Reference no: EM132229654
Would you answer the 4 questions about Ford Company case study. (strategic HRM)
Equal Opportunities in Ford. The Company’s commitment to the principle of equal opportunity in employment has been a long standing feature of its employment practices and procedures. The Company feels that real progress can only be made by practical day to day commitment to promote equal opportunities at the grass roots level of the workplace. Ford considers it has a significant role to play as a major employer and welcomes this social responsibility.
The Company’s workforce reflects the mixed community from which it recruits employees. It is clear that the contribution made by minority groups and women to its business performance is substantial and increasing. It is also in the best interests of the Company, its management and all employees that these talents and resources are fully utilized. This can most effectively be achieved by taking action to foster a fully integrated community at work, through the practical implementation of an Equal Opportunities Policy.
This Policy is based upon the Company’s commitment to recruit the best employees and not to discriminate on the grounds of race, religious beliefs, creed, color, nationality, ethnic or national origins, marital/parental status or gender. The Company is also opposed to any form of discrimination against employees or job applicants on the grounds of non-job related disabilities and unfair discrimination on the grounds of age.
To support these principles, the Company will actively promote equal opportunities through the application of employment policies which ensure that individuals receive treatment that is fair, equitable and consistent with their relevant aptitudes, potential, skills and abilities. To safeguard individual rights under the Policy, any employee who believes that he or she has been treated inequitably by the Company, within the scope of the Policy, may raise the matter through the appropriate grievance procedures. The Company will ensure that any employee making a complaint of unfair discrimination will be protected from victimization. The company will continue to ensure the advertising of vacancies is compatible with its Equal Opportunities Policy, both in placement and content.
No applicant or employee will be placed at a disadvantage by requirements or conditions that are not necessary for the performance of the job and which constitute indirect unfair discrimination. Furthermore, the Company will ensure that individuals are selected and promoted on the basis of their relevant aptitudes, skills and abilities, using equitable assessment techniques. All employees will be encouraged to take advantage of training and personal development facilities to advance themselves at work.
It is the duty of all employees to accept personal responsibility for the practical application of this Policy, but at the same time, the Company acknowledges that specific responsibilities fall upon management, supervisors and individuals professionally involved in recruitment and employee administration. It provides training for this also. The Policy will help to create the necessary conditions for success, but it is for each employee to make his or her own contribution. To this end, the Policy will be brought to the attention of every employee and job applicant and it will be kept under regular review.
Equal Opportunities is not merely an issue of fairness. To attract and retain the very best talent, the Company has committed itself to the principles which ensure employees can develop and demonstrate their full potential. Ford has identified the diversity of its workforce as a key element of its strategy to achieve competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive global market.
Read the above case and answer the following questions:
a) Ford has identified the diversity of its workforce as a key element of its strategy to achieve competitive advantage in an increasingly competitive global market and they are committed to equal opportunities in employment. Explain the term ‘intended HR practice’. (2m) Outline Ford’s intended HR practices to achieve diversity and equal opportunities in employment. (5 marks)
b) If you were the HR manager suggest what steps you might take to ensure that the actual HR practices reflect the intended HR practices. (5 Marks)
c) How do you think these intended HR practices will be perceived by the employees (3 marks)
d) Choose any two of the intended HR practices and discuss the likely impact they will have on HR outcomes if they are implemented correctly. (10 marks)