Reference no: EM132224901

Topic - Trends in employment contracts: permanent vs. short term

The relationship between the organization and the individual employee is undergoing a radical transformation.

PROJECT

The Group Project is divided into two components:
- Component 1: A written statement of purpose
- Component 2: A group presentation

COMPONENT 1: WRITTEN STATEMENT OF PURPOSE

- Each group (3 to 4 students) will be required to present a topic (listed below). Once groups are formed, the name of each student and the topic must be handed to the lecturer by week 3. Please note that groups and topics cannot be changed afterwards.
- Topics to be discussed may be selected from the list below, include an in-depth presentation of one of the required textbook's chapters, or be suggested by the students with approval of the course tutor. No overlapping in topics should occur.
- A written statement of purpose proposal is due in session 4; one per group. Length: 1 to 2 pages. This is part of the presentation grade.

It is to be submitted via Turnitin. The statement of purpose has the following aims to:
o Assist group formation
o Provide a timely milestone in the development of the presentation
o Assist with time management
o Give an opportunity for the course tutor to provide feedback in advance of the presentation.

Choose ONE of the Following Topics

1. Assessment Centers
Many companies rely on assessment centers in the employee selection process. Assessment centers employ a variety of techniques and observers in a closed setting to evaluate candidates. Many large organizations maintain their own assessment centers, and there are many independent centers specialized in specific business sectors. Present a critical analysis of what takes place in assessment centers and of the landscape of assessment center service providers.

2. Employee Development Tool: appraisals
Employee appraisals are used to chart and develop employees' careers. Many companies have a standard procedure of regular, annual (or more often) meetings between employees and their immediate supervisors to review recent performance and development and to set upcoming goals and targets for each individual. Your presentation should provide a review and assessment of what appraisals are, how they are implemented. Your review and assessment should draw on real life examples.

3. Compensation

A key area of HR Management is determining how employees and management are rewarded and how their salary packages are determined. There are several issues to consider; including industry salary averages, incentives, fringe benefits, standard tariff structures, seniority or individual negotiation, to name only a few. Present an in-depth analysis of how people are paid and how compensation packages are changing. Your discussion and evaluation should draw on real life examples.

4. The "endless intern" (Der ewige Praktikant)
In Germany, the US and elsewhere, as many companies are unwilling to commit to permanent contracts for employees, there is a disturbing trend of young people trying to enter the work force being subjected to an endless series of internships. Discuss and assess this trend in three countries of your choice. Your assessment should provide an overview of the types of industries, including the educational background of your target audience.

5. The use of Social Media in recruitment and career development
Web 2.0 is widely used by recruitment firms, human resource professionals and employment agencies to look for and research prospective employees. It is also used by individuals in their work and to further their own careers, often through networking or self-branding. Review and assess the effectiveness of using Social Media mediums for recruitment and career development.

6. The use of software and big data in HR Management
Greater and greater use of mathematical models, algorithms and software programs to evaluate and track job applicants and employees is being used in more and more companies. Discuss and evaluate some of the current uses, providing examples of procedures and companies, as well as outlining the advantages and dangers of such uses.

Further topics can be added after approval, for example:

Industrial Relations and Trade Unions

Provide an overview of the role and impact of trade unions in a particular country and industry, giving specific statistics about their organization and financing, including the role of workers' councils in SMEs. Explore the HR specialist role in dealing with labor relations. Examples of specific companies and negotiations would be welcome.
Trends in employment contracts: permanent vs. short term

The relationship between the organization and the individual employee is undergoing a radical transformation. Downsizing, global competition and outsourcing are pressuring companies to be more flexible with their workforce. Even outside of the "hire and fire" mentality of America, in many European countries, where guaranteed life-time employment was considered a basic right, it is now sometimes considered as anti- competitive and unsustainable. In Germany and Italy, there is a shift towards one or two-year contracts. The goal of the presentation is to examine this topic and present an overview of current trends.
Expatriates and "re-patriating" expatriates.

Overseas assignments are often used to develop management careers, to give international experience and to offer promotion opportunities. Yet, a great number of these assignments fail, and often employees suffer problems and culture and careers shocks when they return. Explore this topic looking at what are the key issues to consider in organizing successful expatriate assignments and why "re-patriation is so challenging. Specific examples would be welcome.
Profile of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM)

It is the world's largest association devoted to human resource management. Representing more than 250,000 members in over 140 countries, the Society serves the needs of HR professionals and advances the interests of the HR profession. Present an overview of the Society with in-depth exploration of 1 or 2 of their research articles.

Current trends in Diversity Management and Inclusion

Companies are now employing HR Professionals specialized in Diversity Management, and companies including apple are now publishing Diversity Management Reports. According to Quinetta M. Roberson of the Columbia University School of Industrial and Labor Relations, the term "inclusion" is replacing diversity in the emerging literature of the 21st century. Present an overview of this profession, companies' diversity policies and the content of the reports specific companies are publishing.

Structure of the Group Presentation

1. Cover page: The first slide must contain the full names of all group members, the logo of the school as well as the name of the course and the name of the professor.
2. Table of Contents
3. Introduction: Background, Scope and Method of Investigation
4. Critical Discussion: Analysis using theories and models studied in class and use of facts, figures, graphs and visual material
5. Conclusion
6. Bibliography: You should use the Harvard Referencing System.
7. Appendices