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Contemporary Challenges in HRM

Module description

This module builds on learning achieved through studying the introductory human resource management (BEM2021) module in Year 2. Our focus is entirely practical and is aimed at preparing final year undergraduates for some of the HR-related challenges they are likely to face when leading teams and taking up management roles in organisations on graduation. Our approach is pragmatic and underpinned by the principles of effective, ethical, legally compliant and evidence-based HR practice.

Module aims - intentions of the module

The module aims to equip students with the knowledge, skills and understanding required successfully to handle people-management issues that can be challenging in practice and difficult to manage effectively. The emphasis is on those challenges which are not discussed in depth in other, existing HR-related modules taught in the Business School, while also focusing on those which have particular contemporary significance such as bullying and harassment, absence management, employee retention, productivity enhancement, exercising discipline, employing older workers, downsizing, handling trade union relationships and formally evaluating the HR contribution to organisational effectiveness.

Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs)

ILO: Module-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 1. Develop thinking and policy in respect of contemporary HR-related management challenges
• 2. Evaluate alternative course of action and recommend that which is most appropriate

ILO: Discipline-specific skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 3. Assess and successfully address major contemporary people management challenges
• 4. Advise senior managers on appropriate courses of action to take in such situations

ILO: Personal and key skills

On successfully completing the module you will be able to...

• 5. Develop a capacity for critical thinking in the workplace context
• 6. Plan, justify and implement policy on handling challenging contemporary management issues

Syllabus plan

This module makes use of a variety of learning methods, with supporting material provided online, to enabling you to gain understanding about some major contemporary HR challenges and to debate appropriate practical responses. Our taught sessions will cover the following major topic areas:

• bullying and harassment at work
• employee retention
• enhancing productivity through people
• absence management
• managing older workers effectively
• disciplining employees
• downsizing
• working with trade unions
• evaluating the HR contribution

Learning activities and teaching methods (given in hours of study time)

Details of learning activities and teaching methods

Formative assessment

Summative assessment (% of credit)

Details of summative assessment

Details of re-assessment (where required by referral or deferral)

Re-assessment notes

Deferral – if you miss an assessment for certificated reasons judged acceptable by the Mitigation Committee, you will normally be either deferred in the assessment or an extension may be granted. The mark given for a re-assessment taken as a result of deferral will not be capped and will be treated as it would be if it were your first attempt at the assessment.

Referral – if you have failed the module overall (i.e. a final overall module mark of less than 40%) you will be required to submit a further assessment as necessary. If you are successful on referral, your overall module mark will be capped at 40%.

Indicative learning resources - Basic reading

Torrington, D., Taylor, S., Hall, L. and Atkinson, C. (2025) Human Resource Management. Twelfth Edition. Pearson.

Marchington M Wilkinson A, Donnelly R and Kynighou A. (2025) Human Resource Management at Work: The Definitive Guide. Eighth Edition. Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Wilkinson, A. Redman, T &  Dundon T (2021)  Contemporary Human Resource Management: Text and Cases. Sixth Edition. Pearson.

Barends, E & Rousseau, D (2018) Evidence-Based Management: How to Use Evidence to Make Better Organizational Decisions. London, Kogan Page.

Gold J, Bratton J & Steele L (2022) Human Resource Management: A Critical Approach. Seventh Edition. Bloomsbury.

Wilton, N. (2022) An Introduction to Human Resource Management. Fifth Edition. Sage

Key words search

HRM, people management, contemporary management issues