HR Course Case Study: Applying HRM Units to a Continuing Case

Worldview and People Management

Apply each unit to a continuing case. For example, while discussing job analysis we will discuss which analysis tools would be most appropriate to a particular job in the case, and while discussing training we will discuss how to approach the training demands in the case.

Outlining their perspective on how best to approach each aspect of the case, i.e., one section for each unit of the course.

Unit Overview 1 – Worldview and People Management:

In this unit we briefly discuss how various worldviews affect approaches to HRM.

Question from this unit for the case study: there are a number of societal values mentioned in the case that are driving managerial decisions. Identify the most significant and how these values influence management thinking.

Unit Overview 2 – Job Analysis:

The foundation upon which much of human resource management is built is the job analysis. In this unit we examine the elements and approaches to job analysis.

Question from this unit for the case study: identify which job analysis tools you would use in analyzing the Jamie's Market temporary associates and why those would be optimal. Develop a job description (place at the end of your assignment in an Appendix) based on your existing knowledge and indirect sources (i.e., no need to go and do primary research).

Unit Overview 3 – HR Planning:

HR Planning is an often ignored area, however, forecasting demand and assessing available supply of human resources is a critical business activity. It can limit expansion or create competitive advantage. In this unit we explore various means for making these plans.

Question from this unit for the case study: consider the following in this unit's section of the term assignment.

• What factors, in the short and long term, will drive demand for Jamie's Market temporary associates?
• What factors, in the short and long term, will drive supply for Jamie's Market temporary associates?
• What impact do you anticipate these factors to have, i.e., increase/decrease staffing needs, increase/decrease potential hiring pool? 
• From where will you gather information on these factors to help you plan?  

Unit Overview 4 – Legal Considerations:

In this unit we examine the Canadian legal milieu in which HR professionals work.  

Question from this unit for the case study: What potential systemic discrimination may be embedded in the organization's HR practice?

What reasonable accommodations should the organization think about in its plans regarding its employees?  

Unit Overview 5 – Recruitment & Selection:

Question from this unit for the case study: Why were initial temporary associate recruitment attempts unsuccessful?

What recruitment avenues should be explored?

What would appropriate selection tools should be employed?

Unit Overview 6 – Orientation, Training and Development

Question from this unit for the case study: What will be the key outcomes for the orientation, training and development plans for new temporary associates? What training approach should be adopted (identify one approach for one of the key outcomes and why that approach is appropriate).

Unit Overview 7 – Performance Management

Question from this unit for the case study: Choose one performance criteria you think will be important for a temporary associate and state a measure you think will tell you the incumbent is performing well in the job. Be sure to indicate how the employment measure will be evaluated and why that evaluation method is appropriate.  

Unit Overview 8 – Compensation Systems

Question from this unit for the case study: Given the difficulty Jamie's Market had in recruiting temporary associates, what is one creative approach to compensation you could implement to attract and retain high quality employees? It may be a tangible or intangible form of compensation and must align with your earlier analysis, particularly recruitment and selection.

Unit Overview 9 – Employee Relations

Question from this unit for the case study: Assume you have hired a new temporary associate but there have been several customer complaints about incorrect or unhelpful information being provided to them by the employee. What disciplinary steps should be taken?

Unit Overview 10 – Union Relations

Questions from this unit for the case study: No need to include a section in your paper on union-management relations.

Unit Overview 11 – Health & Safety

Question from this unit for the case study: Identify one potential workplace hazard or safety risk which could potentially be present in a grocery store.  Suggest a preventative policy and explain how it demonstrates shared responsibility for safety?