3.6 Human Resource Management

What is NOT an example of a HR objective?

• Increase employee engagement

• Improve awareness of a businesses core values

• Increase profit

• Increase diversity of employees in the workplace

Answer explanation

Increasing profit is a financial objective, not an HR objective. HR objectives focus on employee-related goals like engagement, awareness of values, and diversity.

Which is a soft approach to HR

• Having a tall organisation structure

• Motivation focusing on financial methods

• Minimal communication

• A focus on job satisfaction

Answer explanation

A focus on job satisfaction is a soft approach to HR as it emphasizes employee well-being and engagement, contrasting with rigid structures and financial motivation methods that can overlook personal fulfillment.

Which is an organisational structure arranged by geographic area?

• Product based

• Functional

• Regional

• Matrix

Answer explanation

The correct answer is 'Regional' as it refers to an organizational structure that is arranged by geographic area, focusing on specific regions rather than products or functions.

Which is a financial method of motivation staff?

• Piece rate

• Flexible working

• Job rotation

• Job enrichment

Answer explanation

Piece rate is a financial method of motivation where employees are paid based on the amount of work they produce. This incentivizes higher productivity, making it a direct financial motivator compared to the other options.

What is an example of a soft approach to HR?

• Suits autocratic leadership styles

• Motivation focuses on financial methods

• Flatter organisational structure

• Minimal communication mainly from top down

Answer explanation

A flatter organisational structure promotes collaboration and open communication, which aligns with a soft approach to HR. This contrasts with autocratic styles and top-down communication, making it the correct choice.

What is the formula to work out labour productivity?

• Total output per time period / Total number of staff

• Labour costs / Output

• Labour costs/ Turnover x 100

• No of staff leaving / Average no of staff x 100

Answer explanation

The correct formula for labour productivity is 'Total output per time period / Total number of staff'. This measures how efficiently staff are producing output over a specific time frame.

What is an advantage of a centralised structure?

• Improved staff motivation

• Consistent with aiming for a flatter hierarchy

• Good way of training and developing junior management

• Usually quicker decision making

Answer explanation

A centralised structure allows for quicker decision making as fewer individuals are involved in the process, leading to faster responses and actions compared to more decentralized systems.

What is job enrichment?

• Movement of employees through a range of jobs

• Adding new tasks to employees existing roles

• Group of individuals working together towards a collective goal

• The amount, timing or location of employees work varies

Answer explanation

Job enrichment involves adding new tasks to an employee's existing role, enhancing their responsibilities and engagement. This contrasts with other options that do not specifically define job enrichment.

What is a typical objective of HR

• Decrease costs

• Increase prices

• Increase staff members

• Decrease staff members

Answer explanation

A typical objective of HR is to increase staff members to meet organizational needs and support growth. This choice aligns with HR's role in recruitment and workforce planning.

What is a trade union?

• A group within the workforce

• External organisation that protects workers rights

• A body of workers who are angry

• A group of workers who don't want to work

Answer explanation

A trade union is an external organization that protects workers' rights, advocating for better working conditions, wages, and benefits. The other options do not accurately describe the purpose or function of a trade union.