As the human resources department covers a large amount of tasks and functions I have decided to cover the main activities that are most important to the organisation.
On being employed the employees will receive a contact, which will cover things such as availability of shifts, job security terms and conditions and the working environment. To have a clean and modern working environment ensures that the company image is upheld.
Training is an essential part of any successful business. HSBC need to ensure that they offer the right type of training to allow their employees to keep up to date with new procedures and develop within the company. This will ensure that HSBC have a strong, committed workforce. Training is carried out in many ways depending of the specific job role. The most common form of training used by many businesses is on the job training and various induction processes. On the job training and the induction process ensures that employees get familiar with the company’s culture and provides them with essential knowledge needed to carry out their job efficiently. Also training is a great form of motivation as employees feel that there are always opportunities to better themselves. Some of the main benefits associated with training and development include:
- A flexible workforce
- High levels of motivation
- Job satisfaction
- Improved company image
HSBC have a department solely focused on the training and development of their employees. They ensure that each employee receives the relevant type of training for them to carry out their job in the best possible way. HSBC devise a new training plan every 6 months to ensure their training procedures stay relevant and up to date. However, a downside to providing all this training is the high cost levels of proving it. HSBC have to set aside a certain amount of capital to carry out this training and development.
To ensure that a business stays ahead in the market it is important that performance of each employee is monitored correctly. This ensures that their working standards stay at a consistent level and improvements are made where needed. It also gives employees a chance to discuss any issues that effect the way they work and set goals and aims that they can work towards.
HSBC take performance management very seriously and make sure the work and achievements made by employees do not go unnoticed. Every employee sets goals and objectives relevant to their job role to ensure they carry out their work in the best way possible. This is a very time consuming process but is a process that recognises that each employee is different and makes for a very efficient workforce.
HSBC follow an inspiring culture known as ‘CLICK’
Client Driven – Their customers are the basis of everything they work towards
Lead & Inspire – Each employee can make a difference
Innovate – To stay ahead of competition HSBC need to be innovative in each department
Commitment – HSBC believe that success can only be achieved through one another
Knowledge – HSBC believe that knowledge is the most important thing they can invest into each of their employees.
- Health and Safety at Work
Laws and legislations are constantly changing and inevitably affect the way in which companies carry out their day-to-day business. The most frequently changing laws are those associated with health and safety. Companies must make sure they have concise fire safety instructions and the correct number of first aid boxes in relation to the amount of employees they have. Many employees now take first aid courses and for those that work around heavy machinery intense first aid training is a must to ensure their safety at all times.
- Recruitment and Retention
The human resources department deals with all recruitment and dismissals. An evaluation of their current employee situation is undertaken and the results will show whether a vacancy is available.
Many organisations carry out employee appraisals to evaluate its workforce. This allows a business to see whether dismissals need to be made or whether further training is needed.
An employee may need to be dismissed form an organisation for many reasons. Reasons could include; theft, constant tardiness or lack of discipline. HSBC’s three main sources of recruitment are:
- Job Agencies
- Advertising in Newspapers
- The HSBC Website
When recruiting HSBC has to follow strict criteria to ensure fairness in their selection and that they get the right person for the job. Also the recruitment and selection process is a very costly procedure and so getting it right first time is essential.
Trade unions are set up to solely benefit employees at various organisations. It gives the individual employee a larger backing in disputes that arise over such things as pay or issues about the working environment.
The human resources department is a vital functional area within any organisation. It is crucial that it is in constant communication with other departments to get the best results possible. This department is responsible for the success of employees within a firm and the success of a business depends heavily on this department.
- Appraisals and Termination of Contracts
Appraisals are carried out to monitor the progress of employees and see how effective they are within the organisation. The termination of a contract can be done by the employees themselves or by the organisation. If the employee decides to end the contact they have to give a certain amount of notice and work it out before they can leave. If an employer finds reason to terminate the contract it can be done without notice.
Recruitment and training are two very costly procedures. Training can cost as much as £10, 000 per person, per course. The recruitment process is a very time consuming process. Many organisations advertise job specifications to get a good selection of applicants. It is this advertising that is one of the main costs in the recruitments process.
HSBC has a working strategy that helps them increase their workforce by up to 50%. It is important that this strategy is realistic, measurable and most of all achievable.
It is vital for a large organisation such as HSBC to have a concise and strategic plan they can work towards. Staff should receive a competitive salary and if the company fails to treat its employees fairly them they could loose them to rival firms. This would mean that they would loose all the money they invested into the employees during the recruitment and selection process and their training.
25% of the HSBC workforce is flexible, employees are costly and the company’s main aim is to make profit in the long run.
If HSBC were to need a large amount of staff they must first look at the local trends and patterns specific to the Coventry and Warwickshire area. Also the vacancies that will be presented are likely to be jobs requiring highly skilled candidates. HSBC may find that the skilled labour they are looking for is not sufficient in the Coventry and Warwickshire area and that they have to look elsewhere.
HSBC go through a very precise pattern when they need to recruit staff. First and foremost is the advertising. Usually they go through agencies or local newspapers. Once HSBC receive applications they call the chosen candidates in for an interview. The candidate is asked a series of questions relevant to the job role if these answers meet with HSBC’s criteria then the candidate has a chance to go through to the selection stage. This is where HSBC selects the best and most qualified for the job.
HSBC offer to secure the employees interests. These come in financial and non-financial benefits.
Financial Benefits
- Salary – this is the money the employee is paid for his or her work
- Bonus – employees are rewarded if their performance has been exceptional
- Sick Pay – if employees fall ill and it is confirmed by their doctor they are entitled to a certain amount of time off with pay
- Pension – HSBC offer a range of pension plans for their employees so they can have a comfortable retirement
- Health Insurance – the company offer this to each employee which is a comfort if they become ill
Non-financial Benefits
- Staff are always trained to give them extra skills
- There is a restaurant at HSBC that offers a wide variety of food
- All employees get free parking
- HSBC offer a comfortable and modern work environment
