1.4 Managing People (Done- Use Mindmap For Revision Too) Flashcards
How might employers try to meet the needs of employees? (4)
- reasonable holidays, sick leave, etc.
- a safe and comfortable working environment.
- job security.
- chances for promotion.
What methods can a business use to increase the flexibility of their workforce? (4)
- Multi-skilling.
- Part-time and temporary staff.
- Flexible hours and home working.
- Outsourcing.
What are three advantages of a flexible workforce?
- Allows a business to expand and contract quickly in response to changes in demand for its products.
- Some specialist jobs need to be done but it would be wasteful to employ a permanent worker to do them.
- Employing workers who can job share or work flexible hours may allow a business to operate more efficiently.
Which objectives of employees and employers are sometimes in conflict? (4)
- Rates of pay (employees want more, employers suppress wages)
- The introduction of technology (employers- increase efficiency, employees- anxious about learning new production techniques).
- Flexible working (employers- more efficient and lower costs, employees- zero-hour contracts are unethical and unpopular).
- Work conditions (employers- increases costs, employees- want better conditions or facilities).
What are three reasons why a business may need new staff?
- The business is expanding and more labour is needed.
- People are leaving and they need to be replaced.
- Positions have become vacant due to promotion.
What are the 7 stages in the recruitment and selection process?
- Identify the type and number of staff needed.
- Prepare job description and person specification.
- Advertise the job.
- Evaluate applicants and select a shortlist for interview.
- Carry out interviews.
- Evaluate interviews and make appointments.
- Provide feedback for unsuccessful candidates.
What does a job description state?
The title of a job and the tasks, duties and responsibilities associated with that job.
What is the main purpose of a job description?
To show clearly what is expected of an employee.
What does a person specification state?
The details of the qualifications, experience, skills, attitudes and any other characteristics that would be expected of a person appointed to do a particular job.
What is internal recruitment?
Recruitment from within the business.
What are three advantages of internal recruitment?
- Often cheaper because it avoids advertising jobs at commercial rates.
- The qualities, abilities and potential of the candidates should be better known to the employer.
- Regular internal recruiting can motivate staff.
What is external recruitment?
When someone is appointed from outside the business.
What are the two main advantages of external recruitment over internal recruitment?
- The employer may want someone with new and different ideas to those already working in the business.
- External recruitment might attract a larger number of applicants than internal recruitment. More choice for employer!
In what ways can an employer maximise the number of candidates for a job? (7)
- Word of mouth (hearing about a job from someone else.
- Direct application (when jobseekers send their details to employers on the off chance they have a vacancy).
- Advertising (in newspapers, on internet or on company website).
- Private employment agencies.
- Headhunting (where the agency draws up a list of people they think would be suitable for a job).
- Job centres (businesses can advertise vacancies through job centres).
- Government funded training schemes.
What are three examples of training costs?
- Paying training providers.
- Loss of output (workers training will not be producing anything).
- Employees leaving (when employees have been invested in e.g. through covering the cost of their training).
What are three examples of recruitment and selection costs?
- Jobs have to be advertised.
- The interviewing process requires senior staff who are usually paid more.
- Sometimes the new person recruited will negotiate a higher salary than the person they are replacing, adding to the business’ costs.
Define training.
The process of increasing the knowledge and skills of workers so that they are better equipped to perform their jobs.
What are three objectives of training?
- Making workers more productive by teaching them more effective ways of working.
- Making workers more flexible so they can do more than one job.
- Improve standards of work in order to improve quality.
What is induction training?
Training for people starting a job.
What is on-the-job training?
Training given in the workplace by the employer.
What are 3 examples of on-the-job training?
- Learning from other workers.
- Mentoring.
- Job rotation.
What are three advantages of on-the-job training?
- Output is being produced.
- Relevant because trainees learn by actually doing the job.
- Cheaper than other forms of training.
What are three disadvantages of on-the-job training?
- Output may be lost if workers make mistakes.
- Trainers may get frustrated if they are ‘unpaid’ trainers.
- Could be a danger to others, e.g. surgeon or train driver.
What are three advantages of off-the-job training?
- Output is not affected if mistakes are made.
- Training could take place outside work hours.
- Customers and others are not put at risk.
