People are the heart of all organisations; good people management can make a difference to an organisation, their employees and customers. Managing people involves a range of Human Resource Management disciplines including improving employee performance, motivating staff morale, employee wellbeing and promoting professional growth within an organisation. To assist in preparing you for employment within a people focused industry the module will introduce you to a range of case studies, theories and debates on contemporary people management issues within the workplace.

If a visitor attraction intends to be in the forefront of the competition, it is essential that they create a culture that encourages staff to be engaged and understand the impact that they make within an organisation within a 21st Century which is continually influenced by external factors.

Indictive Content: -

Employee Onboarding (Organisation Induction, Local Induction, Mentoring, Employee Buddies)
Learning and Development (Creating a Learning and Development Culture, Skills Gap Analysis, Talent Management)
Performance Management (The Role of Performance Management, Measuring Performance, Performance Reviews)
Grievance and Discipline (Grievance and Discipline Procedures, Legal Codes of Practice, Capability/Performance)
Holistic Approach to Employee Well Being (Health & Safety, Mental Health, Occupational, Worklife Balance Culture)
Employee Relations (The Employee Voice, Change, Role of Trade Unions, Conflict and Resolution)
Motivation and Engagement (Application of Motivation Theory, Employee Retention, Employee Rewards and Benefits)

Based on a fictional case study (that will be provided to you) you are to create an employee handbook.

Activity:
You have been employed as a Visitor Attraction Human Resources People Management Consultant, to create an employee handbook which outlines a range of people management policies, procedures and benefits for a new starter.

Strategies must be fully justified, practical and cost- effective.

Learning Outcomes 1, 2, 3 and 4

1. Demonstrate an understanding of the importance of effective people management strategies and their social, legal and economic context.
2. Critically evaluate a range of effective people management policies and their impact on organisations and stakeholders.
3. Analyse human resource management theories and their application within the workplace.
4. Create organisational policy documentation that informs effective people management.

This Module is delivered face to face, over one Semester, to final year undergraduate VARM students, via a series of lectures, seminars and student interactive workshop presentations. These are supplemented by assignment workshops/tutorials and guest speakers.

Staffordshire University Library
Chartered Institute of Personnel Development Webpage
People Management Magazine
HR Magazine
Human Resource Management Journal

Armstrong M (2022) Armstrong’s Handbook of Performance Management 7th Edition London, Kogan Press
Armstrong M and Taylor S (2020) Armstrong's Handbook of Human Resource Management Practice, 15th Edition, London, Kogan Press
Armstrong M (2020) Armstrong’s Handbook of Strategic Human Resource Management, Improve Business Performance Through Strategic People Management 7th Edition, London, Kogan Press
Armstrong M (2019) Armstrongs Handbook of Reward Management Practice: Improving Performance Through Reward Management, 6th Edition, London, Kogan Press

Within the people orientated visitor attraction industry, it is essential people management skills are implemented and maintained to assist in ensuring resources are in place to compete against competitors. Effective Human Resource Management skills and knowledge can have an impact of the future of an organisation. The module challenges you to explore and evaluate people management theories, practices and legislations which can be applied within visitor attractions. Interactive face to face delivery, case studies and guest lecturers will contribute towards you developing your skills in preparation for managing people within the workplace