Synopsis for Part A of Assignment 2

There are a number of elements that can help in the study of HRM that have been covered in the two guest lectures. The first of these lectures was from Consult Capital on the 23rd January 2012 and the second was on 27th February 2012 and was from Caroline Willgoose. Caroline is the Personnel Manager from the John Lewis store in Cardiff.
There is one difference between these two companies that stands out above any other element. This is the idea that each company conducts itself with either a ‘hard’ or ‘soft’ approach to Human Resource Management (HRM). ‘In essence, the ‘soft’, or what others have called ‘high commitment’ HRM, sees employees – both managerial and non-managerial – as part of the solution rather than the problem’, Bratton & Gold (2003 p.32). ‘Soft’ HRM is the idea that the employees are treated as the most important resource the organisation possesses and their needs are paramount. The hierarchy is far less highly stacked than that of the ‘hard’ approach. ‘The ‘hard’ version emphasized the term ‘resource’ and adopted a ‘rational’ approach to managing employees, that is, viewing employees as any other economic factor, as a cost that had to be controlled’, Bratton & Gold (2003 p.6 ). So, ‘Hard’ HRM is different in the fact that an organisation with this approach sees its employees and workforce as just another resource and offers little to them in regards to incentives and opportunities.
John Lewis takes the approach of soft HRM as they really do value their employees as the most important resource that they own. They’re a partnership and so the whole workforce is considered shareholders while they are in employment within the business. They offer many benefits and incentives including the Music Society and Sailing club for members to get involved with.
Consult Capital however, is edging further towards