BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business

Unit 3: Human Resource Management

Centre Code: 01018

ASSIGNMENT BRIEF

Unit 3: Human Resource Management

BTEC Higher National Certificate in

Business
Centre Code: 01018

Unit 3: Human Resource Management Page 1 of 13

 BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business
Unit 3: Human Resource Management
Centre Code: 01018

QUALIFICATION: PEARSON BTEC HNC IN BUSINESS

Unit 3: Human Resource Management
Unit code: R/508/0487 Unit type: Core
Unit level: 4 Credit value: 15
TQT: 150
Assessor / Tutor: Internal Verifier: Muhammad Ismail
Assignment Approval Date: 22/07/2020 Date issued to Students: 07/09/2020
Draft Submission Date: 25/10/2020
Final Submission Date: 13/12/2020
Aims & Objectives of the Assignment
The aim of this unit is to enable students to appreciate and apply principles of effective Human
Resource Management (HRM). People are the lifeblood of any organisation and being able to
attract, recruit and retain talented staff is at the core of all HRM activity. This unit will explore the
tools and techniques used in HRM to maximise the employee contribution and how to use HR
methods to gain competitive advantage. Students will explore the importance of training and
development in building and extending the skills base of the organisation and ensuring it is relevant
to the ever-changing business environment. Students will also consider the growing importance of
becoming a flexible organisation with an equally flexible labour force, and become familiar with
techniques of job design and with different reward systems.
Learning Outcomes

The unit investigates the importance of good employee relations and the ways in which employers
engage with their staff and possibly with trade unions. Students will gain an understanding of the
law governing HRM processes as well as the best practices which enable an employer to become an
employer of choice’ in their labour market.
By the end of this unit a student will be able to:
 Explain the purpose and scope of Human Resource Management in terms of resourcing an
organisation with talent and skills appropriate to fulfill business objectives.
 Evaluate the effectiveness of the key elements of Human Resource Management in an
organisation.
 Analyse internal and external factors that affect Human Resource Management decision-
making, including employment legislation.
 Apply Human Resource Management practices in a work-related context.

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BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business
Unit 3: Human Resource Management
Centre Code: 01018

Essential Unit Contents

LO1: Explain the purpose and scope of Human Resource Management in
terms of resourcing an organisation with talent and skills appropriate to
fulfil business objectives
The nature and scope of HRM:
 Definitions of HRM.
 What are the main functions and activities of H.R.M?
 The ‘Best Fit’ approach vs ‘Best Practice’.
 The hard and soft models of HRM.
 Workforce planning.
 Types of labour market, labour market trends and PESTLE.
 The internal labour market.
 Analysing turnover, stability and retention.
 The impact of legal and regulatory frameworks.
 The impact that advances in technology have had upon improving the efficiency of HR
practices.
Recruitment:
 Sources of recruitment: internal vs external recruitment.
 Job analysis, job descriptions, personal specifications and competency frameworks.
Selection:
 Main methods of selection: strengths and weaknesses of each. Reliability and validity as key
criteria.
On-boarding and induction:
 The issues affecting successful induction and socialisation of employees.

LO2: Evaluate the effectiveness of the key elements of Human

Resource Management in an organisation
Learning, development and training:
 Differentiating development and training.
 Identifying training needs − the training gap.
 Types of training & evaluation of training.

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BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business
Unit 3: Human Resource Management
Centre Code: 01018

Essential Unit Contents

Job and workplace design:
 Reward management: extrinsic and intrinsic rewards from work.
 The link between motivational theory and reward.
 Series of job design-job extension techniques.
The flexible organisation:
 Types of flexibility: numerical, structural and functional flexibility.
 Models of flexible organisations (e.g. Handy, Atkinson).
 Flexible working options in modern organisations.
 Benefits to employers and benefits to employees of flexible working practices.
Performance and reward:
 Performance management and methods used to monitor employee performance.
 Types of payment and reward system.
 Methods of a determination.

LO3: Analyse internal and external factors that affect Human

Resource Management decision-making, including employment
legislation
Employee relations:
 Maintaining good employee relations.
 Strategies for building and improving employee relations and engagement.
Employee relations and the law:
 The purpose of employment law.
 Key legal issues and constraints (e.g. equality, data protection, health and safety,
redundancy, dismissal, employment contracts).
 Ethical and social responsibilities.
Trade unions and workplace representation:
 The role of trade unions − local/national.
 Collective agreements.
 Discipline, grievances and redundancy − best practice.

Essential Unit Contents

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BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business
Unit 3: Human Resource Management
Centre Code: 01018

LO4: Apply Human Resource Management practices in a work-related

context
Job and person specifications:
 Preparing job specifications and person specifications applicable to the recruitment context
and needs of the organisations, taking into account legislation and company policies.
Recruitment and selection in practice:
 The impact of technology on improving the recruitment and selection process; the use of
online resources, digital platforms and social networking.
 Designing and placing job advertisements.
 Short listing and processing applications.
 Interviewing preparation and best practice.
 Selection best practice.

Vocational Scenario

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BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business
Unit 3: Human Resource Management
Centre Code: 01018

As a newly appointed Human Resource Manager for an organisation of your choice, you have
been tasked with leading on the restructuring of the department as part of organisational
change.
The Human Resources (HR) department will be restructured based on the findings of a review
report, which you have been asked to complete. You are to review the effectiveness of the HR
function within the organisation, researching the role and scope of HR and reviewing and
assessing the main HR functions within the organisation. This has to be submitted as a case
study report.
Part1:
Prepare a case study assessment report to cover the followings. Use appropriate report format
with an introduction at the beginning, main body with headings and sub-headings and
conclusion at the end. A cover page and table of contents page would also be required. Your
research should be referenced using the Harvard referencing system. Please also provide a
bibliography using the Harvard referencing system. The recommended word limit is 2,500 to
3,000 words although you will not be penalized for exceeding the total word limit.
Your report should cover then following:
 An overview of the organisation.
 An explanation and assessment on the purpose of the HR function and the key roles and
responsibilities of the HR function.
 Explain, assess and critically evaluate of the approaches to workforce planning,
recruitment and selection, development and training, performance management and reward
systems of your chosen organisation. Also explain and evaluate the strengths and
weaknesses of these approaches.
 The approach to and effectiveness of employee relations and employee engagement, and
comment on the adoption of flexible organisation and flexible working practice and
employer of your choice’. Analyse and evaluate the importance of employees’ relations in
respect to influencing HRM decision-making.
 Identify the key areas of employment legislation within which the organisation must work.

Part 2:

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BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business
Unit 3: Human Resource Management
Centre Code: 01018

While working as an intern in the Human Resources (HR) department of an organisation of your
choice which you have selected for Assignment 1. You have been asked to take part in testing
the new recruitment and selection process.

You need to design a job description and person’s specification for a particular job role and then
complete the whole process of recruiting a particular position in your organisation.

The aim of this task is to test the recruitment and selection process and complete an individual
document portfolio to submit. The document portfolio should include:

 The design of a job specification for one of a number of given positions in the organisation.
 A CV for each student, tailored to apply for one of the positions advertised by another team.
 Documentation of preparatory notes for interviews, interview notes based on selection
criteria and a justified decision of the candidate selected.
 A job offer to the selected candidate.
 Document and explain complete process of recruitment.
 An evaluation of the process and the rationale for conducting appropriate HR practice

Grading Criteria
Pass Merit Distinction

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BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business
Unit 3: Human Resource Management
Centre Code: 01018

L.O.1: Explain the purpose and scope of Human Resource

Management in terms of resourcing an organisation with talent and
skills appropriate to fulfil business objectives.
P1: Explain the purpose and the M1: Assess how the
L.O.1:
functions of HRM, applicable to functions of HRM can
D1: Critically evaluate the
workforce planning and resourcing provide talent and skills
strengths and weaknesses of
an organisation. appropriate to fulfil business
different approaches to
objectives.
recruitment and selection,
P2: Explain the strengths and M2: Evaluate the strengths
supported by specific
weaknesses of different approaches and weaknesses of different
examples.
to recruitment and selection. approaches to recruitment
and selection.
L.O.2: Evaluate the effectiveness of the key elements of Human
Resource Management in an organisation. LO2:
P3: Explain the benefits of different M3: Explore the different D2: Critically evaluate HRM
HRM practices within an methods used in HRM practices and application
organisation for both the employer practices, providing specific within an organisational
and employee. examples to support context, using a range of
P4: Evaluate the effectiveness of
evaluation within an specific examples.
different HRM practices in terms of
organisational context.
raising organisational profit and
productivity.
L.O.3: Analyse internal and external factors that affect Human
Resource Management decision-making, including employment
legislation.

P5: Analyse the importance of M4: Evaluate the key

L.O.3 & 4
employee relations in respect to aspects of employee
D3: Critically evaluate
influencing HRM decision-making. relations management and
employee relations and the

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BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business
Unit 3: Human Resource Management
Centre Code: 01018

P6: Identify the key elements of employment legislation that application of HRM
employment legislation and the affect HRM decision-making practices that inform and
impact it has upon HRM decision- in an organisational context. influence decision-making
making. in an organisational

LO4: Apply Human Resource Management practices in a work- context.

related context.

P7: Illustrate the application of HRM M5: Provide a rationale for

practices in a work-related context, the application of specific
using specific examples. HRM practices in a work-
related context.

Before you get started please read the following information very carefully.

Assignment Format/Style
Produce an informal report/paper that addresses all the tasks in the assignment brief. You
are encouraged to use diagrams or tables to illustrate and reinforce your findings, using single
space and font size 12. Any references to academic theory should be correctly cited and

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BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business
Unit 3: Human Resource Management
Centre Code: 01018

referenced in a bibliography at the end of the report. (Please do not copy and paste
information).

✔ Fully completed assignment cover page

✔ Title page
✔ Table of contents
✔ Introduction
✔ Main body of the report clearly identifying the separate outcomes and assessment
criteria
✔ Conclusion and recommendations ( if relevant)
✔ References and bibliography
✔ Appendices only if relevant and necessary

Assignment Content
The assignment brief includes headings relevant to the unit outcomes, read and follow the tasks
listed under each heading and this will make certain that you cover all the outcomes and
assessment criteria to achieve the unit.

Assessment and Grading

Read the assessment grading criteria before attempting the assignment tasks, as it contains
important information about how you should approach your assignment and how grading is
applied in order for you to achieve a pass, merit or distinction.

Assignment Submission
All assignments must be submitted by the agreed date, via MOODLE. Assignments submitted
late, but with permission, will be marked as a pass only. Assignments submitted late, without
permission, will not be marked until the end of the year, or the next time the unit is scheduled.

Please ensure that your assignment is attached to the assignment submission receipt and that
you read and sign the statement confirming authenticity. Check that all relevant fields are
completed fully before submission.

Assignment Feedback
Once the assessor has marked your assignment, you will receive written feedback, either
confirming that you have met the required standard and grade awarded, or that you have
not yet met the standard and what you need to do to make the necessary improvements.
Please note that achieved and confirmation of grades is provisional until signed off by the
Internal Verifier.

Student Guide to Writing an Assignment

This is an assignment guide to help support you while completing your BTEC Assignments.
It includes:

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BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business
Unit 3: Human Resource Management
Centre Code: 01018

● Assignment writing guidance

● Referencing guidance

Bibliography / References
Please list down “works cited” within the framework of enumerative bibliography – a list of
references to key articles and texts. Verify each reference carefully; the references must
correspond to the citations in the text. The list of references should start on a new page and be
listed alphabetically by the name of the author(s) and then by year, chronologically. Only the
first author’s name is inverted. The name of each author and the title of the citation should be
exactly as it appears in the original work. More Information can be found in the College
MOODLE in the General Information about the Harvard Referencing.

Recommended Reading:
Learners must consult College and local national library facilities. In addition, learners need to
read the broadsheet press and weekly business magazines regularly. You should also use
relevant internet sites regularly and identify key influences and recent and relevant research
with regard to your subject area. You should read topical case studies and read about national
campaigns and government initiatives in your area of interest. Following is the list of indicative
resource materials

Textbooks:
Check the list of recommended books for your further reading

● ARMSTRONG, M. and TAYLOR, S. (2014) Armstrong’s Handbook of Human Resource

Management Practice. 13th Ed. London: Kogan Page.
● BACH, S. and EDWARDS , M. (2013) Managing Human Resources. Oxford: Wiley.
● BRATTON, J. and GOLD, J. (2012) Human Resource Management: Theory and Practice.
5th Ed. Basingstoke: Palgrave.
● TORRINGTON, D, et al. (2011) Human Resource Management. 8th Ed. London: Prentice
Hall.
● CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) available at www.cipd.co.uk.
● BPP — Business Basics: Human Resource Management 2nd Edition (BPP Publishing,
London,1997) ISBN: 0751720763.
● Corbridge M and Pilbeam S — Employment Resourcing (FT Prentice Hall, 1998) ISBN:
0273625276.

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BTEC Level 4 Higher National Certificate in Business
Unit 3: Human Resource Management
Centre Code: 01018

● Dransfield R/Howkins S/Hudson F and Davies W — Human Resource Management for

HigherAwards (Heinemann, 1996) ISBN: 0435455281.
● Foot, M and Hook, C — Introducing Human Resource Management 3rd Edition (FT
PrenticeHall, Harlow, 2002) ISBN: 0273651439.

Journals & Newspapers

● Human Resource Management Journal.
● People Management.
● Personnel Review.
● Personnel Today.
● The Guardian and any other quality broadsheet newspapers.

Websites
● www.acas.org.uk Advisory, Conciliation and Arbitration Service
● www.cipd.co.uk Chartered Institute of Personnel and development website with a range
of learning resources
● www.compactlaw.co.uk employment questions and answers
● www.drc-gb.org.uk Disability Rights Commission
● www.employment-studies.co.uk Institute for Employment Studies

Links:
Check the list of recommended links for your further reading

● Unit 7: Business Law

● Unit 12: Organisational Behaviour

● Unit 19: Resource and Talent Planning

● Unit 20: Employee Relations

● Unit 21: Strategic Human Resource Management

● Unit 29: Managing and Running a Small Business

Unit 3: Human Resource Management Page 12 of 13

Student Assessment Submission and Declaration

When submitting evidence for assessment, you must sign a declaration confirming that the
work is your own.

Student Assessor
name: name:
Submission Submitted
Issue date: date: on:

Programme BTEC Higher National Certificate in Business

:

Unit: Unit 3: Human Resource Management

Plagiarism
Plagiarism is a form of cheating. Plagiarism must be avoided at all costs and students who
break the rules, however innocently, may be penalised. It is your responsibility to ensure that
you understand correct referencing practices. As a university level student, you are expected to
use appropriate references throughout and keep carefully detailed notes of all your sources of
materials for material you have used in your work, including any material downloaded from the
Internet. Please consult the relevant unit lecturer or your course tutor if you need any further
advice.

Student declaration
I certify that the assignment submission is entirely my own work. I fully understand the
consequences of plagiarism. I understand that making a false declaration is a form of
malpractice.

Student signature: Date: