HRM101 Human Resource Management – Assessment Task 2

Assessment Overview

Course Code: HRM101

Course Title: Introduction to Human Resource Management

Assessment Type: Written Analytical Report

Weighting: 40 percent

Length Requirement: 2,000 to 2,500 words

Due Date: Friday, Week 10, 5:00 PM

Submission Format: Microsoft Word document uploaded to the Learning Management System

Referencing Style: APA 7th Edition

Assessment Context

Human resource management operates within complex economic, social, political, and global environments. Organisations rely on structured HR processes to recruit, select, develop, manage, and retain employees while complying with legal and ethical standards. This assessment requires students to integrate weekly tutorial topics into a single professional report that demonstrates applied knowledge of core HRM functions.

The task reflects authentic workplace expectations. Graduates entering business, management, and human resource roles must be able to design job descriptions, recruitment plans, performance systems, and employee wellbeing initiatives. This assessment evaluates the ability to apply HRM theory to practical organisational situations.

Purpose of the Assessment

The purpose of this assessment is to develop professional capability in analysing human resource management problems and designing appropriate solutions. Students must demonstrate an understanding of the major HRM activities covered in Weeks 1 to 10 of the course and apply them to realistic business scenarios.

Learning Outcomes Assessed

On successful completion of this task, students will be able to:

• Explain the organisational and environmental context of human resource management.
• Design job descriptions and key performance indicators.
• Develop structured recruitment and selection processes.
• Outline induction and onboarding programs.
• Evaluate performance management and employee support systems.
• Analyse workplace conflict and propose resolution strategies.
• Design appropriate reward management systems.
• Identify occupational health and safety issues and prevention strategies.

Assessment Task Description

Students are required to prepare an integrated HRM report that addresses the following ten components. Each section must be presented as a clearly labelled heading within the report.

Part A – HRM Context

Outline the economic, social, political, and global contexts in which human resource management operates. Discuss how these contexts influence HR policies and organisational decision making.

Part B – Job Analysis and KPIs

Develop a job description for the role of a university student. Include responsibilities, required skills, and expected behaviours. Determine three measurable Key Performance Indicators that could be used to assess performance in this role.

Part C – Recruitment and Selection Plan

Your organisation requires a new sales representative. Create a detailed plan covering recruitment methods, selection criteria, interview questions, and final decision-making processes.

Part D – Induction Program

Outline a structured induction program for a new graduate accountant joining a large accounting firm. Include orientation activities, training components, and evaluation methods.

Part E – Performance Management

Explain four methods for assessing employee performance. Describe the four principles of an Employee Assistance Program. Explain the disciplinary model used in organisations and outline the most common disciplinary issues.

Part F – Workplace Conflict

Discuss both the positive and negative aspects of workplace conflict. Analyse the methods managers can use to resolve conflict effectively.

Part G – Reward Management

Formulate an optimal total reward management system for one of the following options:

1. A small café located in a major city.
2. A large publicly listed company.

Part H – Occupational Health and Safety

Explain three workplace occupational health and safety issues. For each issue, identify the causes, effects on employees and organisations, and strategies for prevention.

Report Structure Requirements

The final submission must follow professional academic report format and include:

• Title page with student details
• Table of contents
• Introduction
• Eight clearly labelled content sections
• Conclusion
• Reference list

Headings and subheadings must be used to organise information logically. Bullet points and tables may be used where appropriate.

Formatting Requirements

• Font: Arial or Calibri, size 12
• Line spacing: 1.5
• Page numbers required
• Standard academic language
• APA 7th edition referencing
• Minimum of six academic sources

Marking Criteria and Rubric

The assessment will be graded using the following criteria.

• Understanding of HRM context and theory – 20 percent
• Application of concepts to practical scenarios – 30 percent
• Quality of analysis and critical thinking – 20 percent
• Structure, clarity, and professional presentation – 15 percent
• Use of academic sources and correct referencing – 15 percent

Submissions that do not meet the minimum word count or that fail to address all sections will receive significant grade penalties.

Academic Integrity Requirements

All work must be original and prepared specifically for this assessment. Plagiarism, contract cheating, or unauthorised use of artificial intelligence tools is strictly prohibited. Submissions will be checked using similarity detection software.

Submission Instructions

Upload the completed report to the HRM101 assessment submission portal before the due date and time. Late submissions will incur penalties according to university policy.

Human resource management operates within multiple external environments that directly shape organisational practice. Economic conditions influence staffing levels, wage decisions, and training budgets. Social factors determine workforce expectations, diversity initiatives, and employee wellbeing priorities. Political and legal frameworks regulate employment relationships through legislation such as minimum wage laws and workplace safety standards. Globalisation further expands HR responsibilities by requiring organisations to manage multicultural teams and international labour markets. Effective HR managers analyse these contextual forces before designing policies or procedures. Recruitment and selection systems must reflect organisational strategy and labour market conditions. Performance management processes require fairness, transparency, and clear measurement standards. Modern workplaces increasingly adopt employee assistance programs to support mental health and productivity (Dessler, 2020, https://www.pearson.com). Strategic HRM therefore connects people management practices with long-term organisational success.

 References

Dessler, G. (2020). Human Resource Management (16th ed.). Pearson Education. https://www.pearson.com/store/p/human-resource-management/P100002742558

Armstrong, M., & Taylor, S. (2023). Armstrong’s Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice (16th ed.). Kogan Page. https://www.koganpage.com

Noe, R., Hollenbeck, J., Gerhart, B., & Wright, P. (2021). Fundamentals of Human Resource Management (9th ed.). McGraw Hill Education. https://www.mheducation.com

Stone, R., Cox, A., & Gavin, M. (2022). Human Resource Management (10th ed.). Wiley Australia. https://www.wiley.com

Australian Government Fair Work Ombudsman. (2024). Workplace rights and obligations. https://www.fairwork.gov.au