Name four functions of a human resource department.

Four functions are workforce planning, recruitment and selection, training and development, and appraisal. Each function aims to put capable people into the right jobs.

Why does a growing business usually create a separate human resource department?

A growing business employs too many people for line managers to handle personnel work alone. A specialist department brings consistency and legal expertise to how staff are treated.

Why do many small businesses have no human resource department?

A small business employs few people, so the owner handles recruitment and pay personally. The cost of a specialist department cannot be justified at that size.

What is meant by hard human resource management?

Hard human resource management treats employees as a resource to be used as efficiently as any other. Pay is kept low, contracts are short and control sits firmly with managers.

Eduqas A-Level Business A510QS

Enterprise, Business Plans and Location

Topic overview Enterprise, entrepreneurs and SMEs Needs, wants and spotting a business opportunity The role of the entrepreneur in setting up and running a business Financial and non-financial motives of entrepreneurs Characteristics and skills of entrepreneurs Entrepreneurs, SMEs and the sectors of the UK economy Stakeholders and their interests Business plans and sources of advice Choosing a business location

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Marketing and the Marketing Mix

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Financial Planning and Accounts

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People in Organisations

Topic overview The role of the human resource department The flexible workforce New technology and changing working patterns Workforce planning The recruitment process, job analysis and job descriptions Internal and external recruitment Methods of selecting employees Methods of training The value of training to a business Appraisal and its methods Measuring workforce performance Organisational structures and the chain of command Delegation, empowerment and delayering

Motivation, Management and Employee Relations

Topic overview Motivation and the benefits of a motivated workforce Taylor and scientific management Mayo and the Hawthorne studies Maslow's hierarchy of needs Herzberg's two factor theory Expectancy theories of Vroom, Porter and Lawler Financial methods of motivation Non-financial methods of motivation Management, management by objectives and Theory X and Y Leadership and leadership styles Leadership theories and choosing a style Employment rights, contracts and equal opportunities Trade unions, industrial conflict and dispute resolution

Operations Management

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Data and Market Analysis

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Analysing Business Performance

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People in Organisations

The role of the human resource department

3 things to know
Component 1

Overview

Human resource management, human resource department responsible for in a business and four functions of a human resource department.

What you need to know

Answer each one before you reveal it.

Your recallNot started

Key term

What is human resource management, and what does the department cover?

Key term

What is meant by human resource management?

Key term

What is the human resource department responsible for in a business?

Questions from this subtopic

Each one with the model answer underneath.

1
What is meant by human resource management?
Model answer
Human resource management is the planning, organisation and control of everything to do with a business's employees. The aim is to get the best from people at an acceptable cost.
2
What is the human resource department responsible for in a business?
Model answer
The human resource department manages the people a business employs. The work runs from recruitment and training through to pay, welfare and dismissal.
3
Name four functions of a human resource department.
Model answer
Four functions are workforce planning, recruitment and selection, training and development, and appraisal. Each function aims to put capable people into the right jobs.
4
Why does a growing business usually create a separate human resource department?
Model answer
A growing business employs too many people for line managers to handle personnel work alone. A specialist department brings consistency and legal expertise to how staff are treated.
5
Why do many small businesses have no human resource department?
Model answer
A small business employs few people, so the owner handles recruitment and pay personally. The cost of a specialist department cannot be justified at that size.
6
What is meant by hard human resource management?
Model answer
Hard human resource management treats employees as a resource to be used as efficiently as any other. Pay is kept low, contracts are short and control sits firmly with managers.

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