Human Resource Management in Australia

Question: Write a report about the human resource management in Australia. Answer: Introduction In this particular study, I would demonstrate about my knowledge and experience about human resource management. In order to be more specific, here I would elaborate the knowledge that I have acquired from the class and lectures provided by my professors. Along with that, I would discuss about my classroom experiences. Both the positive as well as negative aspects would be illustrated. Before entering in the main discussion, it is important to mention that the lectures were based on human resource management in Australia. In order to illustrate my knowledge and experience, I have segmented the entire discussion into three sections. In the below sections, I would describe the contents first then analyze as well as evaluate them briefly. Journal 1: Human Resource Management in Australia During the class, I was able to gather the knowledge about human resource management in context of Australia. As per the given lectures, I came to know that the human resources are the most essential resource in an organization. Before discussing about my experience, it is important to elaborate the knowledge that I have gained. In the class, it has been mentioned a number of times that the human resources management helps the businesses to acquire competitive advantages. It is the process through which the organizations analyze and manage the required human resources which would help the organizations to achieve their ultimate goal and objectives. Besides, the lecturers also elaborated that the organizations incorporate different policies and practices in managing the human resources and bringing out their effective roles in business. During the class, I came to know about the human resource activities that include recruitment, screening, selection, training and appraising. This hel p to know which authority looks over the recruitment and promotion activities. Before the class, I was quite unaware about the entire process. At the initial stage of the course, it was difficult for me to gather all idea and knowledge about the concept and keep it in my mind. Not only me, some other students were there that found difficulties in understanding all the activities of the human resource management. Initially, the professors took time to make all the students understand about the human resource management system in an organization. After gathering the basic knowledge and concept of the human resource management, I had asked the professors about the importance of the human resource policies, programs, and plans. It was important for me to understand about that in order to clear my concept more. The lecturers taught us that it was single most difficult, complex, ambiguous, but yet so important task in an organization. I came to know that some specific reasons are there that help to define the importance of effective human resource management. The human resource policies and management helps the organization to identify the potentiality and ability of the workforce. Further, we were taught that the human resource programs help the managers to address the behaviors of the labor force. In Australia, most of the organizations confront cultural diversity in business and thus it is important to identify their behaviors, beliefs, attitudes, and sense of responsibility. Apart from this, I have gathered knowledge how the employers motivate the employees. Certain human resource policies and programs are adapted by the employers to motivate the employees. In the course, the professors discussed about the needs of hiring policy, induction policy, employee policy, training policy, pay and reward policy, promotion policy and so on. The lecturers took time to clear the concept of these policies. After clearing the concept of the human resource management system in an organization, the professors taught us about importance of the human resource software and solution paths. In Australia, information technology (IT) industries are involved in developing the payroll software system and solutions. For example, most of the Australian companies use the HR3 software products to better manage the businesses. The HR3 products include Datapay, Winpay, HR3pay, HR3kiosk and HR3people. Besides, I came to know human resource manage is more important in the organizations that are involved in international and global businesses. Thus, the human resource policies and practices differ among the multinational companies and SMEs (Small and Medium Enterprises). Specific software helps the employers to manage and monitor the labor force in a better manner. During the course, I was able know about the strategic human resource management in the organizations. The lecturers taught us that the strategic human resource management includes discipline, payroll, collaborative manner, quality improvement techniques and identification of mutual benefits. Here, we were taught about the difference between the human resource management and strategic human resource management process. As per my gathered knowledge, I can state that it is important to establish disciplines in order to guide and align human resource management philosophies, tactical planning and practices. This helps the organizations to achieve the long term goals and objectives to drive the business towards success and growth. Furthermore, in the later classes, the lecturers defined that strategic human resource management in a briefer manner. During those classes, I came to know that it gives the employers directions how to build strategic advantages by creating employee value propo sition, labor force involvement in changing organizational landscape, and appropriate communication strategy. Furthermore, the strategic human resource management helps to identify the ethical considerations. This helps the employers to manage the societal impact of the business decision. In Australia, most of the organizations put more focus on the strategic human resource management system. During the classes, the professors elaborated the ethical considerations in a brief manner. I would discuss about the ethical considerations and management process in the later sections of this study. Apart from this, the lecturers discussed about the legal frameworks of human resource management in Australia. I came to know about the major federal and provincial laws that affect the human resource management of the organizations. Most of the Australian employers and employees are applied some specific legislations by the Federal IR System. During the class, the lecturers have discussed about some government rules and regulations that are applied in the Australian organizations. I came to know that the Fair Work Act 2009 is an Australian law in order to reform the industrial relation system in the country. Specific terms and conditions are defined in this act that created some boundaries in which the employers hire the employees. Along with that this particular act considers some laws under which the employers treat the employees in a fair way. Apart from this, the professors provided the lecture about the Public Sector Management Act 1995. In that class, I came to know that it is widely considered in the South Australian organizations. This particular law defines that the organizations should incorporate the best management practices. The lecturers taught us that this particular law is implied on the public sectors to direct them in providing quality service to the public. This act ensures that the organizational decisions are made as fair as possible. As per my experience in the course, the professors could have established more clear idea about the legal context of human resource management in context of the country Australia. More legislations which are applied on the Australian employers and employees could have been discussed in the class. However, during the class, I have noticed my weakness and strength in understanding certain topics. I found that I have major weakness in understanding the government regulations and legislations and their implications in the business. I have consult with my professors and they suggested me contribute some time in gathering knowledge from various books and journals. Journal 2: Recruitment and Diversity Management After providing the lectures on the overview of human resource management along with government regulations and legislations, the lecturers elaborated the recruitment and selection process of the employers. Before attending the class, I did not have the knowledge that recruiting and selecting process includes a number of strategies and processes. This particular classes enhanced my knowledge to the larger extent. The lecturers taught us about the steps that the employers pursue in recruitment and selection hiring process. During the class, I came to know that in most of the Australian organizations, the employers pursue nine steps. As per the discussion, I was taught that the foremost step is identifying the vacancy and the need evaluation of the company. The professors asked us about our knowledge about the process. I answered that the first step is required to identify the skills that the company needs. Without identifying that, the employers would not able to understand what and w hom to recruit. However, the professor taught us about the rest eight steps. The second step is developing position description. Besides, I came to know that these steps help to develop recruitment plan based on which they recruit and select people. Afterward, the employers select the search committee and implement the recruitment plan. Before the interview process, they review the applicants and develop short list based on which they contact the individuals for interview. After going through the interview process, the employers select the individuals who have fulfilled their requirements. Based on the interview result, the final recruitment is done. In this study, I have summarized the knowledge and discussed as my learning outcomes. During this course, we were told to discuss the topic in groups so that we can analyze the lecture provided to us. Through discussing in groups, I was able to know something out of my box. During the lecture, I afraid to ask something to my professor a nd hence I am unable to clear the concept about any topic. Sometimes, I fail to understand that certain topic can be understood in a better way. The group study helped a much in clearing and understanding the concept of recruitment and selection hire process. After completing those classes, the lecturers taught us about the concept of managing diversity and work life balances. It has been mentioned before that the organizations in Australia have cultural diversity in their workplace. The professors stated that due to the cultural diversity, the organizations confronts a number of issues. The most common issues that the employees face is regarding communication. Through the lecture given to us, I came to know that the differences between cultures, languages, beliefs, behaviors and attitudes are the prime reason of the communication problem. Besides, the communication problem creates issues in implementing projects. During that class, I have had a live example that is quite similar to the topic. It provided the brief idea about the topic. Three of our classmates came from China but they know the English language. The problem was they understood the language but found difficulties at the time of speaking to others. Thus, they found problems in participating any learning activities. Further, they had a fear to ask any question to the professors. This example made us understand how the communication gap created problem in the working environment. After discussing the problems and issues that the organizations face, the professors taught us about the strategies that the employers consider for better human resource management. I came to know that the employers apply certain strategies and techniques to deal with the challenge of cultural diversity. During the class, the lecturers discussed about large number of strategies. Though, in this study, I am mentioning the crucial strategies that we should keep in mind. however, it is important to mention that the diversity policies in organizational operations differ from firm to firm. In most of the organizations, the employers foster an attitude of openness in the workplace environment. Besides, the employers encourage the employees for team performances so that they would perf orm more efficiently further, in groups. This strategies and techniques helps the employers to manage good employment relationship. Through the class, I have gathered knowledge about the cultural diversity about which I did not have any previous knowledge. Besides, the lecturers stated more that it is very important for every individual to balance the work life. Here, I need to mention that I had some previous knowledge about this context. Work life balance defines the balance between the professional life and the professional life. However, the lectures provided to us helped me to enhance my knowledge. In additional, the professors discussed that in human resource management, it is an important factor. The reason behind enhancing the work life balance of the employees is to provide mental satisfaction. This would help them to perform more effectively. In this class, I came to know that in human resource management, establishing work life balance is an important factor. However, during the class, I felt that the professors put less importance in this factor. Though, as per my knowledge, this is one of the important factors that the employers should consider in their human resource management plan. Journal 3: Ethics Management and Improving Techniques The professors stated in the lectures that the business ethics is an essential part in managing the human resources. It has been found that many of the Australian organizations' reputation is hampered due to some ethical pitfalls. Apart from this, I came to know that the financial sustainability might be hampered if the employers do not handle the ethics properly. In the class, we were taught that most of the organizations focus on legal considerations in order to maintain the business ethics. Besides, they look over whether the employees have received good working environment or not. Further, the lecturers taught us about improving ways of human resource practices. The employers need to facilitate cooperation with the needs of the employees that help them to build good employee relationship. Besides, I came to know that providing incentive benefits is one of the effective human resource policies. The employees are encouraged and motivated by the incentives provided to them. They try to improve their performance more and thus the employers would receive better outcomes. Besides, the lecturers discussed about some other benefits are provided by the employers in order to retain the employees. During this class, I came to know that the ethical considerations and benefit packages help to establish good reputation of the company in the business market. However, I personally feel that the class was too short to explain the topic. As I feel that we could have been learnt more about the ethics and benefit packages in context of Australia. Conclusion The study concludes the knowledge I have gathered during the course. The course and lectures enhanced my knowledge about human resources management system in Australia. The gathered knowledge would help me in my career life. Besides, during the course and group study, I was able to identify my strengths and weaknesses in understanding the topic. The group study and the lectures provided during the class helped me to enhance my knowledge about human resource management system. However, I could have cleared my idea more about some of the context. 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