Reference no: EM132920205

GSBS6040 Human Resource Management - The University of Newcastle

Assessment 1 - Problem-based learning

DESCRIPTION OF THE ISSUE

You are working for the HR department of a large company in Australia. A few international articles have been published over the past year claiming that the number of premature babies decreased during lockdowns. In Denmark for instance, the first reports seem to show a 90% drop of the rate of babies born before 28 weeks of gestation (see full article in appendix). This led to an internal conversation about the how to improve family's health and work-life balance in the workplace but also how to reshape the HR strategy and mission in the post-COVID-19 crisis stage. You are now asked to provide an analysis of this issue and discuss the possible implications for your company.

INSTRUCTIONS

Using the article below as a starting point for reflection (It's tempting to believe good news. But are there really fewer premature babies in lockdown? We're likely clutching at straws, 2020), and using the problem-based learning (PBL) method, you may want to discuss topics such as Strategic HRM, HRM in context, employee voice, or HR planning.

The report could be written taking many different angles. Rather than giving a broad but superficial analysis, narrow your argumentation to a clear research question and focusing on one angle of the problem in particular, use the problem-based learning method (see matrix in method folder) to elaborate your manuscript (up to 2000 words) based on both academic research and practical resources (e.g., reports, newspapers, industry / unions / governments websites). Put yourself as an expert and think that your document is expected to be read by both the heads of the strategy and HR departments.

The manuscript should be able to respond some of the following questions: How can organisations improve work-life balance? Provide more gender equity in the quality of their working conditions but also opportunities? What are your advice to organisations which want to redevelop a new strategy and HR philosophy going in that direction? What have we learned from the COVID-19 lockdowns that could improve the work life of employees?

While the introduction would define the key concepts and demonstrate why and how the research question is important, the core of the manuscript would aim at demonstrating your ability to apply HRM concepts and theories (please avoid describing the case, only mention what is necessary). Additionally, a specific section would be dedicated to managerial implications for HR practitioners (please avoid bullet points). The reference list would be formatted using the APA style. The appendix reports your PBL matrix.

Attachment:- Human Resource Management.rar