Course Resources Archive

Organisations can only function if they are able to assemble together teams of people with the necessary skills, attitudes and experience to meet their objectives. A further objective is then to retain effective performers. This involves actively seeking to manage the performance and contribution of organisational members. Exit from organisations, both voluntary and otherwise, must also be considered As the skills that employers seek become more specialised, employment markets have tightened, leading to increased complexity. This is reflected in an increased number of considerations such as diversity management, employer branding, work–life balance initiatives and innovative approaches to job design.

This module considers a variety of activities, aimed at managing human resources. It covers the practical aspects of recruitment, selection, retention, performance management and dismissal.  Furthermore it examines knowledge and skills required for resourcing and talent management within a global context.

1. Ways in which employment markets vary and the implications for organisations; current and future demand and supply of skills; identifying and assessing the role of employment market competitors; key national and international employment market and demographic trends.
2. Ensuring that the organisation remains competitive in its major employment markets having regard to organisational objectives, resource constraints and the need to enhance flexibility; positioning an organisation in the market; work–life balance initiatives, employer branding exercises, setting terms and conditions, job analysis and design, flexible working; managing skills shortages; managing diversity; ethical working practices.
3. Critical analysis of the major methods used in recruiting and selecting people in national and international settings; efficient recruitment administration; job advertising, employment agencies, education liaison; reliability and validity of different selection methods; psychometric testing, selection interviewing, assessment centres; design and delivery of timely and effective staff induction.
4. Reconciling demand for and supply of skills; workforce planning, scenario planning, succession planning; enhancing functional and numerical flexibility; outsourcing, subcontracting and using external consultants.
5. Measuring, recording and analysing turnover data, diagnosing the principal drivers of unwanted turnover; developing, operationalising and evaluating actions aimed at increasing employee retention.
6. Managing poor performance: absenteeism; discipline and dismissal; grievance procedures; legal and ethical considerations.
7. Understanding of how to manage the release of employees efficiently, ethically and lawfully; professional practice in disciplinary procedure, redundancy selection and severance compensation; pre-retirement planning and training; phased retirement; legal restraints and rights.

On completion of this module students will be able to:

1. Analyse and evaluate the major features of national and international employment markets from which organisations source staff and ways in which these markets evolve or change.
2. Play a leading role in the development and evaluation of resourcing and talent management strategies, diversity management and flexible working initiatives.
3. Manage recruitment, selection and induction activities effectively, efficiently, lawfully and professionally.
4. Undertake and evaluate long- and short-term talent planning and succession planning exercises with a view to building long-term organisational performance.
5. Gather, analyse and use information on employee turnover and absence as the basis for developing robust staff retention and attendance strategies.
6. Critically evaluate and deconstruct the practice of discipline, dismissal and grievance procedures including the legal and ethical considerations.
7. Manage retirement and redundancy practices fairly, efficiently and in accordance with the expectations of the law, ethical and professional practice.

Staff/student contact – 30 hours
Student directed learning – 120 hours as directed by tutors/module guide

The Library Catalogue contains full details of the current reading list for this module. Further details may also be found in the Module Guide.