HRM Planning Functions - Assignment Example

HRM planning functions HR planning is influenced by both external as well as internal factors and these have to be taken into consideration in ensuring the viability of the organisation. Against this background, the aim of this report essay is to analyse and evaluate this assertion with the aim of appreciating the theoretical functions of HR planning in the day to day operations of a given organisation. The report will analyse the external and internal factors that affect the operations of JBS Australia Pty Ltd which is a foreign owned private company owned by Brazilian-based JBS SA, the world's largest meat processor. The discussion will also outline various issues that can affect HR planning at policy level within the organisation. It also seeks to discuss the measures that can be implemented within the next five years in order to influence an effective HR planning strategy. Introduction In any organisation, human resources management (HRM) plays a very important function to its survival and viability. As such, this report is mainly concerned with outlining a critical analysis of the use of internal and external environments of an organisation within the context of HR planning. The report will focus on the operations of JBS Australia Pty Ltd which is a foreign owned private company owned by Brazilian-based JBS SA, the world's largest meat processor. The report starts by outlining the overview of the company and this will be followed by explanation of key concepts. Internal as well as external factors will be explained in detail as well as the measures that can be put in place within the next five years in order to improve the operations of the organisation with regards to its HR functions. Company overview According to IBISWorld (2009), “JBS Australia Pty Ltd is a foreign owned private company owned by Brazilian-based JBS SA, the world's largest meat processor. Swift Australia generates the majority of its income from the processing and distribution of meat and its by-products.” This company is based in Riverview, Queensland and it employs over 4,000 people. JBS Australia is responsible for processing and distributing meat products such as beef, mutton, lamb, Veal and offal as well as other by-products such as hides, skins, blood and bone among others. The company operates the following brands: King Island Beef, Swift Premium Beef, Tasmanian Premium Beef, Friboi Beef and Beef City Black. HRM planning functions Planning with regards to human resources management (HRM) is primarily concerned with defining the goals, establishing strategy, and developing plans to coordinate activities (Robbins, 1993). Given that this company is foreign based, it can be noted that there are various internal as well as external factors that can affect some of the HR planning functions. These functions are usually categorized into various groups such as selection and recruitment, job analysis and design as well as retention of the workforce. Planning with regards to HR functions includes the concepts mentioned above and selection is widely seen as one of the basic tenets of HRM in an organisation. Selection involves “choosing the best applicants from a number of candidates who have applied for a particular job in the organisation taking into consideration the requirements of the position and that of the organisation,” (Armstrong, 1999 p.39). On the other hand, job design means identifying and organising tasks, duties and responsibilities that have to be carried out at work (Kleynhans, 2007). These factors have a direct bearing on the HR functions that are related to planning whereby all the activities are coordinated in such a way the an organisation can achieve its goals. Internal HR factors In every organisation, it is the duty of the HRM to ensure that it has a culture that can make it different from other companies. Whilst there are many factors that affect the operations of a given organisation such as competition, economic, social as well as political factors, it can be argued that HRM plays a pivotal role in planning the operations of the organisation such that there is compliance with set goals. Jackson et al (2001) posit to the effect that HRM planning includes that are closely related to staffing, training and development, performance review and evaluation as well as compensation of the employees. Human resources approach JBS Australia Pty Ltd is a foreign owned private company owned by Brazilian-based JBS SA and it acts within the confines of specific HR functions. In order to operate viably, there are internal factors that affect issues related to HR planning such as the need to satisfy the needs of the employees. The recruitment and selection process of the employees is carefully planned such that the needs of the organisation as well as the employees are met. This helps it to plan as well as formulate meaningful policies that are meant to improve the operations of the organisation as a whole. It is easier for the organisation to design different jobs given that clearly outlined policies are in place. Human resources development The other important aspect that affects HR planning efforts is human resources development (HRD) which is utilised by the company to constantly develop the employees such that they are in a better position to keep pace with the changing environment that is obtaining on the ground at that particular moment. Thus, “HRD refers to all the methods used by an organisation to help its employees to develop their skills at work,” (Kleynhans et al, 2007). The company carefully selects the skills that need to be developed to improve the performance standards of the employees. Since organisations operate in a dynamic environment, this strategy is very useful towards improving the performance of the employees for the betterment of the organisation as a whole. JBS Australia Pty Ltd also regularly conducts a job analysis since it enables the HR managers to carefully plan the tasks that can be assigned to different employees. Information related to identifying the skills needed in performing certain job tasks allow the managers to carefully plan various jobs. External factors As noted, JBS Australia Pty Ltd is a foreign owned private company owned by Brazilian-based JBS SA hence it is guided by different policy frameworks that are set by the host country in which it is operating. The HRM is mainly influenced by the legal framework in its recruitment efforts as well as other functions of the organisation. Basically, recruitment which forms a very important element of HR planning can be defined as “those activities that are undertaken by the HRM in a bid to attract sufficient job candidates who have the necessary potential, competencies to fill the job needs and these can assist the organisation in achieving its objectives.” (Swanepoel, 1998, p. 291) From this perspective, it can be noted that there are various external factors that are related to the legal framework of Australia that related to the key concepts of HRM planning. Fair Work Act 2009 The Fair Work Act 2009 in Australia is a law that requires all the organisations to take into consideration fair employment practices in different areas such as recruitment and selection processes utilised by any given organisation. This law stipulates that there is no person who is supposed to be unfairly treated due to aspects such as gender, sex, religion or creed. Given that it is an offence to violate this law, many organisations are compelled to practice fair recruitment efforts every time in order to avoid lawsuits that can be filed against them. In most cases, organisations that fail to give due consideration to this legal requirement risk losing business as their credibility will be tarnished. On a similar note, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act is another piece of legislation that affects the human resources planning efforts of the given organisation. The law does not allow any organisation to recruit people who are below the age of fourteen years as this will be tantamount to exploitation. Failure to comply with this regulation can result in companies losing money through lawsuits that can be filed against them. Global/international HRM policies As a result of globalisation, it is now possible for different organisations to operate in different countries hence there are certain rules that guide their operations. Given such a scenario, HRM policies of multi national or international organisations such as JBS Australia Pty Ltd which is a foreign owned private company owned by Brazilian-based JBS SA should be standardised in such a way that they will work as a framework for policy formulation with regards to the working conditions of all workers employed by the company. Some of the policies that may not be compatible with the value system of original members of the country may not be easy to implement. Measures that can be implemented However, more research needs to be done in order for the company to be completely inclusive in its operations. It seems the indigenous people such as the Aborigines are not fairly included in the workforce. Such an anomaly needs to be addressed in the next five years in order to dispel suggestions likely to be raised that the company is somehow discriminatory. The HRM should ensure that policies that promote equity within the organisation are put in place in order to be accommodative to all people regardless of their race or religion. This improves their chances of positively identifying with the organisation. Conclusion Over and above, it can be noted that JBS Australia Pty Ltd is a foreign owned private company owned by Brazilian-based JBS SA and it employs 4000 workers. There are various HR planning functions that affect the operations of this organisation and these can be classified as internal as well as external factors. These include HR functions such as recruitment, selection, job design and analysis as well as external factors such as legal issues that shape the operations of all organisations. It is important for this organisation in question to put measures in place in order to ensure that its employment policies are accommodative to indigenous people who are still marginalised. References Aitoro JR 22 August 2011, ‘When it comes to recruiting and retaining employees with disabilities, local companies should understand the legal requirements are just a starting point Washington Business Journal,’ Washington Business Journal, viewed 22 August, 2011, Armstrong, M 1999, Human Resources Management Practice. 7th Edition. Kogan Page Limited: NY. Fair Work Act 2009, viewed 22 August, 2011 http://www.comlaw.gov.au/Series/C2009A00028 IBISWorld, 28-Dec-2009, JBS Australia Pty Limited - Premium Company Report Australia, viewed 22 August, 2011, Jackson, SE & Schuler, R 2000, Managing Human Resources: A Partnership Perspective, South Western College Publishing, NY. Kleynhans R. et al (2007), Human Resource Management: fresh perspectives, Prentice Hall. Prafdar, EW 2001, Looking to bring your first employee on board? 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