EHRM1514 – ONLINE ASSIGNMENT 1: STUDENT INSTRUCTIONS

Dear student

The purpose of assignment 1 is for you, your group members, and your tutor to get to know each other
better. You will have to start communicating with your group members and provide them with constructive
and supportive feedback. You will be expected to make meaningful contributions based on the questions
that you are provided with.

INSTRUCTIONS FOR ASSIGNMENT 1

A final assignment (‘Word’ document) must be uploaded on Blackboard in the assignment link
called: Assignment 1

Section A:

Question 1 (3 marks)

1. Introduce yourself to your tutor and the group.

1.2 Tell the group and your tutor what your dream job is and also why human resource management is
relevant to your specific field of study.

• E.g. My name is … and HR is relevant to Public Administration because it … (reason)

Section B:
Question 2 (22 marks)

2.1 History of HRM: 3 Approaches (12 marks)

Human resource management has changed a lot in the past 100 years. In the past, people in
organisations were managed according to different approaches, namely, the scientific management
approach, the human relations approach as well as the human resources approach.
• Identify the underlying principles of each of the three approaches to HRM.
• Debate the strengths and weaknesses of each approach.
• Which approach would be relevant to your respective field of study? Could it be implemented for
businesses today? Provide reasons why.
 2.1.1 Scientific Management

2.1.2 Human Relations Approach

2.1.3 Human Resources Approach

3.3 HR Functions and Legislation (Combine these two activities)

3.3 HR functions and the law
2.2 Statutory employment laws (10 marks)

You have recently been appointed as the HR manager of a company in South Africa. As an HR manager,
it is important to maintain good employment relationships. Employment relations in South Africa are
governed by a comprehensive legislative framework. This is the system of laws that control and give
structure to the relationships in the work environment. Your first assignment is to complete the table below
by linking the different HR functions with the correct labour laws. You would then have to prepare a word
document for the board of directors of your company.

Please allow for 30 minutes for discussions within the small groups. After the discussions have
taken place, allow the students 5 minutes to present their findings to the tutor.
HR Section: Law

• Human Resource Management in Context

• What is human resource management?
• Human resource role players
• Ethics in human resource management

• The Employee at Work

• Workforce planning
• Talent acquisition

• Developing Employees
• Performance management and
evaluation
• Learning and development
• Leadership and management

• Retaining Employees
• Talent management and retention
• Rewarding and recognising employees

• Employee Care
• Employee safety
• Workplace wellness
• Employee relations

Total: 25 Marks