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Human Resource Management (Assignment 2)

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HUMAN RESOURCE MANAGEMENT 2

Question 1-a

Competence is an essential philosophy and attitude in the workplace. Today people who

have the competency, skills, best personal value, and motivation should be selected as managers

and employees to take on significant responsibilities and improve work performance according

to the standards defined by the organization.

In a successful work organization, decision-making power is the most fundamental factor

among all the factors playing an important role in achieving the organization's goals. Decision-

making power is one of the critical competencies in the workplace. In other words, Essential and

logical decision-making is one of the first and most important tasks of any employee. They make

hundreds or even thousands of important decisions about intra-organizational issues, and any

decision can affect the performance of the company. With making the right decisions, it can be

supposed that the activities of the company and the organization will be carried in a purposeful,

beneficial, and coordinated manner. A wrong decision may endanger the success of the

organization. Therefore, employees should have the power to make the right decisions in

different fields. With increasing competition among companies, the decision-making ability can

affect profitability and marketing in the organization. Furthermore, it determines where the

company can invest in enhancing business growth.

When there are unwanted problems in the company, employees who have high decision-

making power play a vital role in the process of solving the problems. They first understand the

problem well and then analyze the available information. Possible solutions to solve the problem

are provided by them, and finally, relying on their high intelligence and consulting with the

managers, find the best answer to solve the problem. They also have the ability to design a smart,
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long-term plan to deal with the company's problems(CRAIG SOUTHERN Prescott Valley,

2016)(Lišková & Tomšík, 2013).

CRAIG SOUTHERN Prescott Valley, by E. (2016). Decision-Making Models in Human

Resources Management: Human Resources Management.

Lišková, S., & Tomšík, P. (2013). Competency-based approach to human resources

management. Agricultural Economics (Czech Republic), 59(11), 496–504.

https://doi.org/10.17221/68/2013-agricecon

Question 1-b

Decision-making ability requires planned methods for training, which is developed by

managers whose responsibility is to help to improve overall performance in the organization.

There are two common methods used: On-the-job Training and Off-the-job training. Both

methods have a great effect on preparing people for better fulfillment of their responsibilities and

improving their abilities and skills in the workplace.

Case study method is one of the Off-method training. It is about a real project that has

been occurred in the past. The employees must diagnose the project's problems, and given the

different aspects of the organization, such as financial issues, design effective and new solutions

for solving it. Moreover, the employees need to know that the decision that is implemented has a

major impact on their career future and should do their best to find a solution. The case study

approach strengthens the power of problem-solving ability and enhances decision-making

competences.

The internship gives people the opportunity to become familiar with the real situation.

This method causes people to gain the knowledge and skills needed to succeed in their future
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careers. During this time, they should ask questions, receive feedback, and always look for ways

to improve their skills. The internship approach provides the conditions for maintaining a

professional relationship with experts in the future and teaches making-decisions ability to

employees.

Career counseling during working helps employees to identify their true ability and

motivation in specific projects for performing tasks in their working position. Experienced

managers who have understood the different conditions of the company in their own career,

teaches the important points to the employees in different positions and make them more familiar

with the possible problems. So, the career counseling method helps employees to interact

effectively with people and plan a brilliant plan for the organization's goals(Ognjenović, 2015).

(Porter et al., 2019)

Ognjenović, K. (2015). On-the-Job Training and Human Resource Management: How to

Improve Competitive Advantage of an Organization? Organizacija, 48(1), 57–70.

https://doi.org/10.1515/orga-2015-0005

Porter, C. M., Posthuma, R. A., Maertz, C. P., Joplin, J. R. W., Rigby, J., Gordon, M., & Graves,

K. (2019). On-the-job and off-the-job embeddedness differentially influence relationships

between informal job search and turnover. Journal of Applied Psychology, 104(5), 678–689.

https://doi.org/10.1037/apl0000375

Question 1-c

Learning style is a method that trainees use to receive information, organize it in their

mind, and then interpret it and finally draw conclusions. The learning styles consist of patterns

that help the trainee to learn a new language or skills. Employees who can use multiple learning
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styles like VARK model (visual-auditory-reading- kinesthetic) are more likely to have a better

work outcome.

One of the VARK learning style methods is the visual method. Employees that seek to

find answers for issues, with benefiting from information in the form pictures, videos can have

the best performance in the workplace. Visuals like maps, diagrams, and photographs allow

trainees' brains to obtain useful knowledge for using decision-making competency at the

improvement of the organization.

The auditory learning style leads learners to receive information from people speaking.

Furthermore, they obtain knowledge and skills while using sounds in the environment like a

podcast, music, group discussions, and types of presentations.

In reading learning style, by relying on reading texts like notes and textbooks, employees

can identify important details that lead to decision-making in work issues and ultimately help to

solve the problem.

The last of VARK methods is kinesthetic, which refers to real-life situations and the use

of a realistic model. So, they prefer to understand the main features of any topic by using their

bodies and sense of touch. This method is beneficial for strengthening decision-making power

because the employee with experience of the real problem can better analyze the situation and

provide a complete answer.

Using logic and reasoning for analyzing issues is one of the best learning styles that is

known as the logical learning style. In other words, knowing logical learning styles can have a

significant effect on developing the skills of employees who want to gain maximum potential in

doing work more effectively. Also, at this method, employees communicate perfect collaboration
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with their managers and learn from them to find the best solution for the problem in the

organization(Othman & Amiruddin, 2010)(Oxford, 2003).

Othman, N., & Amiruddin, M. H. (2010). Different perspectives of learning styles from VARK

model. Procedia - Social and Behavioral Sciences, 7, 652–660.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.sbspro.2010.10.088

Oxford, R. L. (2003). LANGUAGE LEARNING STYLES AND STRATEGIES: AN

OVERVIEW. In undefined.

Question 1-d

Maintaining and enhancing value in the workplace is not an easy task. Successful

employees benefit from training programs to achieve the best performance. Most managers in an

organization are sometimes unhappy with the behavior and performance of their employees, but

never try to share that feedback with employees. Expressing dissatisfaction is difficult and

annoying, but experienced managers know how to articulate these issues so that they do not

cause discomfort and annoyance, and at the same time, help the progress of employees.

Examining how employees deal with problems during a training program will help the company

achieve its goals.

Most employees do not understand the importance of following a plan and its impact on

the company. Ensuring that employees adhere to the program is one of the key performance

indicators. When employees of the company do their best to participate in training programs

such as the case study approach, they will do their best to solve the problem and therefore, can be

expected to have a great commitment to work in the workplace. High commitment reflects the
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specific individual's character in managing the daily challenges that affect the decisions made in

the organization.

The workplace, like other communities, requires a set of regulations, some of which are

well-executed. The work environment should be such an item that employees feel comfortable

during training. In other words, the atmosphere in the company plays a significant role in

supporting training programs like internship approach as well as promoting employee

satisfaction.

Management can have different effects on employees' emotional and psychological

behaviors. Managers use resource management efficiently to direct their energy toward the

success of the organization's goals. To run a successful training program, managers must be

active in all of the organization's activities.

Question 2-a

Violating minimum wage regulation, which is occurred by employers, is a common

problem in the workplace. In some firms, workers receive less than the set amount. In other

words, they get paid for more work, and employers have a significant role in this injustice.

Minimum wage violation is prevalent among female workers than men.

The Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) is the United States labor law whose duty is to

determine minimum wage value for employees. Under FLSA regulation, that American workers'

income must be about 7.25$ per hour. According to the department of labor(DOL), in 2014,

11,042 cases of minimum wage violations were reported.

The minimum wage violation issue has proponents and opponents. Proponents of a

precise determination of The minimum wage violation say that its positive effects, such as
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raising the standard of living of workers, reducing poverty and inequality, are beneficial to

society and also encourages workers to work and motivates them. Opponents, on the other hand,

say that if the value of this share increases, it will increase unemployment and the number of

low-skilled workers. They believe small firms have been faced with major problems due to a

lack of capital to pay their workers. That is why, in many companies, a minimum wage violation

issue causes obstacles between employees and employers.

In order to achieve organizational goals, the employer must pay the employees according

to the established regulation. Employees can set up a complaint report to announce to the

departments like HMRC and H&R Block (in U.S.) that the minimum wage law is violated by

employers. HMRC is the department that its responsibility is to collect letters from workers.

After finding the employers that have not paid the minimum wage, HMRC forces them to pay

the rate based on the rules(“Fiscal Year Data for WHD | U.S. Department of Labor,” n.d.).

Fiscal Year Data for WHD | U.S. Department of Labor. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19, 2020, from

https://www.dol.gov/agencies/whd/data/charts

Question 2-b,c

Discrimination against employees, especially women, in the workplace is one of the types

of inequalities that occur daily in the workplace. Economic problems, inequality in job

opportunities, barriers to progress, and gender-based violence are all forms of discrimination in

the workplace. There is gender discrimination in the workplace around the world. Research

shows that only 7.2 percent of men and women in the world report experiencing gender

inequality in their work environment.

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All of these factors lead to reduced employee health and poor outcomes in the

organization. To this end, the need for regulations to protect different human beings is essential.

In recent years, laws have been enacted to combat the problem. Research on a large number of

women in the United States shows that gender discrimination in the workplace has had many

negative effects on women's health throughout their lives. Despite discriminatory laws, many

employees with a valid degree are not employed because of their race or gender.

The implementation of discrimination regulation may cause the dismissal of workers or

managers who were known as capable workers in the workplace but behaved in a discriminatory

manner towards other people. So, if the new employees hired by the company are not good at

performing their tasks, the company might face the problems. But despite the different aspects,

eliminating gender discrimination is an excellent advantage for the work environment.

 Promoting the culture of equality in the workplace helps all employees to have equal

opportunities for advancement. In this situation, people will feel more attached to the work

environment and will be able to innovate. Also, having different perspectives together and using

the talents of men and women will help to create an inspiring environment. Gender equality and

diversity in the workplace validate a business. Having such values will encourage others to work

with you, and many would like to be part of what you have created(Siuta & Bergman, 2019)

(“Bill Text - SB-224 Personal rights: civil liability and enforcement.,” n.d.)(Kartolo & Kwantes,

2019).

Siuta, R. L., & Bergman, M. E. (2019). Sexual Harassment in the Workplace.

https://doi.org/10.1093/ACREFORE/9780190224851.013.191
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Bill Text - SB-224 Personal rights: civil liability and enforcement. (n.d.). Retrieved April 19,

2020, from http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billTextClient.xhtml?bill_id=201720180SB224

Kartolo, A. B., & Kwantes, C. T. (2019). Organizational culture, perceived societal and

organizational discrimination. Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, 38(6), 602–618.

https://doi.org/10.1108/EDI-10-2018-0191

Question 3

Unions are considered as an association that consists of employees working whose duty

is to promote the lifestyle of employees as well as their economic status. Furthermore, they are

known as Representatives between workers and company managers and protect the interest of

employees. With safeguarding the rights of employees, creating rules for Rationalize working

hours, and paying higher wages, unions play a vital role in improving the quality of life workers.

In the U.S, the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB) has responsibility for creating

unions. The National Education Association (NEA) of the United States is the biggest union in

the country that includes such public school teachers, education faculty students as members of

the union. Moreover, United Auto Workers(UAW), International Brotherhood of Electrical

Workers (IBEW) are successful unions in the U.S.A. Unions also pay attention to the health

status of workers and provide services for maintaining health. In most countries, the union

formation process is regulated by a government agency.

Despite the advantages of unionization for employees, the high membership cost, as well

as a monthly cost, is one of the problems that workers have. If an employee becomes a member

of the union, he(she) must comply with the rules of the union. In other words, the employee not

free to decide for their bad situation in the environment of works. Also, the laws enacted by the
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union are against the interests of new workers because seniority is the main factor in determining

payments. Walmart, which is one of the best retail companies, strongly opposes the formation of

the unions. It believes it can with reducing employees' wages offer lower prices to its customers,

while this attitude is not acceptable by unions' laws. Kroger, Ralphs, Albertsons are union

companies that may want to make big decisions about unions for more profitability(Turnbull,

2003)(Wolfe & Pyrooz, 2014)(Terkel, 2003).

Turnbull, P. (2003). What do unions do now? Journal of Labor Research, Vol. 24, pp. 491–527.

https://doi.org/10.1007/s12122-003-1010-5

Wolfe, S. E., & Pyrooz, D. C. (2014). Rolling Back Prices and Raising Crime Rates? The

Walmart Effect on Crime in the United States. The British Journal of Criminology, 54(2),

199–221. https://doi.org/10.1093/bjc/azt071