Assignment 1

Human resource management discussion questions

INSTRUCTIONS:

• Respond to ANY four questions below on a new, blank word processing document (such as MS Word).
• Develop each answer to the fullest extent possible, discussing the nuances of each topic and presenting your arguments logically.
• In addition, include citations from the class content resources in weeks 1- 4 to support your arguments.
  • Each answer should be robust and developed in-depth.
  • You are expected to demonstrate critical thinking skills, as well as an understanding of the issues identified. Some questions may also require personal reflection and practical application. Your responses will be evaluated for content as well as grammar and punctuation.
  • All writing must be your original work. PLEASE do not copy or quote anything. Sources are just that, a reference. Once you locate the information, read and interpret the data. What does it mean to you? Type your own thoughts and own words. Then, include in-text citations to support your ideas. This is not a research paper. 

FORMAT:

o    Include a Cover Page with Name, Date, and Title of Assignment.

• Do not include the original question, only the question number.
• Each response should be written in complete sentences, double-spaced and spell-checked. Use 12-point Times New Roman font with 1-inch margins on all sides. Include page numbers according to APA formatting guidelines.
• In addition, you will want to include citations in APA format at the end of each answer. Include a minimum of 3 references for each answer.

Question 6:

1. A)Identify two jobs you have held and share how you were recruited for each of them. Discuss in some detail, the organization’s perspective. What were some pros and cons of recruiting you through these methods?
2. B)Evaluate your organization’s recruiting and selection processes. Be specific. How would you measure the effectiveness of these processes?  Think in terms of reliability, validity, and legal compliance.

Question 7:

Some organizations follow a lengthy, complex selection process, whereas in other organizations the process may be more streamlined. Some may view the longer and more complex selection process to be more valid.

1. A) What are the advantages and disadvantages of using a lengthier process versus a more streamlined one?Consider the perspectives of both the job seekers and the organization and the tradeoffs between efficiency and effectiveness.  As a job seeker, what process would you prefer to follow and why?
2. B) Consider the selection process for an organization where you were ultimately hired.How would you describe the process from a candidate perspective?  Do you believe it was effective? Why or why not?

Question 8:

Consider a job you currently have or have held in the past.

1. A) Perform a job analysis on that job.What tasks are required?  What knowledge, skills, and abilities are necessary to perform those tasks?
2. B) Prepare a job description based on your analysis.
3. C) Assuming the role of a human resource manager, how does a job analysis help protect the organization from legal issues? How can a job analysis be used to support recruiting and compensation decisions?

Question 9:

1. A)Why is retention such a major focus for human resource managers?  How does focusing on retention add strategic value to the organization?
2. B)How would you go about developing a retention program for your organization? Be specific in terms of what steps you would you take.  What might be some of your biggest challenges? What type of metrics would you need to obtain and what methods would you use?

Question 10:

1. A)How are motivation and engagement related to employee retention?  What is the difference between job satisfaction and employee engagement? What factors (personal, organizational) might contribute to job satisfaction and engagement? Explain your answer.
2. B)Think about a job where you have been employed for many years. What factors influenced your job satisfaction?  What factors influenced your decision to stay and why? Consider a job where you had a short tenure.  What factors influenced your job dissatisfaction?  What factors contributed to your resignation and what factors could have made you stay?  Which were within the organization’s control?

Question 11:

1. A)Discuss the interrelationships between recruiting, selection and retention.  Why is it important to consider retention in the selection process? How would you evaluate your recruiting and selection programs to determine the impact on employee retention? What metrics would you use?
2. B)Consider your organization or one where you have been recently employed. What are some strategies used by human resource managers to retain employees?  Are they effective?  Why or why not?

Question 12:

1. A)Assume you are the HR manager of a large organization tasked with evaluating employee retention.  What type of metrics would you want to look at?  How would you use the HRIS to obtain these metrics?
2. B)Discuss the relationship between an organization’s total rewards strategy and retention.  As a human resource  manager, how would you evaluate your total rewards program to make sure it was having a positive impact on employee retention?

Answer preview

One of the jobs that I have recently held was when I worked as a sales representative in one of the small and upcoming banks around our town. I was recruited for this position through an employment agency where I had used its database to post my preferred job. The bank recruited me through the database from the details that I had provided to the employment agency. My second job was when I worked as a cashier for the same bank. I was recruited into the bank…

 

(2050 words)