Human Resource Management

Aims of this Unit

People can be considered a key competitive advantage for organisations. The ways in which Human Resource Management (HRM) is used in an organisation can make a difference to the success of organisations by keeping engagement, retention and productivity high while minimising HR risks, for example, work health and safety, and other legislative breaches as well as maintaining a positive employee brand. This unit will assist managers in understanding the need for a strategic approach to HRM and how to maximise this important function to achieve successful outcomes for their team and business.

Studying HRM enables you to:

• Manage employees confidently
• Understand the legislative framework and your responsibilities
• Build better relationships with HRM as a business partner
• Contribute positively to performance/productivity improvements in your organisation
• Plan for dealing with the changing nature of the workplace and work.
  

This unit aims to:

• Introduce managers to the principles that underpin the HRM function of an organisation, which directly impacts people and performance.
• Facilitate the learning of concepts and practices of HRM as a mechanism for translating business strategies into sound strategic and operational HRM practices.
• Examine the links between business strategy and HRM through an understanding of strategic HRM.
• Examine frameworks and techniques to enhance best practices in the following areas: HRM strategies and plans, workforce planning, attraction, recruitment and selection, managing diversity and work/life blend, human resource development, performance management, retention, and evaluating the effectiveness of the HRM function.

Knowledge and Understanding

This unit is designed to provide students with an understanding of:

• How strategic HRM (SHRM) works to increase the competitive advantage of organisations
• The importance of evaluation in rationalising and improving HRM practices
• HRM context with a focus on the Australian legislative framework and new ways of working
• The importance of workforce planning, attracting and selecting human resources
• Key retention and productivity strategies:
• Contemporary issues and practices in SHRM for the future.

Learning Outcomes

Following completion of this course, participants should be able to:

• Examine the significance of strategic HRM.
• Critically analyse the complexities of the HR environment and the changing nature of work.
• Examine and recommend relevant HRM interventions in line with current issues and emerging trends.
• Critically assess an organisation’s HRM strategies and evaluate the appropriateness of the relevant employee life cycle functions.
• Critically evaluate HRM capability and effectiveness within an organisation.