HRM2605 Assignment 6 (DETAILED ANSWERS) Semester 2 2024 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED

HRM2605 Assignment 6 (DETAILED ANSWERS) Semester 2 2024 - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED - DISTINCTION GUARANTEED Answers, guidelines, workings and references........ QUESTION 1 [25 marks] Read the following scenario and then answer the questions that follow. Godfrey Makobane is the plant manager of a light assembly plant in Cape Town. Approximately a year ago, Melvin Alers, the plant manager from a similar facility in Gauteng, visited the Cape Town plant. During the visit, the two managers compared various metrics, including absenteeism and turnover rates. Melvin's plant reported an average absenteeism and turnover rate of 5% each. In contrast, Godfrey discovered that his Cape Town plant had much higher rates: 10% absenteeism and 12% turnover. Concerned about these discrepancies, Godfrey met with his HR manager, Ms Amusa, and his two supervisors to address the issue. During the meeting, Nomvuyo Bekwa, one of the supervisors, suggested that there might be a connection between job satisfaction and the high rates of absenteeism and turnover at the Cape Town plant. A consultant was hired to investigate further, and a job satisfaction survey was administered to the Cape Town employees. The results of the survey were summarised as follows: Job Satisfaction category Percentage (%) of satisfied employees (Happy) Percentage (%) of dissatisfied employees (unhappy) The job itself 40% 60% Relationships with co-workers 49% 51% Immediate supervisor 45% 55% Career development/promotions 37% 63% Compensation and benefits 20% 80% The work environment 35% 65% Godfrey was surprised by the low levels of job satisfaction reflected in the survey results, which were far below what he had anticipated for the plant's first assessment of employee satisfaction. 1.1 As the consultant who administered the job satisfaction survey, interpret the findings in the table and provide Godfrey with detailed feedback. In your response: 1.1.1 Discuss each job satisfaction category, explaining possible reasons for the dissatisfaction indicated in the survey results. (6) HRM2605: Assessment 06 Semester 02 (2024) 8 © UNISA 2024 1.1.2 Conclude your feedback by summarising the four categories with the highest levels of dissatisfaction among employees. (4) 1.2 From a line manager’s perspective, suggest possible solutions to improve employees’ job satisfaction and morale and reduce employee turnover and absenteeism. In your answer, identify [5 marks] and discuss [5 marks] five HR functions or processes that must be implemented or enhanced to address the identified issues and improve job satisfaction. (10) 1.3 What are the potential consequences for the Cape Town branch if Godfrey does not address the challenges and fails to improve employees’ job satisfaction? (5) QUESTION 2 [15 marks] I asked ChatGPT to generate a response to the following question: You are a line manager in a medium to large organisation. What is your main role and responsibility in the following HR functions: 2.1 Workforce planning 2.2 Recruitment and selection 2.3 Orientation and onboarding 2.4 Performance management 2.5 Training and development Below is the response obtained from ChatGPT (ChatGPT, 2024): As a line manager in a medium to large organisation, your main role and responsibility in the following HR functions are: 2.1 Workforce Planning • Forecasting Needs: Anticipate future staffing requirements based on business goals and operational demands. 2.2 Recruitment and Selection • Interviewing Candidates: Participate in the selection process by assessing candidates' suitability for the team and organisational culture. 2.3 Orientation and Onboarding • Facilitating Integration: Ensure new employees are welcomed, trained, and properly integrated into the team. HRM2605: Assessment 06 Semester 02 (2024) 9 © UNISA 2024 2.4 Performance Management • Setting and Monitoring Goals: Establish clear performance objectives and provide regular feedback to ensure employees meet expectations. 2.5 Training and Development • Identifying Development Needs: Assess employees’ skill gaps and recommend relevant training to support their growth. This focuses on the key responsibilities in each function as a line manager. Source: Copied verbatim from ChatGPT (2024) for educational purposes. Critically analyse the response (above) generated by ChatGPT concerning the main role and responsibility of a line manager in the HR functions identified. Evaluate the accuracy of each point (or bullet) by comparing it to the information in the prescribed material. Indicate whether each point is correct or incorrect [1 mark per function] and support your evaluation with appropriate references from the prescribed material [2 marks per evaluation]. Organise your response logically by listing each point from the ChatGPT response and providing your analysis and reference for each. Note that responses without references will receive a mark of 0. (15) GUIDELINES FOR ANSWERING QUESTION 2 To answer the question satisfactorily, follow these steps: 1 Begin by clearly understanding what each HR function (workforce planning, recruitment and selection, orientation and onboarding, performance management, training and development) involves, focusing on a line manager's key roles and responsibilities. 2 Read the prescribed material thoroughly. Compare each point made in ChatGPT's response with the information in the prescribed material to determine if it is accurate and aligns with the theory. 3 For each point in the ChatGPT response, determine whether it is correct or incorrect based on the prescribed material. List each point from ChatGPT in the same order and provide your evaluation and references accordingly, briefly explaining why each point is correct or incorrect. Ensure each evaluation is supported with a reference to the prescribed material to earn full marks. Use the following structure as an example for your analysis: Point from ChatGPT: Quote the specific point. Accuracy: State whether it is correct or incorrect. Supporting explanation and reference: Provide a brief explanation, with a reference from the prescribed material that supports your evaluation. HRM2605: Assessment 06 Semester 02 (2024) 10 © UNISA 2024 QUESTION 3 [5 marks] What is the most valuable skill you have gained from this module [1 mark], and how do you believe it will help you as a line manager manage human resources and contribute to achieving organisational goals [4 marks]?