Human Resources Management (hrm)

Human resources management is a set of planning activities. They include the acquisition*, maintenance, and development of an organization's human resources. In general, human resources planning consists of forecasting the human resources that the firm will need in the future.

Acquisition includes planning that leads to hiring new personnel.

Maintenance of human resources consists of motivating employees to remain within the firms and to work effectively. Motivation includes the following aspects: rewarding an employee through monetary payments; providing benefits and promotions to ensure an employee's well-being.

Development aspect of HRM is concerned with improving employees' skills and capabilities. Employee training and development programs enhance the ability of employees to contribute to the firm.

Candidates for open positions may be recruited from within or outside the firm. In the selection process applications, resumes, interviews and references may be used to obtain information about candidates.

Everyone who applies for a job (an applicant) must submit an application. An employment application is useful in collecting factual information on a candidate's education, work experience, and personal history. The data obtained from applications are usually used for two purposes: to identify candidates who are worthy of further scrutiny and to familiarize interviewers with applicants' backgrounds. A typical employment application represents a special form to be filled in.

Many job candidates submit resumes to employers, and some firms require them. A resume is a short summary of the candidate's background and qualifications. It includes a description of the type of job the applicant is seeking. A resume may be submitted along with an employment application. In Britain, a resume is often called a curriculum vitae (CV).

The employment interview is the most widely used selection technique. Job candidates are usually interviewed by at least one member of the HRM staff and by the person for whom they will be working. Interviews provide an opportunity for the firm and the applicant learn more about each other. Interviewers can ask different questions to learn something about the candidate's attitude to the job and motivation.

Very often interviewers ask different questions of different applicants, so that it becomes impossible to compare candidates' qualifications. Some of these problems can be solved through the use of structural interviews. A structural interview is an interview in which an interviewer asks a prepared set of questions.

A job candidate is generally asked to indicate the names of referees - people who can verify background information and provide personal evaluation of the candidate. Personal evaluations obtained from references may not be of much value because applicants list only the referees who say good things about them. However, references help to verify such information as previous job responsibilities and the reason an applicant decided to leave a former job.

All the information collected during the selection process is then used to select the most appropriate candidates for the job. Newly hired employees should go through a firm's orientation program. Orientation is the process of acquainting new employees with the organization.

Feedback is a talking of a manager to subordinates to let them know how well they are doing and how they can work better in the future. In other words, it is performance appraisal. These appraisals may be positive or negative. Feedback must help eliminate job-related weaknesses. For a good job employees get rewards such as pay raises and promotions.

Note: *acquisition - зд.: планирование кадровой политики.

Ex. IX. Go back to the text and find the English equivalents to the following Russian phrases:

управление трудовыми ресурсами; в общем; новый персонал; оставаться в составе фирмы; предоставление льгот; продвижение по службе; обеспечивать благосостояние работника; подготовка персонала; вакантные должности; заявление о приеме на работу; опыт работы; собеседование при приеме на работу; метод, способ отбора; претендент; по крайней мере; рекомендательные письма; подходящая кандидатура; ознакомительная программа; дать знать; иначе говоря.

Ex. X. Complete the sentences.

1. Human resources planning consists of … .

2. Acquisition includes … .

3. Motivation includes … .

4. … enhance the ability of employees.

5. To obtain information about candidates one may use … .

6. An employment application includes information … .

7. A resume includes a description … .

8. The most widely used selection technique is … .

9. Interviews provide an opportunity … .

10. All the information collected during the selec­tion process is used … .

11. Orientation is the process of … .

12. Performance ap­praisal is used … .

Ex. XI. Complete the missing words and translate the text into Russian.

(Трудовые ресурсы) is a term in which many organizations describe the combination of traditionally administrative personnel functions with performance (руководство), employee relations and (кадровое планирование). The field draws upon concepts (разработанный) in Industrial/Organizational Psychology. Human resources has at least two related interpretations (в зависимости от) on context. The (первоначальное) usage derives from political economy and economics, where it was traditionally called (труд), one of four factors of (производство). The more (распространенный) usage within corporations and (предприятия) refers to the individuals within the firm, and to the portion of the firm's organization that (иметь дело) with (наем рабочей силы), firing, (обучение), and other personnel issues. This article addresses both definitions.

The (цель) of Human Resources is to maximize the return on investment from the organization's (человеческий) capital and minimize financial risk. It is the (обязанность) of (менеджеры по персоналу) to conduct these (виды деятельности) in an effective, legal, fair, and consistent manner. (Управление трудовыми ресурсами) serves these key functions: hiring or (комплектование личным составом); compensation; evaluation and management of performance; (продвижение по службе); managing relations; (планирование); payroll.

Ex. XII. Match each group of human resources terms (a-k) with the appropriate heading (1-11).

1. Working conditions 2. Recruitment 3. Training

4. Management 5. Equal opportunities 6. Pay

7. Health and safety 8. Employee relations 9. Employment law 10. Appraisal 11. Pensions

a) retire; portable; period of service; contribution

b) accident; warning; inspector; first aid

с) strike; deal; dispute; agree

d) contract; tribunal; dismissal; union rights

e) time management; leadership; team building; assertiveness training

f) course; role-play; visual aid; self study

g) interview; objectives; performance; review

h) wages; bonus; commission; incentive

i) interview; apply; CV; headhunt

j) returner; flexible hours; creche facilities; homeworking

k) duties; hours; holidays; full-time

Ex. XIII. Translate from Russian into English.

1. Трудовые ресурсы являются самыми важными ресурсами организации.

2. Управление трудовыми ресурсами представляет ряд плановых мероприятий.

3. Мотивация работников включает в себя денежную оплату и предоставление льгот.

4. Претенденты на должность должны представить заявления.

5. Некоторые фирмы требуют краткую трудовую биографию.

6. Собеседование дает возможность узнать больше о претенденте.

7. Обучение персонала дало возможность повысить производительность.

8. В поисках претендентов на открытые вакансии вы можете обратиться в бюро по трудоустройству (an employment agency).

9. Вас попросят заполнить заявление и прийти на собеседование.

10. Не могли бы Вы быть моим поручителем?

11. За хорошую работу работники получают такое вознаграждение, как повышение зарплаты или повышение по службе.

12. Обратная связь помогает ликвидировать связанные с работой недостатки.

Use of English

Ex. I. A. Read the text and translate it without a dictionary.

Michael was unemployed and was looking for a job. He saw an advertisement for a job as a computer programmer. He decided to apply for it, and sent his CV and an application form. A week later he had an interview and a few days later the boss phoned to say that he had got the job. He went to sign the contract, and the next day he started work. He had to work very hard and do overtime, but he was happy because he earned a good salary. At first everything went well, and after six months he got promoted. But unfortunately a few months later he had an argument with the boss and was sacked. Michael was unemployed again.

B. Cover the text and tell the story.

Ex. II. Match the words in column A with their definitions in column B.

A	B
to retire	a) someone who pays other people to work.
manager	b) someone who is paid to work.
company	c) an organization or group of people who work together in business.
employee	d) to leave your job (because you want to go)
to resign	e) to leave your job (because you are old, e.g. 65).
employer	f) to stop work because you want better working conditions.
trade union	g) group of people who represent workers.
to go on strike	h) someone who controls an organization.

Ex. III. Complete the text with the words in italics:

conditions, hours, part time, temporary, experience, job, qualifications, work

Nowadays in many countries, there is not enough …for everybody, and many people are looking for a … . If they are lucky enough to find one, it is often … , (only a few hours a day) not full time, or it is a … job (only for a few months), not a permanent one. Many jobs involve working long … , and often the working … (e.g. salary, holidays) are not good. To get a good job, it’s important to have … (e.g. a university degree) and some … .

Ex. IV. Here are some things you might look for in a job. Match the beginnings and endings.

1. I need to be doing a) part of a team.

2. I like to know that I’m helping b) behind a desk all day.

3. It’s important to feel that I’m c) the same thing day in day out.

4. I need to be given d) something useful.

5. I don’t want to be stuck e) responsibility.

6. I don’t want to find myself doing f) people.

Ex. V. These sentences describe what you like or dislike about your job. Match the beginnings and endings.

1. I hate having to attend a) so much boring paperwork.

2. I love meetings b) my own boss.

3. I wish I didn’t have to do c) new people.

4. I run my own business. I really enjoy being d) difficult customers.

5. I hate having to deal with e) so many meetings.

6. I get on really well with f) all my colleagues except one.

Ex. VI. Decide whether the words express a positive or negative idea.

1. My job’s so boring. It’s the same thing day after day.

2. It’s so repetitive. I just sit there all day filling in forms.

3. It’s very satisfying to know that you’ve helped someone through their exams.

4. Knowing that I might have saved somebody’s life is very rewarding.

5. I find it very challenging. It requires a lot of concentration and determination.

6. This job’s very stressful. It’s making me ill.

7. I wish I could do something glamorous like acting or modeling.

8. It’s very friendly place to work. All the staff were really helpful when I joined the firm a couple of months ago.

Ex. VII. A. Do you know the following jobs involve: air-traffic controller, travel courier, househusband, driving instructor, au pair, coach. What do you think are …?

• the most important personal qualities they need (to be able to get on with people, etc);

• the special qualifications/abilities they need (a degree, to be able to drive, etc.);

• the good/bad sides of the job.

B. Read what four people are talking about. What do they do?

Job 1

Well, you need to be good with people. I’d say that’s the most important thing. And you need to be really patient. You don’t need any qualifications except languages, of course. The more languages you speak, the better.

The good side of the job is definitely the traveling. I’ve been able to get to know places I never dreamed of seeing, like Bali and Honolulu. And I meet a lot of nice people too.

The bad side is that it’s not very well paid. The salary’s quite low compared to other jobs. And the job itself can sometimes be very stressful. There are nearly always problems – overbooking in hotels, flight delays, luggage that doesn’t arrive, people wanting to change their rooms and things like that.

The worst experience I’ve had was this awful customer who spent at least two hours a day complaining to me, and always about the same things. He complained about the size of the swimming pool, then about the music in restaurant, then about the food. Finally he even locked me in his room one day to make me listen to his complaints. After that we paid for a plane ticket for him to go home a week early. He was the worst customer I’ve had.

Job 2

I think the most important thing is that you have to love children, and be good at getting on with them. You don’t need any qualifications, you just have to be able to speak a bit of English.

The good side of the job is definitely the children. Although sometimes they’re naughty or difficult, most of the time I really enjoy looking after them. And I’ve learned a lot of English talking to them and playing with them. I also have a lot of free time, so I can go to classes, or go out with my friends at night.

The bad side is the parents of the children. They’re not friendly to me and they don’t get on with each other. They’re always arguing. I don’t like them. And I have to do a lot of housework. Too much.

My worst experience was one night when the phone rang, and I picked it up and said “Hello?” It was a woman and she thought I was the children’s mother. She said, “I’m going to tell you everything. I’m in love with your husband!” Then when I explained that I was only the au pair, she became completely hysterical! That evening, when the wife wasn’t there, I told her husband about the phone call. First he laughed and said it was a joke, but then he offered me more money. I didn’t accept it.

Job 3

I coach a women’s team in the north who play in the top division in Italy. I love my job, and I’d never want to do anything else. I used to be a player myself, and when you’ve been in the world of sport all your life it must be very difficult to do something else. I’d hate to work in an office, for example. So for me that’s a great advantage, just being with a team.

I work hard, but I don’t work an eight-hour day. The team trains for an hour and a half every evening, so that leaves me a lot of free time. And of course when the season’s over I have quite long holidays, usually from May to mid July, when we start training again. The salary is good, though not as good as it would be if I coached a men’s team. But the best thing of all is that I really enjoy the day-to-day work of coaching. I look forward to going to work!

Of course there are disadvantage too. May be the biggest one is not having any free weekends during the season, because of the matches. And the traveling. We often have to travel from one end of the country to the other, which means eight hours or more in a bus. The players are good at sleeping in the bus, but I’m not!

The worst thing for me is the stress during matches. If you have ever felt stressed watching a team you support in an important match, just imagine how the coach feels! I often feel physically sick just before a big match. But of course when you win (if you win), you forget it all immediately. Winning is like a medicine – it takes away all the pain.

Job 4

You might not believe me, but the best thing about my job is that I actually enjoy it. I get a lot of satisfaction from feeling I’ve really helped people to learn to do something that they couldn’t do before.

Then it’s my own business, I can work when I want, so I organize the lessons when it suits me. And of course I meet a lot of people of all ages, though I suppose most of them are 18 or 19. But there are some older people too.

The bad side is that I don’t really earn very much. I suppose if I worked longer hours I’d earn more, but I don’t really want to. The other problem is the stress. You need very strong nerves, especially when traffic’s bad. And of course even though there are two sets of controls in the car, I’ve been in quite a few near accidents! But nothing serious, luckily.

C. Think of someone in your family who works. Complete the table about him/her.

Job

Place of work

Things he/she has to do

Adjectives that describe the job

Main advantage – main disadvantage

D. Talk to another student about his/her relative’s job. You may make up a dialogue.

Model: A I’m going to talk about my uncle.

B What does he do?

A He’s an electrician.

B Where does he work?, etc.

Ex. VIII. A. Find sentences on the right, which paraphrase each of the sentences on the left. You will not need to use all the sentences on the right.

1) What do you do for a living? a) Why did you resign?

2) Is it a very rewarding job? b) What do you have to do exactly?

3) Do you get any perks? c) Where do you live?

4) Why did they sack you? d) Do you work for yourself or are you employed by someone?

5) Are you in charge of recruitment? e) Why did they employ you?

6) Is it a very demanding job? f) Is it a very satisfying job?

7) What does the job involve? g) Do you need any special training?

8) Why did you hand in your notice? h) Are you responsible for employing people?

9) How much do you earn? i) Is it very hard work?

10) Is it a skilled job? j) What's your salary?

11) Why did they take you on? k) Why were you dismissed?

12) Are you freelance? l) Do you get paid for overtime?

m) What's your job?

n) What fringe benefits are there?

B. It is sometimes necessary to paraphrase what you are saying if the listener does not understand.

Model: A: How much do you earn? C: Why did they sack you?

B: Sorry? D: I beg your pardon?

A: What's your salary? C: Why did they dismiss you?

B: Oh, it's … D: It was because of …

C. Practice similar dialogues with a partner using phrases from Ex. VIII. A.

D. Find someone in your class with a job and interview them about their work. Choose suitable questions from Ex. VIII. A, and any others you want to ask.

Ex. IX. Guess the meaning of the underlined phrases in the following sentences and be prepared to explain them.

1. He has always taken his job very seriously but recently he has become a complete workaholic.

2. They gave her a golden handshake when she left the company.

3. I told him that I was up to my eyes in work and couldn't possibly go out with him this evening.

4. They’ve just employed a new financial adviser - a real high-flier according to the people in the accounts department.

5. He told me to pull my socks up otherwise I’d be out of a job.

6. That Mrs Bates is a real slave driver.

Ex. X. Match words in the left-hand box with words in the right-hand box to form six compound nouns. Use the words to complete the sentences below.

A	B
out down set back turn break	log over fall put back down

1. Manufacturing … has fallen steadily in the past five years.

2. There's always a … of work waiting when I get back after my holiday.

3. The problem was caused by a complete … in communication.

4. The strike will be a big … for the company.

5. Last year … reached almost £3 million.

6. Trying to expand too quickly brought about their … .

Ex. XI. Discuss the following three jobs: a secondary school teacher, the managing director of a small company, an army sergeant and decide who would do the things in the box below most often.

attend meetings obey orders negotiate contracts mark essays tell lies cancel appointments shout at people fire people delegate work sign documents set a good example appear to be in a good mood go on strike take risks encourage people complain about work compromise apologize make unpopular decisions

Which of the things in the box would you personally find most difficult? Discuss your answers in groups.

LESSON FOUR

Ex. I. Practice the pronunciation of the following words and word combinations:

staffing, complicated, ongoing, qualified, hiring, thought, key, written, associated, experience, through, simplify, comments, easier, establish, efficient, unfortunately, disciplinary, violating, fairly.

recruitment sources, mass media, specific skills, duties and responsibilities, job hunters, trade unions, professional associations, qualified personnel, suggesting questions, break the ice, successful applicants, employee evaluation, acceptable behavior, compensate adequately.

Ex. II. A. Copy the following terms and memorize their meanings:

to accept - принимать, допускать, признавать; to advertise - рекламировать; помещать объявление (в СМИ), advertisement - объявление; реклама; анонс, извещение; to conduct - проводить; вести, руководить; duty - служебные обязанности; долг; goal - задача, цель; to impose - налагать (ограничения, штраф); penalty - наказание; взыскание; штраф; to qualify - давать квалификацию; приобретать квалификацию, профессию, qualified - квалифицированный; компетентный, сведущий; staffing - кадровое обеспечение; to utilize - использовать, употреблять; to violate - нарушать, преступать (закон, соглашение).

B. Read the sentences and translate them into Russian.

1. The company conducted in-depth interviews with potential users in three states.

2. The College cannot accept responsibility for items lost or stolen.

3. If you want to attract more customers, try advertising in the national press.

4. I spend a lot of my time on administrative duties.

5. A goal should be thought of as an agreement between a manager and an employee.

6. The court can impose fines of up to two million euros.

7. If talks fail, the government could impose pay cuts on the workers.

8. You can withdraw money from the account at any time without penalty.

9. The authorities have the power to impose penalties.

10. She qualified as an accountant last year.

11. This training course will qualify you for a better job.

12. She’s extremely well qualified for the job.

C. Put the verbs in brackets into the required tense form. Translate the sentences.

1. The company’s new Internet service (to advertise - Present Perfect Passive) heavily on television.

2. The new system (to mean - Present Simple Active) the capacity of vehicles (to utilize - Present Simple Passive) more fully.

3. Your duties (to include - Future Simple Active) setting up a new computer system.

4. He (to violate - Past Continuous Active) the company’s rules about making personal phone calls.

5. He (to accept - Past Simple Active) a position as vice-president of corporate development.

6. The advertisement (to appear - Past Simple Active) on TV last night.

7. The article (to give - Present Simple Active) advice on how to conduct yourself in an interview.

8. One advertisement (to show - Present Simple Active) a man driving a car on a golf course.

9. Goals and deadlines often (to motivate - Present Simple Active) employees.

10. Staffing (to be – Present Simple Active) a complicated process that involves a lot of activities.

Ex. III. Memorize the meanings of the following words:

guilt - вина;

to intend - намереваться; планировать;

step - шаг, поступок; действие;

to simplify - упрощать, делать более простым;

to set up - устанавливать; основывать, открывать (дело, предприятие);

to widen - расширять.

Read the sentences and translate them into Russian.

1. We’ll set up a meeting to discuss the issue.

2. She left the company to set up her own business.

3. We need to take steps to prevent this from happening again.

4. Most employees see the shorter contracts as a backward step.

5. Management took the unusual step of allowing everyone to go home early.

6. I’ll explain how to install the program step by step.

7. The gap between income and expenditure has widened to 11%.

8. Guilt for poorly behaved children usually lies with the parents.

9. I didn’t intend her to see the painting until it was finished.

10. The law needs to be simplified.

Ex. IV. Use correct pronouns (any, some, no, anyone, someone, no one).

1. This work is very simple. ______ can do it.

2. We advertised in several newspapers, but _____replied.

3. Ask him _____ questions about his former employer.

4. Try to convince them that you can do the work better than _____ else.

5. I didn’t get this job. _____ else was accepted.

6. We should invite as many people as possible. _____ help will be useful.

7. My brother is never satisfied: _____ job is good enough for him.

8. Many local businesses are having difficulties, and _____ have even gone bankrupt.

9. ‘When are you planning to hire _____?‘ ‘As soon as we find _____ suitable.’

10. Always check the details carefully before you sign _____ written agreement.

11. I knocked on the door but _____ answered.

12. _____ likes being criticized.

13. If you say _____ word they'll recognize you.

14. I see _____ reason why I should do so.

15. Could I have _____ more tea, please?

16. _____ can make a mistake.

Ex. V. Use correct forms of the verbs be and have. Mind different meanings and functions of these verbs depending on the context.

1. All managers _____ responsible for managing human resources.

2. Many firms _____ a personal department.

3. The goal of this program _____ to ensure employee competence.

4. He _____ performed his task perfectly.

5. The disciplinary actions _____ performed in three stages.

6. You _____ to compensate your workers adequately.

7. Sometimes firing can _____ avoided by transfer to another job.

8. We _____ hired several new sales representatives.

9. They _____ been hired after detailed interviews.

10. There _____ three steps in an effective disciplinary program.

11. Penalties _____ imposed fairly.

12. Penalties _____ to be imposed fairly.

13. All penalties _____ been imposed fairly.

14. Top management _____ complete responsibility for the whole organization and also _____ the authority to run it.

15. Middle management _____ to do with a lower level of the firm, such as a department within a division.

16. The person delegating authority _____ to keep overall responsibility for the decision.

Ex. VI. Revise the functions of it. Translate the sentences into Russian.

1. I would like to get this job. It interests me very much.

2. Say that again. It is very interesting.

3. It is interesting to note that some organizations prefer filling their vacancies from inside.

4. It is important to realize that hiring is only one element in staffing.

5. Let’s look at the role of advertising. It is important for finding the best qualified people.

6. It is quite possible that information given in a resume invokes some doubt.

7. Sometimes it is difficult to decide what to stress and what to leave out.

8. What about education? It is my weak point.

9. A resume is a short summary of the candidate's background and qualifications. It includes a description of the type of job the applicant is seeking.

10. Ask for a reference; it is necessary for making your opinion more sound.

Ex. VII. Read the texts using correct forms of the verbs (Gerund or Infinitive). Translate the texts into Russian; do it in written form.

1. By recruitment we mean the process of (obtain) a supply of new workers who would like to enter an organization. The process of recruitment involves (prepare) a job description, (design) a means of (advertise) the vacancy, (screen) the applications received, (interview) a number of applicants and (make) a choice. Some organizations as “headhunters”, (recruit) staff for them, especially for managerial jobs.

2. By (interview) applicants you get the possibility (find out) what each of them is really like. Before you get to the interview stage you will have (screen) the applicants. If the list is long, (screen) process will not be an easy task. After (reject) the majority of those who don’t seem suitable for the position, you are ready (start) (interview) the remaining four or five candidates. You should (prepare) the questions that would make the interview more efficient. There may be, for example, test questions, such as (describe) a typical event in your business and ask what each person would do in this situation.

Ex. VIII. Make up questions paying attention to word order. These may come in handy when conducting a job interview.

1. best/What/of/is/the/part/job/worst/your/part/and/present?

2. do/easiest/bit/What/your/of/and/work/bit/find/you/hat/the/difficult?

3. you/How/do/boss/rate/present/your?

4. your/describe/boss/you/ideal/Could?

5. consider/and/What/to/do/you/greatest/be/your/why/success?

6. to/why/greatest/What/consider/be/you/failure/your/and/do?

7. last/were/angry/When/you/work/at?

8. caused/anger/the/What?

9. job/is/are/most/to/What/important/you/for/about/the/you/looking?

10. of/will/your/and/think/friends/What/your/family/new/job?

11. strengths/What/your/are/greatest?

12. What/weaknesses/are/your?

13. the/worries/you/about/most/job/What?

14. about/What/you/excites/the/most/job?

Ex. IX. Read the sentences and translate them, paying attention to the verb make.

1. The company has been making quality furniture for over 200 years.

2. They met while they were making a film.

3. Make a list of all the things you need.

4. I can’t make a decision just yet.

5. I need to make a quick phone call.

6. You could have made more effort to talk to him.

7. I can’t work when the children make a lot of noise.

8. I suppose we should make a start on cleaning this room.

9. His attitude made him very unpopular with colleagues.

10. My parents always make me do my homework before I go out.

11. I was made to wait four hours before I was examined by a doctor.

12. They made a profit of £140 million.

13. His one aim in life was to make money.

14. He’s made a fortune selling computers on the Internet.

15. Try to make use of my advice.

16.Communication with the head office has been made easier by the fax.