Task-1

Introduction

Human resource management is the function based on which an organization recruits its

employees in the organization and provides them necessary direction to gain the objective of the

organization. Human resource management is the whole process of human related activities in

the workplace such as human resource planning and forecasting, recruiting and selecting,

training and development, orientation activity and motivating employees and finally giving

employees compensation properly to make them motivated in the work place(Dessler, 2011).

Human resource management is the way of developing employee’s skills in the work place in

following proper guidelines and practicing proper human resource management practice. Human

resource management is the process of creation skilled manpower in the work place by involving

them creative and innovative process and making employees more loyal and committed to the

organization fulfilling their desired to the organization.

How the Guest’s model of HRM is adopted at Harrods

Different human resource experts of the world have made their ideas and views about human

resource management of an organization. They also have showed different models and theories

regarding the human resource management of an organization. Basically, maximum theories of

the human resource management are same. Most of the famous models of the human resource

management are- Storey’s shift to HRM model, Guest’s model of hard- soft and Loose- tight

model dimensions and The Harvard model of Human Resource Management (Decenzo &

Robbins, 2010) .

Guest has viewed human resource management of an organization in two ways such as hard- soft

forms of behavior in the organization. These two topics are discussed below-

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The soft model is more employees centered in the work place. It helps to develop the human

resource of an organization. Harrods develops its employee in the work place with the help of

soft model of Guest. This model also helps Harrods to improving proper working environment in

the work place. Harrods maintains its good communication with its employees in the work place

based on the soft model. It also helps the company to maintain long term relationship in the

proper way (Dessler, 2011).. Guest’s soft model of the human resource management sees human

resource as most valuable assets of the organization. For this reason, Harrods invites its

employees in the work place to make organizational decisions.

In the case of hard model of guest that employees should be influenced in the work place to

finish the given task (Decenzo & Robbins, 2010). For this reason, Harrods provides different

attitude in the work place to finish the given assignment. Harrods adopts this process to increase

the sale volume of the company.

Differences between Storey’s definitions of HRM and Personnel and IR

practices by reflecting the HRM practices at Harrods

Human resource management, industrial organization and personal management play almost the

same role to develop human resource in the workplace. Sometimes they have some differences

which are discussed below-

A few of the differences in the center of them are identifies by Storey’s and these are

prearranged below:

Points of differences HRM IR/PM

1. Contract Human resource management

works in other places in the

organization and it is not

restricted only in the contact.

In Harrods personal management

and industrial relationship are

developed strongly.

2. Behavior

referent

Good values are ensured by

Harrods in the work place based

on its human resource

On the other side, industrial

relationship and personal

management is ensured by rules

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management. and regulations of the Harrods

(Decenzo & Robbins, 2010).

3. Guide to

management

achievement

It is considered most important

needs of the Harrods.

Basically, here its needs restricted

to its procedures in the work place.

4. Managerial task Harrods managerial task is to

oversee the task of the work

place.

Generally, Harrods its oversees by

its various departments here

5. Rules and

regulations

The company puts more

importance on its rules and

procedures in the work place.

Here, the company relies on the

mutual working affairs.

6. Relations Superiority of comparative is

unitary.

Nature of kindred is pluralist.

7. Nature of

conflicts

Types of conflicts are avoided. The character of conflicts is

difficult.

8. Initiatives Incorporated initiatives. More and more initiatives.

9. business plan Central point ingredient of the

association.

Superfluous division of the

relationship.

Actions and roles of the organization differs from one another basically various points of view of

the organizational actions.

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Assessing the implications for line managers and employees of developing a

strategic approach to HRM at Harrods

Human resource management is the approach though which an organization can make best use of

its human resource. It helps Harrrods to develop and maintain its working cultures in the

organization and it also helps to create effective working environment in the workplace.

Strategic human resource management of an organization helps to develop skilled employees

through application of proper training and development in the work place to increase their skills

and work related knowledge.

Human resource management of an organization should be given more importance because it’s

the yardstick of an organization. It should be given importance because on the basis of its,

companies bring success in the market.

A number of the implications of HRM for line managers and workforce at Harrods are

given underneath:

1. Improving trust worthy working situation in the work place, it will help the company to

increase its efficiency in the work place and it will easy for the company to increase its

productivity.

2. Proper monitoring system should be developed to increase employees and line mangers

skills in the Harrods.

3. Proper training facility to its employee should be given to increase their efficiency and

effectiveness.

4. Harrods should improve its working situation regarding attitude of the employees. It

should promote good working attitude in the work place.

5. More increasing effectiveness of its employees, the company should develop most

acceptable rules and regulations.

6. Line managers and employees of the Harrods should be provided different work related

guidelines in the work place by top managers.

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Task-2

How model of flexibilitymight be applied which is related with Harrods and

reflecting argument

Work flexibility is considered as most modern concept which provides that organization should

maintain some rules and regulations in the work place tom adjust time and policies with its

employees (Decenzo & Robbins, 2010). Above all, it is provided to help employees to adjust

with their personal life and working life in life. It is done for employee’s benefits. Employees try

to obey these rules and regulations because it is maintained for their betterment.

Example: In Harrods, work flexibility is maintained. It cancels any working schedule if any

team member misses the schedule.

Types of flexibility Which may be developed by Harrods

In the workplace, Harrods can develop its better flexible working relationship by adopting

positive working relationship in the work place-

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1. Flextime: Harrods provides working flexibility in the work place. It provides different

benefits for its employees. This process will provide more positive working relationship in

the work place. It should provide with consultancy of the worker in the work place. It can

offer better operational flexible time in the subsequent ways-

It should provide entry time and leaving time of its employee by taking their

consultancy.

Significant new achievement usual or illustration such as from 9amto 5pm.

Sympathetic change to work in holidays to complete the capable commonplace.

2. Part time work or reduced working time: Harrods can maintain its work flexibility in the

work place by providing employees part time work facility and it can be developed through

the following ways-

35 hours per week, 7 hours whole day in 5 existences.

Separation time service on foundation of hours, employment or weeks.

3. Job sharing: The Company can share its important tasks with its employees and line

managers in the workplace. For example-

One component of organization will work 3 sources of revenue and additional

will 2 existences in a week.

One worker can do 30% and innovative can 70% of an application and

determination get pay small package on the beginning gathering of attempt

relation.

4. Tele work or home work: Harrods can maintain Tele work in the work place. It will provide

the company opportunity to maintain work time at the home of the employee. It will also

provide the company to maintain dual working situation which will provide them opportunity

to maintain happy personal life and working life. So, it is helpful for the Harrods employee

to get Tele work facility in the work place.

Assessment of the use of flexible working practices from both the employee

and the employer perspective of Harrods

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Flexible working practice has both advantages and disadvantages from both the employee and

employer perspective in an organization. To meet the needs of employee’s organizations should

develop flexible working schedule. The management of Harrods should develop flexible work

schedule for its employee that will be beneficial for both the employee and the employer.

Advantages of flexible working practice from the employee perspective: Flexible working

practices may provide the following advantages for the employee of the Harrods-

1. Most important advantage of flexible working practices for employees is maintaining work

life balance.

2. Increased motivation for performance and productivity.

3. Reduced job stress for the employees.

4. Increased feeling of personal control over schedule and work environment.

5. Greater flexibility and independence through personal empowerment and participation.

6. Meeting family needs social and personal obligations.

7. Opportunity for additional income.

8. Reduced employee burnout due to overload.

9. Allowed to work when they accomplish most, feel freshest, and enjoy working.

10. Through participation or engagement employee can share self ideas in decision making.

Disadvantages of flexible working practice from the employee perspective: Despite the

above mentioned advantages flexible working practices has some others disadvantages for the

employee of Harrods which are following-

1. Employees may be exploited by employer in exchange of flexibility.

2. The management of Harrods may neglect employees.

3. Discrimination may take place in opportunities provided by the organization.

4. Employee may have lower participation opportunities in the organizational decision making.

5. Lower income possibility for the employee paid by the organization.

Advantages of flexible working practice from the employer perspective: Flexible working

practices may provide the following advantages for the employer of the Harrods-

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1. Increased employee participation, morale and commitment to the goals of the organization.

2. Reduced absenteeism and turnover of valued employees.

3. Increased ability to recruit and retain skilled employees.

4. Developed images as an employer of choice in the market place.

5. Increased competitiveness with the skilled and committed workforce.

6. Maximum utilization of the efforts of employees by extending operating hours.

7. Reduced level of employee sickness that reduces the costs of the associated absence.

8. Increased employee performance and productivity.

9. Increased employee motivation and job satisfaction.

10. Increased management skills with reduced business costs.

Disadvantages of flexible working practice from the employer perspective: Despite the

above mentioned advantages flexible working practices has some others disadvantages for the

employer of Harrods which are following-

1. Lower employee commitment, performance and productivity.

2. Employee’s skepticism and disruption in organizational culture.

3. Flexibility may allow employees to resist to the organizational change.

4. Increased corruption and workforce inefficiency.

5. Difficulties in controlling and monitoring the performance of employees.

Impacts of changes in labor market on the Flexible Working Practice of

Harrods

The demand and supply of labor, availability of labor, cost of labor, and skill requirement of

labor is changing in the labor market around the worldwide at every moment. Such changes in

labor market have great impacts on the flexible working practices at Harrods (Decenzo &

Robbins, 2010). Some of these changes in the labor market of the UK that affecting flexible

work practices at Harrods are discussed below:

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1. De industrialization: There has been a decline in the relative importance and size of the

manufacturing sector since the early 1980s in the United Kingdom. Therefore it has caused

the following effects that has effects on the flexible working practices:

Reduced full time manufacturing jobs for the employees.

Structural unemployment.

Declining numbers in Trades Unions that ensure employment flexibility.

2. Change in organizational structure: Changes in organizational structure affect flexible

working practices at Harrods. Because of increased layer of management employee being

bored to follow many orders. For this reason Harrods is trying to reduce its layer in

management.

3. Increased relative importance of service sector: Because of the declining in manufacturing

sector, service sector in the UK get more importance. Such increased relative importance of

service sector has impacts on flexible working practices at Harrods which are following-

Less influential trade unions within the organization.

Increased in part time and flexible working hours.

Increased proportion of women employees in the labor force.

4. Increased concern for work life balance of employee: Concern for work life balance

increase employee turnover. So to minimize turnover Harrods should develop flexible

working practices.

5. Increased labor market flexibility: Because of the hyper competition organization should

provide increased flexibility to the employees (Decenzo & Robbins, 2010). Increased labor

market flexibility is the direct result of following-

Globalization and hyper competition.

Governmental policies to promote more flexible labor markets.

Technological advancement.

Increased importance in service sector.

6. Change in skills requirement for specific jobs: Organization requires skilled employees to

compete effectively and efficiently. Because of increased competition for skilled worker

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Harrods is forced to develop flexible working schedule for skilled employees according to

their demands.

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