(a) Explain five factors which determine the span of control (b) Give five functions of the personnel department in a business establishment.

Answer Details

(a) Factors that determine the span of control

Span of control is the number of subordinates that a manager can effectively supervise.

• Nature of the work: Simple, routine and similar tasks allow a wide span, while complex and varied tasks require a narrow span.
• Ability of the manager: A competent, experienced and energetic manager can supervise more subordinates than a weak one.
• Ability and training of subordinates: Well-trained, skilled and self-disciplined subordinates need less supervision, allowing a wider span.
• Availability and quality of communication: Where good communication and reporting systems exist, a manager can control more people effectively.
• Geographical location of workers: When subordinates are scattered over a wide area, the span must be narrow; when they are close together, the span can be wide.

(b) Functions of the personnel department

• Recruitment and selection: It advertises vacancies, interviews and selects suitable persons to fill positions in the organisation.
• Training and development: It organises training programmes to improve the skills, knowledge and efficiency of workers.
• Wages and salary administration: It fixes, computes and manages the payment of wages, salaries and other benefits to staff.
• Welfare and industrial relations: It looks after the welfare of workers and handles relations between management and employees, including grievances and disputes.
• Keeping personnel records and discipline: It maintains records of employees and handles promotion, transfer, discipline and termination of appointments.