Using relevant research/academic literature on HRM that you have read so far, prepare a critical review of one (1) of the following HR activities that warrants remedial action in the organisation you are working for (or have worked for in the past):
- staff selection
- occupational health and safety
- career management
- diversity management
With the support of research/academic literature, you are required to:
- summarize an HR issue/problem that you've identified in the activity area;
- justify why it is important for management to take action to address the issue/problem raised, having regard to its impacts on performance in the organisation (at multiple levels, if this is appropriate);
- use research/academic literature to analyze and assess possible strategies for managing the issue/problem,taking into consideration constraints that exist in the organization;
- recommend policies and actions based on this assessment. Justify your recommendation(s); and
- be persuasive in your arguments.
There is a clear logic or flow in the structure of these points, and you may like to use this to structure your argument in the essay.
Rationale
This assignment is designed to:
- assist students in examining and understanding how HR operates in practice as compared to what is found in research/academic literature;
- familiarise students with the gap which may exist between espoused HR policy and actual HR practice within work organisations;
- encourage students to develop a critical understanding of the extent to which organisations adhere to espoused HRM policies;
- encourage students to explore the complicated relationship among top management, line managers, HR managers and employees and its effect on HR policies and practices;
- encourage students to develop sound analytical skills based on in-depth literature research, learnt theories, case studies and work practices.