STRATEGIC HRM

Strategic Human Resource Management in Qantas

Abstract

This proposal talks about the issue in Qantas regarding its downsizing policy. It was a serious problem as it can lead to major losses for the airline. This paper discusses the ways the organization can bolster itself to avoid such situations in the future. It discusses the matter in detail and then offers the possible strategies that the organization can adapt to keep up with the times in future. It also looks at the benefits that the implementation of the strategies will help the organization in achieving its strategic goals.

Table of Contents

Abstractii

1.Introduction1

3. Areas of Improvement2

3.1 Communication2

3.2 Performance Management3

3.3 Better Training3

3.4 Enhancing Relations With Employees5

3.5 Redefining Duties6

3.6 Retaining Employees6

4. Benefits to Be Achieved7

5. Conclusion8

Strategic Human Resource Management in Qantas

Introduction

The story of Qantas started with biplanes that carried one or two passengers and went onto the A-380 now carrying four hundred and fifty passengers daily. Qantas airline is one of Australia's leading airlines in the domestic as well as international market. It has one of the strongest brand recognition with Australia and was founded in the year 1920. The company employs around thirty five thousand employees, of them ninety three percent are based in Australia. It has a reputation for it safety, reliability, mantainence of planes and exceptional customer service. Qantas has enjoyed having a good competitive, position in the market with foreign airlines not being able to penetrate the Australian market due to regulations. The Qantas group's core operations are the flying of customers through its two brands namely Qantas and Jet star; also they operate other airline and aviation related business in other markets such as Q Catering. Employees have always been an integral part of the success of the airline as the country has gone through war, and the airline has yet survived. The engineering and mantainence department has been in the limelight since the inception of the airline. Out of the almost thirty five thousand employees, six thousand belong to this department.

Background of Problem

In recent times, airlines have gone through a rough time due to fluctuations in the prices of oil; a main component of cost for any airline. Airlines have tried to reduce costs in order to stay afloat in the market resulting in job cuts. Qantas wanted to get ridded of hundred and twenty eight engineers who did the safety checks on each flight. The union wanted to retain twenty of those employees. On the other hand, the secretary of Australian Licensed Aircraft Engineers Association, Mr. Steve Purvinas thought that these engineers were required as ensuring safety checks on the flight was their job. Mr. Purvinas was no happy with the decision and did not like the step Qantas was taking. Fair Work Australia; a workplace relation tribunal had given both the parties twenty one days to settle the issue. The aim here is to reach a fair agreement with the employees as it would set an example for the other thirty five thousand ...