6.1.1

Setting Human Resource Objectives

Test yourself on Setting Human Resource Objectives

After reading these notes, test your knowledge with free interactive questions on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

Setting Human Resources Objectives

In the human resources (HR) department, there are many different types of objectives which may be appropriate.

Employee engagement

Employee engagement

  • HR objectives can be focused on employee engagement and involvement. Employee engagement involves listening to staff, involving staff in decision making processes and building relationships between staff and managers. For example, Google allows its employees to spend 20% of their working time on a project of their choice.
Talent development

Talent development

  • HR objectives can be focused on talent development. Talent development involves a business developing their current employees so that they can support the business’s future success.
Training

Training

  • HR objectives can be focused on training.
Diversity

Diversity

  • HR objectives can be focused on diversity.
Aligning values

Aligning values

  • HR objectives can be focused on aligning values. Aligning values involves ensuring employees have similar values and beliefs to a business’. For example, a business may seek to change an employee’s values, through training, or may only recruit individuals who have demonstrated at interview that their values are similar to those of the business.
Location and skills

Location and skills

  • HR objectives can be focused on the number, skills, and location of employees. Human resources (HR) are responsible for recruiting so can determine the number of employees available and the skill set of each of these individuals. HR may also employ staff to work at different locations within the business, for example across several factories or stores.

Influences on Human Resources Objectives

Influences affecting a business’s choice of human resources objectives can be internal or external.

Internal influences

Internal influences

  • Objectives of the business will influence the choice of human resources objectives as objectives at a functional or departmental level must support the overall business.
  • Availability of internal funding can influence the choice of human resources objectives as this may determine how many vacancies are advertised.
Internal influences continued

Internal influences continued

  • Objectives of the other business functions will influence the choice of human resources objectives. For example, if the operational objectives are focussed on flexibility and require the recruitment of additional temporary staff for the festive period, the human resources department will need to support this through focussing on recruitment.
External influences

External influences

  • Legal considerations influence the choice of human resources objectives as HR departments will have to comply with laws around recruitment and employment.
  • Technological advancements influence the choice of human resources objectives. For example, developments in technology may require HR to organise training on new technologies used in the business.
External influences continued

External influences continued

  • Ethical considerations influence the choice of human resources objectives as HR departments may need to consider whether to pay the National Minimum Wage, or whether to use zero-hours contracts.
Jump to other topics
1

What is Business?

2

Managers, Leadership & Decision Making

3

Decision Making to Improve Marketing Performance

4

Decision Making to Improve Operational Performance

5

Decision Making to Improve Financial Performance

6

Improving Human Resource Performance

7

Analysing the Strategic Position of a Business

8

Choosing Strategic Direction

9

How to Pursue Strategies

10

Managing Strategic Change

Practice questions on Setting Human Resource Objectives

Can you answer these? Test yourself with free interactive practice on Seneca — used by over 10 million students.

  1. 1
    HR objectives:Fill in the list
  2. 2
Answer all questions on Setting Human Resource Objectives

Unlock your full potential with Seneca Premium

  • Unlimited access to 10,000+ open-ended exam questions

  • Mini-mock exams based on your study history

  • Unlock 800+ premium courses & e-books

Get started with Seneca Premium