to;

3.1 Assess the link between motivational theory and reward at Virgin Media or your chosen organisation. Your answer must show if you think there is a link, what connects the two.

3.2 Evaluate the process of job evaluation and other factors determining pay at Virgin Media or your chosen organisation

3.3 Assessin different contexts (for e.g. attracting talent, retention, motivation) how effective is the reward systems at Virgin Media or your chosen organisation

3.4 Examine the methods Virgin Media or your chosen organisation use to monitor employee performance.

Task 4: Case study

In this task you will be required to show an understanding of different mechanisms for the cessation of employment used by organisations to terminate employee contract. You should be able to identify the reasons for cessation and describe the exit procedures used. You should also be able to analyse the impact of the legal and regulatory framework on employment cessation arrangements.

Bob Jones owned The Chicken Master, a small, quick-serve chicken and chips restaurant in Gants Hill, Ilford. He hired Faisal to manage The Chicken Master. Faisal was a 54-year-old asian male with 15 years of restaurant management experience; Bob thought he had hit a homerun. Unfortunately, Faisal turned out to be one big strike-out. After six months on the job, Bob had to terminate him for poor performance and violation of company policy. The "front of store" was not properly cleaned and stocked; the kitchen was not cleaned; food was not prepped; and employees were not being supervised. Faisal frequently took time off for personal business during work hours without informing anyone. Bob tried to coach Faisal on his performance, but did not see any improvements. One night after closing, Bob went to check something in the back office, and found Faisal looking at pornography on his computer. Bob confronted Faisal and, after further investigation, discovered Faisal regularly looked at pornography and spent a significant portion of his work day emailing his wife, helping his daughter with homework, and even designing his own restaurant. The Chicken Master's employee handbook clearly stated that employees were not to use company equipment for personal use. All employees, including Faisal, had received and acknowledged receipt of the employee handbook. Bob had no choice. He fired Faisal for poor performance and violating company policies.

Faisal wasted no time responding to his firing. He immediately filed a case at the Employment Tribunal for a charge of discrimination, claiming that he was replaced by a female under the age of 40 and thus was a victim of age and race discrimination.

You are required to;

4.1 Identify the reasons for termination of Faisal's employment contract with The Chicken Masterand generally explainother reasons for cessation of employment.

4.2 Describe the employment exit procedures used by The Chicken Master and another organisation of your choice

4.3 Consider the impact of the legal and regulatory framework on employment cessation arrangements with an organisation such as The Chicken Master if Faisal's claim was proven to be true.