Business-Human resources

What is the purpose of Human Resources (HR) in a business?

The purpose of HR is to ensure that the business has the right employees with the right skills, and that these employees are motivated, trained, and managed effectively to meet business objectives.

What is an organisational structure?

An organisational structure defines how job roles, responsibilities, authority, and communication are arranged within a business. It shows the hierarchy and how employees are grouped.

Why do businesses have internal organisational structures?

Businesses have organisational structures to define clear job roles, improve communication, ensure efficient decision-making, and clarify authority and responsibility.

What is span of control?

Span of control refers to the number of employees a manager is responsible for

what does a wide span of control mean

A wider span of control means more employees per manager,

What does a narrower span of control mean

a narrower span means fewer employees.

What are the advantages of a wide span of control?

• Faster decision-making due to fewer management layers.

• less managers means lower costs

• gives employees a chance for independence

What are the disadvantages of a wide span of control?

• Managers may struggle to provide sufficient attention to all employees.

• Increased pressure on managers to supervise more people.

What are the advantages of a narrow span of control?

• Managers can give more individual attention and supervision.

• Clearer control and better guidance for employees, so less mistakes so business is more efficient
  

• more promotion opportunites which motivates staff

What are the disadvantages of a narrow span of control?

• Slower decision-making due to more management layers.

• Higher costs due to more managers.

What is the chain of command?

The chain of command is the formal line of authority in an organisation, showing who reports to whom. It ensures clear communication and decision-making.

What is delayering?

Delayering is the process of removing layers of management to flatten an organisational structure

benefits of delayering

reduce costs and improve communication.

What is delegation?

Delegation is the process of giving responsibility and authority to employees to carry out specific tasks, helping managers focus on higher-level responsibilities.

What are the pros of delegation?

• Frees up managers to focus on strategic tasks.

• Empowers employees and can improve morale and motivation.

What are the cons of delegation?

• Managers may feel they lose control over tasks.

• Employees may feel overwhelmed if not adequately supported.

What is decentralisation?

Decentralisation refers to giving decision-making authority to lower levels of the organisation rather than centralising all decisions at the top.

What are the advantages of decentralisation?

• Faster decision-making at lower levels.

• Encourages employees to take responsibility and initiative.

What are the disadvantages of decentralisation?

• Lack of control at the top level.

• Can lead to inconsistent decisions across different departments or branches.

What is centralisation?

Centralisation refers to decision-making being concentrated at the top of the organisation, with lower levels of the organisation having limited decision-making power

What are the advantages of centralisation?

• Consistency in decision-making across the business.

• Easier to implement company-wide strategies

What are the disadvantages of centralisation?

• Slower decision-making.

• Employees may feel less empowered and motivated.

Why is recruitment needed in a business?

Recruitment is needed to fill job vacancies created by business growth, turnover, or new roles, ensuring the business has the right workforce to meet its objectives

What is the difference between internal and external recruitment?

Internal recruitment involves hiring from within the company, while external recruitment seeks candidates from outside the business.

What are the benefits of internal recruitment?

Benefits include lower costs, faster hiring, improved employee morale, and the assurance that the candidate understands the company culture.

What are the benefits of external recruitment?

Benefits include bringing in fresh ideas, a wider talent pool, and the ability to fill skills gaps that don’t exist internally.

what are the negatives to internal recruitement

-limits number of applicants

-creates new vacancy

-no new ideas introduced

what are the negatives to external recruitment

-longer

-more expensive

What are the main stages of the recruitment and selection process?

The stages include job analysis, creating a job description and person specification, advertising the role, shortlisting candidates, interviewing, and offering the job

What is job analysis?

Job analysis is the process of identifying and documenting the specific tasks, responsibilities, and qualifications required for a job role.

What is a job description?

A job description outlines the tasks, responsibilities, and expectations for a particular role in the company.

What is a person specification?

A person specification lists the qualifications, skills, experience, and personal attributes needed to perform the job effectively.

What are the different types of employment contracts?
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Types of contracts include full-time, part-time, zero-hour contracts, job share, and temporary contracts.

What is the difference between part-time and full-time contracts?

Full-time contracts typically require 35-40 hours of work per week, whereas part-time contracts involve fewer hours

What is a zero-hour contract?

A zero-hour contract does not guarantee any set number of hours; employees work only when required by the employer.

Why is employee motivation important?

Motivated employees are more productive, committed, and engaged, which can lead to improved business performance, lower turnover, and better customer service

What are financial methods of motivation?

Financial methods include salary, wages, bonuses, commissions, profit-sharing, and other financial incentives designed to reward employees for their performance

What are the pros of financial methods of motivation?

• Tangible rewards that employees value.

• Can drive performance and sales

What are the cons of financial methods of motivation?

• Can be expensive for the business, especially if not tied to actual performance.

what is a wage

an hourly amount set paid weekly or monthly based on hours worked

what is a salary

a set fixed amount for they year normally paid monthly

What are non-financial methods of motivation?

Non-financial methods include job enrichment, recognition, increased responsibility, career development opportunities, and flexible working arrangements

What are the pros of non-financial methods of motivation?

• Can improve employee satisfaction and engagement without costing the company.

• Fosters a sense of belonging and loyalty.

What are the cons of non-financial methods of motivation?

• May not be as immediately motivating as financial rewards.

• Can be perceived as insufficient if not paired with financial rewards.

Why is training important for businesses?

Training improves employee skills, increases productivity, helps employees adapt to new technology, and leads to better job satisfaction and retention.

What are the types of training businesses provide?

Types of training include induction training, on-the-job training, and off-the-job training.

what are the benefits of training employees for a business

increased productivity,

ability to deal with changes in technology,

increased motivation,

staff retention,

production of high quality goods

good customer service

What are the benefits of induction training?

: Benefits include faster integration into the company, reduced errors, better understanding of company culture, and improved employee morale.

What are the disadvantages of induction training?

• Can be time-consuming for employees and managers.

• Some new employees may feel overwhelmed with information overload.

• Limited focus on specific job skills; more focused on company orientation.

What is on-the-job training?

On-the-job training takes place while the employee is working and involves learning by doing, often with guidance from a supervisor or more experienced colleague.

What are the advantages of on-the-job training?

• Lower cost compared to off-the-job training.

• Immediate application of learning.

• Learning in a real-world context.

What are the disadvantages of on-the-job training?

• Potential distractions in the workplace.

• Quality of training may depend on the skills of the supervisor.

• Not enough time to focus on developing other skills.

What is off-the-job training?

Off-the-job training involves learning that takes place outside of the normal work environment, such as workshops, seminars, or formal courses.

What are the advantages of off-the-job training?

• Expert trainers and resources.

• Employees focus solely on learning without distractions.

• Exposure to a broader range of ideas and methods.

What are the disadvantages of off-the-job training?

• More expensive due to costs associated with courses and travel.

• Employees may not apply the new skills immediately.

• Time away from work can lead to reduced productivity.