BOUKROUH ABDALLAH / HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

Lesson one: HRM functions

Human Resource Management is a management function concerned with hiring,

motivating, and maintaining the workforce in an organization. HRM deals with issues
related to employees such as hiring, training, development, compensation, motivation,
communication, and administration. HRM ensures the satisfaction of employees and a
maximum contribution of employees to the achievement of organizational objectives.

According to Armstrong (1997), HRM can be defined as “a strategic approach to

acquiring, developing, managing, motivating and gaining the commitment of the
organisation’s key resource – the people who work in and for it.”

HRM functions can be classified into the following three categories: Managerial
Functions, Operative Functions, and Advisory Functions

The Managerial Functions of HRM are as follows:

1. HR Planning - In this function of HRM, the number and type of employees needed
to accomplish organizational goals is determined. Research is an important part of this
function, information is collected and analysed to identify current and future human
resource needs and to forecast changing values, attitude, and behaviour of employees
and their impact on the company.

2. Organizing - In organization tasks are allocated among its members, relationships

are identified, and activities are integrated towards a common objective. Relationships
are established among the employees so that they can collectively contribute to the
attainment of the organization's goal.

3. Directing - Activating employees at different levels and making them contribute

maximum to the organization is possible through proper direction and motivation.
Taping the maximum potentialities of the employees is possible through motivation
and command.

4. Controlling After planning, organizing, and directing, employees' actual

performance is checked, verified, and compared with the plans. If the actual prfrc is
found deviated from the plan, control measures are required to be taken.
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The Operative Functions of HRM are as follows:

1. Recruitment and Selection - Recruitment of candidates is the function preceding

the selection, which brings the pool of prospective candidates for the company so that
the management can select the right candidate from this pool.

2. Job Analysis and Design - Job analysis is the process of describing the nature of a
job and specifying the human requirements like qualification, skills, and work
experience to perform that job. Job design aims at outlining and organizing tasks,
duties, and responsibilities into a single unit of work for the achievement of certain
objectives.

3. Performance Appraisal - HR professionals are required to perform this function to

ensure that the performance of employees is at an acceptable level.

4. Training and Development - This function of HRM helps employees acquire skills
and knowledge to perform their jobs effectively. Training and development programs
are organized for both new and existing employees. Employees are prepared for
higher-level responsibilities through training and development.

5. Wage and Salary Administration - HRM determines what is to be paid for

different types of jobs. HRM decides employee's compensation which includes - wage
administration, salary administration, incentives, bonuses, fringe benefits,

6. Employee Welfare - This function refers to various services, benefits, and facilities
that are provided to employees for their well-being.

7. Maintenance - HR is considered an asset for the organization. Employee turnover

is not considered good for the organization. HRM always tries to keep their best
performing employees.

8. Labour Relations - This function refers to HRM interaction with employees

represented by a trade union. Employees come together and form a union to obtain
more voice in decisions affecting wage, benefits, working conditions, etc,

9. Personnel Research - Personnel researches are done by HRM to gather employees'

opinions on wages and salaries, promotions, working conditions, welfare activities,
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leadership, etc, such researches help in understanding employee satisfaction, employee

turnover, employee termination,

10. Personnel Record - This function involves recording, maintaining, and retrieving
employee-related information like - application forms, employment history, working
hours, earnings, employee absents and presents, employee turnover, and other data
related to employees.

Read the text carefully and be ready to answer

1. Answer these questions:

a) What does HRM ensure?

b) How many function categories of HRM?

c) In which function employee’s performance will be checked?

d) Who comes first recruiting or selection?

e) In which function Employees are prepared for higher-level responsibilities?

f) How can employees defend their rights and working conditions?

2. Match the terms with their definitions or expressions:

1. a strategic approach a) controlling

2. Managerial, operative, advisory
3. Planning, organising, directing,
controlling
4. actual performance is checked
5. Describing a nature of a job
6. Operative HRM functions
b) Job analysis
c) Recruitment, job analysis, salaries
wages, performance appraisal …..
d) Human resource M
e) Managerial HRM functions
f) HRM functions categories
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3. Fill in the gaps with the following words:

beginning - measure - improvement - effectiveness - influence -
administrative
How can…….......…happen without the right tools to measure
HR……………? As with many other areas of business, this profession also
needs to be able to ………. results in terms of transaction management, as
well as in terms of the positive …………on business. “Utilizing metrics to
determine effectiveness is the …………. of a shift from perceiving HR’s
role as purely an ………………function to viewing the HR team as a true
strategic partner within the organization.

4. Match the antonyms of the words in the left

Disinterested Penalty
Hiring Irresponsibility
motivating Liberate
Development Failure
Compensation Concerned
Satisfaction Misguide
Commitment Decline
Directing Disappointment
Command Dismiss
Performance Discourage

5. Are these statements true or false?

• Trade union ensures the satisfaction of employees and a maximum
contribution of employees to the achievement of organizational objectives.
• planning can be classified into the following three categories: Managerial
Functions, Operative Functions, and Advisory Functions.
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• Controlling is activating employees at different levels and making them

contribute maximum to the organization.
• Job analysis is the process of describing the nature of a job and specifying
the human requirements like qualification.
• Training and development programs are organized just for new employees.
• Employee Welfare - This function refers to various services, benefits, and
facilities.

6. Give synonyms from the text to these words:

• Persuade = ……………….
• Kipping = ……………………
• negotiate = ……………….………
• indemnity = ……………………
• coaching = ……………………………
• evolution = ……………………………
• contentment = ……………….
• Achieve = ……………………
• Anticipate = ……………….………
• Attitude = ……………………