HRM approaches and labour turnover

What is a potential negative consequence of Hard HRM?

It may lead to higher labour turnover due to stress and lack of motivation from strict management.

What is a potential positive consequence of Soft HRM?

It may lead to lower labour turnover as employees feel more valued and less stressed.

How does ineffective leadership or management contribute to high labour turnover?

Demotivating leadership styles like autocratic or laissez-faire can cause employees to leave.

Why can poor communication lead to high labour turnover?

Workers become confused and unsure of their tasks or what is happening in the business.

When might low wages become a cause for high labour turnover?

When wages are low compared to comparable jobs in the market, employees may seek better-paying opportunities.

What type of work can contribute to high labour turnover?

Boring, unchallenging, or repetitive work with no opportunities for promotion can lead to high turnover.

How do poor working conditions affect labour turnover?

Unfavorable working conditions can cause dissatisfaction and encourage employees to leave.

What can happen to labour turnover when the economy is doing well?

Labour turnover can increase as there are more employment opportunities available for staff.

What is monitoring and benchmarking in the context of reducing labour turnover?

It involves comparing a business's labour turnover to similar businesses in the same market to identify areas for improvement.

How can exit interviews help a business reduce labour turnover?

They provide useful, honest information about negative aspects of the business as employees are more likely to be candid when leaving.

How can recruitment and selection practices help reduce labour turnover?

By providing better induction training, businesses can ensure new employees are well-integrated and satisfied, reducing their likelihood to leave.

What is a 'soft approach' to human resources management?

A soft approach views employees as valuable assets, appreciating their contributions and believing in developing their interests, knowledge, and passions.

How might a soft approach to human resources management influence the HR objectives set by a business?

HR objectives may include investing more in the workforce through training, offering more responsibility, and providing educational programs to enhance employee knowledge and passions.

What is labour turnover?

Labour turnover refers to the number of workers leaving a business during a specific period.

What are some common reasons for employees leaving a business?

Reasons include seasonal work, low wages, poor working conditions, lack of promotion or opportunities, temporary or zero-hour contracts, and lack of training.

What problems can be associated with high labour turnover?

High labour turnover can lead to time-consuming and expensive induction training for new employees, high recruitment and selection costs, and time lost in production.

What is the core philosophy of the 'soft approach' to Human Resource Management (HRM)?

The soft approach views employees as valuable assets who can add great value to an organization, emphasizing development, enhancement, and building on their interests, with managers acting as facilitators.

What are the key advantages of implementing a soft approach to Human Resource Management?

Advantages include more creativity and innovation, competitive advantage, and increased employee loyalty.

What are the potential disadvantages of a soft approach to Human Resource Management?

Disadvantages include higher costs, the time required for implementation, and it may not be suitable for every staff or business situation.

What crucial factors should businesses consider when deciding on an Human Resource Management (HRM) approach, beyond assuming a soft approach is always best?

Businesses need to assess their specific situation and consider external factors before making a decision.

Why would a heavy workload be a reason for a fast-growing small business to create a dedicated HR Manager position?

A heavy workload can lead to pressure and stress on existing managers, potentially resulting in lower performance, which an HR manager can alleviate.

How does the recruitment and selection process justify creating an HR Manager role in a fast-growing small business?

Recruitment and selection is a lengthy process; a fast-growing business will need to employ more workers for increased demand, a task best handled by a dedicated HR manager.

How can an HR manager effectively increase productivity at a clothes shop through training initiatives?

An HR manager can arrange training that motivates staff, equips them with new skills, and demonstrates that the company cares by investing in their development.

What characterizes a 'hard approach' to Human Resource Management?

It is a top-down management approach where employees are directed, controlled, and closely monitored to ensure they meet productivity targets.

How does the 'hard approach' typically view employees in relation to the business?

Employees are often seen as cogs in a business-machine, easily replaceable.

What are some advantages of implementing a 'hard approach' to HRM?

Advantages include a reduced risk of errors, employees being easily replaceable, and predictable outcomes.

What are the disadvantages of the 'hard approach' in Human Resource Management?

Disadvantages include low employee morale, high staff turnover (low staff retention), and high reliance on the management team.