Aim and purpose
The aim of this unit is to introduce learners to methods of managing human resources in the workplace. Learners will use their knowledge of relevant human resources management theory and link it with current human resource management practices in organisations.
Unit introduction
Human resource management is a dynamic activity in any organisation as it takes place against a changing economic, technical, legal and social background. It is important for learners to appreciate that effective human resource management means getting the best out of the people who work for an organisation in order to ensure the organisation fulfils its purposes, whether it is a football club winning the premiership, or a hospital increasing the success rates for medical operations.
Many organisations say that their employees are their most valuable resource because of their skills, knowledge and attitudes. As labour is both an expensive and valuable resource, it is important to ensure it is planned and that the best value is obtained from employees contributions. Human resource managers have to plan their human resource requirements against a background of internal and external factors which are dynamic and constantly changing. The first part of this unit introduces learners to the factors that influence human resource managers when they are planning current and future human resource requirements. It is important to ensure that once staff have been recruited, their contribution to the organisation is maximised. Learners will develop their understanding of the importance organisations place on gaining the cooperation and commitment of their employees. Managers need to understand how to motivate employees and gain their commitment to the organisation. The unit introduces learners to motivational theory, employee involvement techniques and the role that reward systems can play in gaining commitment from employees. Learners will explore the methods that managers use to measure and manage the performance of their employees.
Learning outcomes
On completion of this unit a learner should:
1 Know the factors that are involved in human resource planning in organisations
2 Know how organisations motivate employees
3 Understand how to gain committed employee cooperation
4 Understand the importance of managing employee performance at work.
