Human Resource Management for

Line Managers
(HRM2605)

ASSESSMENT 06
Instructions and Assessment Questions

This assessment is an individual assignment that must be completed individually

and not in groups. While we support the creation of study groups and welcome
student interaction, this does not mean that students are permitted to submit the
same or similar assignments. Your assignments must be your own work.

Lessons 01 to 11 on myUnisa
Chapters 1 and 4 to 13 in the prescribed book

Due date:
20 May 2024 before 12:00
HRM2605: Assessment 06 Semester 01 (2024)

1 INTRODUCTION

This document contains important information about Assignment 06 (referred to as Assessment 06 on

myUnisa) for this module. Please read the instructions carefully.

2 FORMAT OF ASSESSMENT 06

The purpose of Assessment 06, an integrative assessment, is to determine how well you mastered the
learning outcomes and topics covered in lessons 01 to 11 of this module. By now, you ought to have
completed all the online lessons and relevant chapters in the prescribed book. Revise these sections again
before commencing with the assessment.

Assessment 06 is a written assignment comprising several essay-type questions and it will contribute
35% to your final mark for the module. You must answer all the questions and upload your typed answer
file in PDF on myUnisa.

3 IMPORTANT INFORMATION REGARDING ACADEMIC INTEGRITY

3.1 Academic dishonesty

Your assessments must reflect your own work. Remember that the purpose of an assessment is to
assess whether you understand the work. This cannot be done if you copy information directly from
sources such as the Internet, books, articles, and journals.

3.1.1 The importance of using your own words in assessments

Use your own words when writing your assessments to demonstrate your understanding of the material.
Avoid direct copying or inadequate paraphrasing. Always cite your sources both in-text and in a reference
list.

Plagiarism and cheating take various forms as explained in Tutorial Letter HRM2605/101, section 10:

• Plagiarism: Copying others' words or ideas without proper acknowledgement, including verbatim
copying, inadequate paraphrasing, and cut-and-paste without citations.
• Cheating: This includes completing assessments for others, copying or allowing others to copy your
work, sharing answers on social media, and buying completed answers from questionable sources.

The university uses advanced technology to detect academic misconduct (see section 3.2 below). If any
form of academic dishonesty (plagiarism and cheating) is detected in your assessment, a report
will be submitted to the Student Disciplinary Unit (SDU) for further investigation and action. You
will have an opportunity to state your case to the SDU during a disciplinary inquiry, but until then
your result for Assessment 06 will be withheld until the formal inquiry is concluded.

3.2 Turnitin

Turnitin is a tool used at UNISA to ensure originality and prevent plagiarism in academic submissions. It
is seamlessly integrated into myUnisa, which means you do not need separate login credentials or a class
ID to access a report. Not all assessments go through Turnitin, but when they do, the originality check runs
automatically. Please take note of the submission requirements outlined below:

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HRM2605: Assessment 06 Semester 01 (2024)

• Acceptable document formats: Turnitin only accepts PDFs with selectable text. Handwritten,
scanned documents, or photographed PDFs cannot be analysed by the software and will, therefore,
not be considered for marking. To meet this requirement, type your document in MS Word and then
convert it directly to PDF. For more information and guidelines on how to correctly save an MS
Word document as a PDF, click here.

NOTE: Assessments will not be marked without a valid Turnitin report. It remains
the responsibility of the student to ensure that their document is uploaded in the
correct format.

• Turnitin EULA: It is important to accept the EULA when using Turnitin for your assignments. This is a
mandatory step to ensure the integrity of our assessment process.

• Similarity Index: Our primary focus in assessing your assignments is on the content—the answers
you have provided. If any part of your content is found to be copied verbatim from any source, it will
result in a mark of 0 for that particular answer.

You may click on the indicated percentage to access the Turnitin similarity report.
This report highlights sections in your assessment that may match existing sources
in Turnitin's database, including websites, books, journals, and student submissions.
The percentage shown is not an indicator of plagiarism but reflects the extent of
overlap with the database. As mentioned before, we do not set a minimum
acceptable percentage. Instead, we analyse the report to determine where similarity
was detected.

• Turnaround time: Please note that once you submit your assignment on myModules, Turnitin will
automatically generate a Similarity Report within 24 hours. If your submission status appears as
"queued" or "pending," there is no need for concern. This simply means that your work is currently
undergoing evaluation, and the report will be available shortly.

However, if you encounter a situation where the Turnitin report is not available, it is because the
submission is in a scanned or handwritten format. To resolve this issue, kindly replace the scanned
file with an MS Word document that has been converted to PDF before submitting. This adjustment
will ensure that Turnitin can accurately analyse your work.

• Round Robin view: Please note that the final originality report percentage can change as Turnitin
updates it by comparing all submissions from other students at the assessment's closing date. There
is no grace period for late submissions, so if you miss the deadline, you will lose marks for that
assessment.

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!!REMEMBER!!

• If you have not accepted the Turnitin EULA and it is still outstanding, you MUST
accept that in line with Unisa’s rules. Submissions with outstanding EULA’s will
NOT be marked and we will award a mark of 0%.
• Handwritten or scanned assessments are no longer accepted. Assessments will
not be marked without a valid Turnitin report. It remains the responsibility of
the student to ensure that their document is uploaded in the correct format.
• There is no submission ‘grace’ period after the closing time of an assessment, if
you missed the due date and time, you forfeit the marks for that assessment.

3.3 Artificial Intelligence (AI)

You may ask: “Am I allowed to use AI?”

Just as much as I can’t stop you from using a calculator, Google, Google Maps, WhatsApp, or any other
internet search engine, I can’t stop you from using AI. BUT, it is how you use it that makes the difference,
and whether you are within the legal bounds of what Unisa’s Policy on Academic Integrity allows.

While AI can be a useful resource, simply copy-pasting AI-generated content is neither effective nor ethical.
Remember that using AI to generate responses for assessments constitutes plagiarism. We have
emphasised the importance of avoiding plagiarism and its consequences in all our communications.
Whether you copy from any source, including AI, it is considered plagiarism.

4 ASSESSMENT INSTRUCTIONS AND QUESTIONS

4.1 Assessment Instructions

(1) All written assignments must be submitted online (via myUnisa) in portable
document format (PDF).

(2) You are expected to meet the following requirements in terms of layout and
technical presentation:

• The cover page or first page of your document should contain information such
as the module code, the assignment number, the semester and year of
registration, your name and your student number.

• The cover page is followed by your response – the answers – to the questions.
You are required to answer all the questions and ensure that your answers are
properly numbered in accordance with the assignment questions.

• You should type your answers (1½ spacing, Arial font size 12) and then convert
your document to PDF. Kindly note that no written and/or scanned answer files
will be accepted. Your assignment must be typed (see section 3.2).

• Cite all the sources you have consulted in the text and provide full details in a
list of references at the end of your assessment. Use the Harvard referencing
method. Detailed referencing guidelines are provided under Referencing and

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HRM2605: Assessment 06 Semester 01 (2024)

Plagiarism, in the CEMS Harvard Referencing Style: Introduction to

Referencing and Plagiarism LibGuide.

• IMPORTANT: Ensure that your assignment, which comprises the cover page,
declaration of honesty, and reference list, is confined to a maximum of 12 pages.
A page limit of 12 pages is thus set for this assessment.

Your assessment will not be evaluated based on its layout or technical presentation.
However, it is crucial to ensure that your answer file meets the listed requirements.

4.2 Declaration of honesty

Upon acceptance of the submission statement via myModules, you hereby acknowledge and agree to the
following:
1. I know that plagiarism means taking and using the ideas, writings, works or inventions of another
as if they were one’s own. I know that plagiarism not only includes verbatim copying but also
the extensive use of another person’s ideas without proper acknowledgement (which includes
the proper use of quotation marks) or any attempt to cheat the plagiarism checking system. I
know that plagiarism covers the use of material found in textual sources and from the Internet.

2. I acknowledge and understand that plagiarism is wrong and accept Unisa’s values in terms of
academic integrity (see https://www.unisa.ac.za/sites/myunisa/default/Study-@-Unisa/Student-
values-and-rules).

3. I understand that my assessment answers must be accurately referenced by applying the

Harvard referencing style as prescribed by the College of Economic and Management Sciences
(see https://libguides.unisa.ac.za/CEMSHarvard).

4. I confirm that this assignment is my own work. I acknowledge that copying someone else’s work,
or part of it, is wrong and that submitting identical work to others constitutes a form of academic
dishonesty.

5. I have not allowed, nor will I in the future allow anyone to copy my work with the intention of
passing it off as their own work.

6. I have not used any text-generating Artificial Intelligence (AI) or paraphrasing software to answer
the assessment questions. The work presented reflects my own understanding of and ability to
apply the subject matter addressed in this module.

7. I understand that my assessment will automatically be submitted to Turnitin and that the report
that is generated will be used to identify and investigate potential academic dishonesty. I also
accept that any attempt to deceive or mislead Turnitin in any way will be regarded as academic
misconduct and may result in disciplinary action.

8. I understand that academic dishonesty is not limited to the similarities detected by Turnitin, but
may also be identified by assessors and/or moderators during the marking process.

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9. I confirm that I have read and understand the following UNISA policies:

9.1 Policy for Copyright Infringement and Plagiarism

9.2 Policy on Academic Integrity (available under Master’s and doctoral policies, procedures
and forms)
9.3 Students’ Disciplinary Code

10. I understand that this is a final integrated assessment and, therefore, any act of academic
dishonesty or misconduct will be reported to the College of Economic and Management
Sciences’ Academic Integrity Committee and Student Disciplinary Unit for further investigation
and action. I acknowledge that should disciplinary action be required, my mark will be withheld
pending the outcome of the disciplinary investigation and hearing.

4.3 Guidelines on how to approach this assessment

We advise that you work through the following steps to answer the assignment questions:

• Study lessons 01 to 11, as well as the corresponding chapters in the prescribed book.

• Begin by carefully studying the questions, tasks and/or information provided.

• Ensure that you understand the essential HRM concepts and theoretical aspects discussed in this
module.

• Carefully re-read the instructions, questions and/or information provided.

• Ensure that you answer the questions in your own words by providing relevant information.

• Consider the mark allocation of each question and only provide enough facts to earn the mark.
Compare your answers to the assessment criteria provided.

• Reference the sources (even if it is one of the lessons or a prescribed book) consulted in a reference
list.

• Adhere to the instructions and guidelines provided by ensuring that your answer file is accurately
saved in PDF format

4.4 Assessment questions

Answer the following questions by applying and critically engaging with the subject matter contained in
lessons 01 to 11.

LAYOUT AND TECHNICAL PRESENTATION

While the layout and technical presentation of your assessment will not affect your mark, it is essential to
ensure that your answer file complies with the requirements specified in Section 4.2 of this assignment
and Tutorial Letter HRMALL6/301/4/2024.

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HRM2605: Assessment 06 Semester 01 (2024)

QUESTION 1 [25 marks]

Read the following case study and then answer the questions that follow.

NAVIGATING MODERN WORK CHALLENGES IN A DYNAMIC ORGANISATION

Meet Sarah Mitchell, a 35-year-old professional working as a digital marketing specialist at Global Tech
Solutions, a rapidly growing tech company. Sarah has over seven years of experience in the industry
and joined the company three years ago. She has been a dedicated employee, always striving to excel
in her role.

Sarah’s journey at Global Tech Solutions began after she left her previous job at a traditional marketing
agency. She was excited about the opportunity to work in a dynamic environment that promised
innovation and growth. While she appreciates the company’s forward-thinking approach, she faces
several unique challenges in her role.

Challenges:

Sarah often feels intense pressure to meet aggressive marketing targets set by the organisation,
impacting her job satisfaction and overall well-being. In recent months, she has struggled to achieve her
sales targets, raising concerns on her performance. Her line manager, Mr. Monaledi, has on several
occasions indicated that her performance is not up to standard, adding to Sarah’s stress and anxiety as
she strives to meet expectations. Despite her dedication and skills, she finds it challenging to see a
clear career path within the organisation and is unsure about opportunities for advancement or the
company’s commitment to her professional development. Furthermore, maintaining a healthy work-life
balance has become increasingly difficult, as she juggles multiple projects and tight deadlines, taking a
toll on her health. She frequently experiences stress-related symptoms and the organisation lacks a
comprehensive wellness programme to address employee well-being.

Support from line management and HR:

Sarah's immediate supervisor, Mr Monaledi, has a critical role in providing support. He regularly meets
with Sarah to set realistic goals, provide constructive feedback and address her concerns. However,
these conversations have primarily focused on her performance issues, adding to her stress.

The HR department at Global Tech Solutions offers various support mechanisms. They conduct regular
employee satisfaction surveys to gather feedback and identify areas of improvement. HR also provides
career coaching sessions, to help employees like Sarah map out their career trajectories within the
organisation.

Challenges for line managers and HR:

Despite these support initiatives, the fast-paced environment poses challenges for line managers in
providing relevant guidance. Marketing roles also carry high-performance expectations, making it tough
for line managers to balance results and emotional support. Additionally, HR struggles with recruiting
and retaining tech-savvy marketing specialists, given the industry's high turnover rate and the need for
continuous skills updates.

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Source: Author’s own compilation

1.1 First, discuss the role of effective performance feedback in improving employee satisfaction and
performance (3 marks). Secondly, evaluate Mr Monaledi’s approach to providing feedback to Sarah
(1 mark) and suggest three alternative strategies for improvement (3 x 2 marks = 6 marks). The
proposed strategies must apply to the given scenario. (10)

1.2 Assess the challenges faced by the HR department in recruiting and retaining specialised talent in
high-turnover industries such as Global Tech Solutions. Identify (5 marks) and explain (5 marks) five
(5) innovative HR strategies that Global Tech Solutions could implement to attract and retain highly
talented individuals. (10)

1.3 You have been requested by the HR manager at Global Tech Solutions to assist him in designing a
comprehensive healthcare programme to address the well-being concerns mentioned in the case
study. Assist the HR manager by discussing the programmes that should be included in the
comprehensive healthcare programme. (5)

QUESTION 2 [25 marks]

Question 2.1 (15)

In today’s rapidly evolving workplace, the role of the line manager has become increasingly crucial in the
effective management of human resources. Analyse the key responsibilities of line managers in HRM (10
marks) and identify the most significant challenge (5 marks) they face in the 21st-century HRM landscape.
Support your answer with relevant literature and practical examples.

Structure your answer as follows:

2.1.1 Responsibilities of the line manager in HRM (10)

2.1.2 The most significant HR challenge faced by line managers (5)

Question 2.2 (10)

Reflect on the module’s content and your response to question 2.1 above.

2.2.1 In your opinion, in which HR function does the line manager play the most significant role and
why? (1 mark) Substantiate your answer with relevant theory/literature (4 marks). (5)

2.2.2 How can HR support the line manager in the role identified in question 2.2.1? (5)

TOTAL FOR ASSESSMENT 06 = 50 MARKS

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HRM2605: Assessment 06 Semester 01 (2024)

4.4 Assessment criteria

The following criteria will be used to evaluate your answers to Assessment 06:

Question 1 [25 marks]

Question 1.1 (10 marks)

Role of effective performance feedback in improving employee satisfaction and performance (3 marks):
• Demonstrates an understanding of the role of effective performance feedback in improving employee
satisfaction and performance.
• Provides a clear and concise explanation of the benefits of effective performance feedback.
• Supports discussion with relevant theory and examples.
Evaluation of Mr Monaledi’s approach to providing performance feedback to Sarah (1 mark):
• Provides a fair and objective evaluation of Mr Monaledi’s approach to providing feedback to Sarah.
• Identifies strengths and weaknesses of Mr Monaledi’s approach.
Alternative strategies for improvement (6 marks):
• Provides a minimum of three (3) alternative strategies for improvement.
• Detailed explanation of how each strategy would improve Mr Monaledi’s approach to providing feedback to
Sarah.

Question 1.2 (10 marks)

• Demonstrates an understanding of the challenges faced by the HR department in recruiting and retaining
specialised talent in high-turnover industries.
• Proposes a minimum of five (5) innovative HR strategies for attracting and retaining highly talented individuals
(5 marks).
• Explain how each strategy would be effective in attracting and retaining talented individuals (5 marks).
• Provides a clear and concise justification for each strategy.

Question 1.3 (5 marks)

• Detailed explanation of the elements that should be included in the healthcare programme.

Question 2 [25 marks]

Question 2.1 (15 marks)

Key responsibilities of the line manager in HRM (10 marks)
• Demonstrates an understanding of the main roles and responsibilities of the line manager in HRM.
• Provides clear and concise explanation of the responsibilities.
• Supports explanation with relevant literature and examples.
Most significant HR challenge faced by line managers (5 marks)
• Demonstrates understanding of the most significant HR challenge faced by line managers.
• Provide a clear and concise explanation of the challenge.
• Supports explanation with relevant literature and practical examples.

Question 2.2 (10 marks)

In which HR function does the line manager play the most significant role and why? (5 marks)
• Provides a clear and concise answer to the question.
• Supports the answer with relevant theory/literature and examples.
How can HR support the line manager in the role identified in question 2.2.1? (5 marks)

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• Proposes a minimum of five (5) ways in which HR can support the line manager in the role identified in
question 2.2.1.
• Clearly explains how the support offers aid the line manager.
• Provides clear and concise justification for the support offered.

[50 marks]

Common mistakes and tendencies in answering questions of this nature.

In similar assignment questions, asked previously, the following common mistakes and tendencies were
noticed:

• Some students copied information directly from the prescribed material or other sources without
acknowledging the sources.

• Others worked in groups, submitted similar answers to the assignment questions or even enlisted
the help of a third party (known as contract cheating).

• Others could not or did not link the theory to the information provided.

• Some students could not apply the information from the sources, such as the lessons and the
prescribed book, to the practical situation provided.

• Some students could not explain how they would translate the theory into the practical tasks of
dealing with the HR aspects in the assignments and therefore lost valuable marks.

• Most students did not reference the sources that they consulted.

Feedback for the questions in this assessment will be provided through an announcement on
myUnisa once marking and moderation are completed.

5 SUBMISSION OF THE ASSESSMENT

The assignment must be submitted as a single, typed document in PDF on the myUnisa module site.

Make sure you have submitted the correct assignment by following the instructions and guidelines in the
links below:

• Submitting a written assessment

• Editing or replacing a submission
• Drafts vs submission for grading
• Assignment submission status page

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HRM2605: Assessment 06 Semester 01 (2024)

IMPORTANT

• Please ensure that your PDF document is not encrypted to a "secured" mode
and that it is not password protected since encrypted or password-protected
files cannot be marked. Virus-infected files will not be marked.

• The maximum file size for PDF documents is 50 MB. It is unlikely that your
answer file will exceed this limit. However, if needed, there are various ways
in which you can reduce the size of your PDF document (see 5 ways to reduce
the size of a PDF for suggested options).

• Ensure that you upload the correct document. There will not be an
opportunity to resubmit your assignment, either on the system or to the lecturer
by e-mail, after the due date of the assignment. The document that you upload
is the one that will be assessed. If it is an incorrect document, a zero mark will
be awarded.

6 IN CLOSING

We applaud the diligent efforts of many students and encourage you to keep up the good work in this final
assessment for HRM2605 - your efforts should be duly rewarded.

Regrettably, there is a growing number of students who do not adhere to Unisa's policies on academic
integrity. This is a serious concern, and we must enforce strict measures against it. Such actions are
contrary to the ethical foundation of HR. Our strict approach is necessary to maintain the integrity of Unisa
and safeguard the value of the qualifications you work hard to achieve.

In conclusion, if you have any questions or concerns about this assessment or if you have any other
module-related inquiries, please do not hesitate to contact me ([email protected]).

Wishing you all the best with Assessment 06!

Dr M du Plessis and Ms M Sukdeo

Department of Human Resource Management

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