Management B – Week 1 Lecture (Human Resources & Course Guidance)

These flashcards cover the major concepts, policies, HR terminology, and course administration details discussed in Week 1 of Management B, including roles of managers, HR challenges, employment life cycle, key legislation, and syllabus highlights.

Name one of the four contemporary HR challenges identified in Chapter 11.

Aligning the workforce with organizational needs (others: creating safe workplaces, ensuring fair treatment, promoting employee well-being).

What does aligning the workforce involve?

Matching the right employees to the right jobs at the right time through retaining, reskilling, and attracting talent.

Give an example of psychological safety in the workplace.

Freedom from harassment, such as protection against sexual harassment highlighted by the #MeToo movement.

What is the ‘glass ceiling’?

An invisible barrier caused by subtle discrimination that prevents women and minorities from reaching top executive positions.

Define employee experience.

The total journey of being an employee, encompassing daily interactions and long-term perceptions within the organization.

What term describes a state of physical and emotional exhaustion due to chronic workplace stress?

Employee burnout.

Which six dimensions commonly define workforce diversity according to the lecture?

Age, gender, race/ethnicity, religion, ability (disabilities), and generational background.

Why might digital communication contribute to employee burnout?

Constant connectivity can blur work–life boundaries, increasing pressure to respond and reducing recovery time.

What are the three main phases of the employment life cycle?

Hiring employees, managing employee retirement, and terminating employment.

What two documents result from job analysis?

A job description (tasks and conditions) and a job specification (qualifications required).

Define turnover rate.

The percentage of the workforce that leaves a company each year.

What is succession planning?

Workforce planning that identifies potential replacements for key employees, typically senior executives.

Who are contingent employees?

Non-permanent workers such as temps, independent contractors, or full-time staff on probationary terms.

Name one alternative work arrangement used to accommodate diverse employee needs.

Flextime (others: telecommuting, job sharing).

What are worker buyouts?

Financial incentives offered to employees who voluntarily leave, usually to reduce payroll costs.

Differentiate termination from layoffs.

Termination is firing for performance reasons; layoffs remove employees for economic/business reasons unrelated to performance.

Explain flextime.

A scheduling system that lets employees choose their work hours within specified limits.

What is job sharing?

An arrangement in which two people split the responsibilities and hours of one full-time position.

List the six steps of the recruiting process outlined in Exhibit 11.5.

1) Assemble candidate pool, 2) Screen candidates, 3) Interview candidates, 4) Compare candidates, 5) Investigate candidates, 6) Make an offer.

During which recruiting step are background checks and reference calls typically performed?

Step 5: Investigate candidates.

Which HR challenge emphasizes the need for both physical and psychological protection at work?

Creating safe workplaces.

Why do companies invest in diversity and inclusion initiatives?

They view diversity not just as a legal requirement but as a strategic opportunity to leverage varied skills and perspectives.

What does the term ‘quality of work life (QWL)’ encompass?

The overall environment created by job and workplace conditions, such as on-site daycare or ergonomic design.