Introduction

People are the key to an organisation’s success this unit will look at the principles of effective Human Resource Management (HRM). This unit will also look at how a business can attract, recruit and retain talented employees. This HRM unit will explore the tools and techniques that are used to maximise
employee engagement for the organisation to have a competitive advantage. You will explore employee training and development, performance and reward management. In addition, you will look at the benefits of a flexible organisation and a flexible labour force. Finally, you will look at the importance of good employee relations looking at strategies to improve employee engagement. You will also gain an understanding of the key legal issues and constraints of employment law.

Assignment Submission Format

Submission will be a PowerPoint Presentation and a management report which covers all of the unit learning outcomes for the unit. The report should be presented in Arial or Times New Roman in font size 12 with single spacing. Use of simple Harvard referencing system should be used throughout your
assignment and a bibliography submitted at the end of your assignment. The recommended word limit is given with the assignment brief, although you will not be penalised for exceeding the total word limit.
The format, structure, and overall presentation of the assignment are expected to be to a professional standard. The assignment should be written in a concise, formal, business style with the use of headings, paragraphs and subsections. The assignment should be saved in Word or PDF format and should include the Brighton School of Business and Management assignment front cover sheet. You have been allocated six weeks for this assignment – please refer to your timetable issued on your enrolment day.

You can submit a draft assignment that should be near-complete to your tutor no later than 7 days before the final assignment deadline date. Following tutor feedback from your draft assignment, you must submit your final version via Moodle no later than the deadline date shown in your timetable.
The final version of your assignment must contain the assignment front sheet. If your final version is deemed a referral, it cannot be re-submitted unless agreed upon at an assessment board meeting.

Learning Outcomes (LO)

LO1 Explain the purpose and scope of Human Resource Management in terms of resourcing an organisation with talent and skills appropriate to fulfil business objectives.

LO2 Evaluate the effectiveness of the key elements of Human Resource Management in an organisation.

LO3 Analyse internal and external factors that affect Human Resource Management decision-making, including employment legislation.

LO4 Apply Human Resource Management practices in a work-related context.

Section 1 – Learning Outcome 1 & 2

LO1 Explain the purpose and scope of Human Resource Management in terms of resourcing an organisation with talent and skills appropriate to fulfil business objectives.

LO2 Evaluate the effectiveness of the key elements of Human Resource Management in an organisation.

Assignment Brief

Students should use their own employment context or that of an organisation they
are very familiar with. For students who are not able to do this, they should use the following scenario.

Scenario

You are employed as a Human Resource Management consultant to a new start-up business in the manufacturing industry that produces electrical components for cars. The owner has asked you to complete a presentation to explain the purpose and scope of Human Resource Management and in particular resourcing the business with employees that have the talent and the skills to fulfil the business objectives.

In addition, you have been asked to evaluate the key elements of Human Resource Management in the organisation.

Assignment Guidance – PowerPoint Presentation

The presentation is a 10 minute PowerPoint Presentation comprising of slides and speaker notes. The presentation will need to keep the audience engaged and should contain headings, bullet points and subsections.

The PowerPoint presentation should include an introduction to the business sector in the scenario or you are employed in or you are very familiar with.

In addition, the PowerPoint presentation should include the following information:

 An explanation of the purpose of Human Resource Management
 An explanation of the key roles and responsibilities of the HR function
 The approach to workforce planning, recruitment and selection, training and development and employee inductions.
 An evaluation of reward management, flexible working practices and performance management to raise productivity in the organisation.

The PowerPoint presentation will include the use of models, frameworks and tools for example:

 Hard and soft models of Human Resource Management (HRM)
 Job Analysis
 Competency Frameworks
 Training Needs Analysis
 Models of a Flexible Organisation
 Performance and Reward Management

Word count guideline: 1,500 – 2,000 words

The PowerPoint Presentation should contain information and detail to cover the assessment criteria and the essential content for this unit. In addition, students should note the command verbs for the assessment criteria. A list to explain the command verbs can be found in the student study guide.

Learning Outcome 1 & 2 and Assessment Criteria

LO1 Explain the purpose and scope of Human Resource Management in terms of resourcing an organisation with talent and skills appropriate to fulfil business objectives.

P1 Explain the purpose and the functions of HRM, applicable to workforce planning and resourcing an organisation.

P2 Explain the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection.

M1 Assess how the functions of HRM can provide talent and skills appropriate to fulfil business objectives

M2 Evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection.

D1 Critically evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of different approaches to recruitment and selection, supported by specific examples.

LO2 Evaluate the effectiveness of the key elements of Human Resource Management in an organisation.

P3 Explain the benefits of different HRM practices within an organisation for both the employer and employee.
P4 Evaluate the effectiveness of different HRM practices in terms of raising organisational profit and productivity.
M3 Explore the different methods used in HRM practices, providing specific examples to support evaluation within an organisational context.
D2 Critically evaluate HRM practices and application within an organisational context, using a range of specific examples.

Section 2 – Learning Outcome 3 & 4

LO3 Analyse internal and external factors that affect Human Resource Management decision-making, including employment legislation.

LO4 Apply Human Resource Management practices in a work-related context.

Assignment Brief – Management Report and Appendix Documents

Students should use their own employment context or that of an organisation they are very familiar with.
For students who are not able to do this, they should use the following scenario.

Scenario

The owner of the car electrical components factory was very impressed with your presentation and has asked you to prepare a management report on the effects of  HRM on decision making and the application of HRM practices.

Assignment Guidance – Management Report and Appendix Documents

The management report should contain the following information.

 How to maintain good employee relations and employee engagement
 An analysis of employee relations when influencing HRM decision making
 Identify the key elements of employment legislation
 An explanation of the recruitment and selection procedure
 An evaluation of why it is important to follow HR practices

In addition, the management report should contain information on the following as added appendices documents.

 An illustration of a recruitment and selection process
 A job description and person specification for an electrical assembly operative OR a position of your choice
 A sample of a CV for an employee applying for the position electrical assembly operative OR a position of your choice
 Interview questions for an electrical assembly operative OR a position of your choice
 A sample job offer letter for the position of an electrical assembly operative OR a position of your choice

The management report and appendices should be written in a concise, formal, business style with the use of headings, paragraphs and subsections. The management report and appendices should contain information and detail to cover the assessment criteria and the essential content for this unit. In addition
students should note the command verbs for the assessment criteria. A list to explain the command verbs can be found in the student study guide.

Learning Outcome 3 & 4 and Assessment Criteria

LO3 Analyse internal and external factors that affect Human Resource Management decision-making, including employment legislation.

P5 Analyse the importance of employee relations in respect to influencing HRM decision making.

P6 Identify the key elements of employment legislation and the impact it has upon HRM decision making.

M4 Evaluate the key aspects of employee relations management and employment legislation that affect HRM decision-making in an organisational context.

LO4 Apply Human Resource Management practices in a work-related context.

P7 Illustrate the application of HRM practices in a work-related context, using
specific examples.
M5 Provide a rationale for the application of specific HRM practices in a work-related
context.

LO3 & 4

D3 Critically evaluate employee relations and the application of HRM practices that inform and influence decision-making in an organisational context.

Word count guideline: 2,000 – 2,500 words excluding appendices, although you will not be penalised for exceeding the total word limit.

To assist you with this process there are study guides for each of the learning outcomes. Where ever possible you should use practical examples to demonstrate your understanding of the subject.

Delivery

Delivery is by self-study, online distance learning, with email and telephone support available from your Personal Tutor.
Guidance and advice on study techniques can be found on Moodle and can be given by your Personal Tutor.

Guidance and advice on unit assignments can be found on Moodle.

Your Personal Tutor will also give you advice and guidance on format, structure, content, and give feedback on one draft per assignment.

Guidance on Grade Awarded

The final unit grade assessment is based on how well you have met the learning outcomes and assessment criteria. We look primarily for evidence that you have followed the assignment “instructions” and have responded to the assignment in a way that meets the specific outcomes/requirements/criteria.

We also look at the depth and breadth of your work: where we look for evidence of supplementary reading and research, appropriate examples, some “original” thought, a professional standard of layout, structure, and overall presentation in order to come to a decision about the actual grade.
Assessment guidance for the unit can be found on the Pearson website as below:

https://qualifications.pearson.com/en/qualifications/btec-higher-nationals/business-
2016.course materials.html#filterQuery=Pearson-UK:Category%2FSpecification.