1.4.1 Approaches To Staffing Flashcards
Approach of staffing definition
The overall way in which a business treats it’s staff, has a direct impact upon the level of performance, motivation of employees and management styles
What is HRM
Human Resource Management
What is hard HRM
Staff as a cost
-staff treated as a resource that must be manager in order for the business to control costs and output
What is soft HRM
Staff as an asset
-staff are treated as an asset to the business that can contribute and help the business achieve its objectives
Asset description
- More input in decision making
- More autonomy over their work
- Gives greater career opportunities rather than being a job
Costs descriptions
- Businesses may justify redundancies as a cost cutting exercise
- Staff training is often viewed as a cost rather than adding value
- Can lower morale, motivation and therefore productivity levels
Strengths of soft asset
- Opportunities for progress
- Staff will be more motivated
- Better quality of decision making
Weaknesses of soft asset
- Longer time for decision making
2. Increase production cost/businesses’ costs
Strengths of hard asset
- Fast speed of decision making
- Business costs low
- Focused on senior managers
Weaknesses of hard asset
- Low quality decision making
- Less staff motivation
- High staff turnover
What is flexible working
Working arrangements where there are a vacancy of options offered to employees in terms of working time, working locations and the pattern of working
Home working advantages
- Reduced cost for transport
- Work-life balance
- Reduced fixed cost for employeers eg rent
Home working disadvantages
- Lower employee salary
- Easily distracted
- Poor mental health may lower productivity and quality of work
What is zero hour contracts
Mean that employees are “on call” to work when you need them, but they have no fixed hours of employment
Flexible hours advantages
- Work-life balance
- Better motivation and productivity
- Help attract new recruits
Flexible hours disadvantages
- Not many workers in office when needed
- Lack of employee loyalty and commitment
- Not that efficient
What is outsourcing
A third-party company that specialises in the role and can be hired on a contract rather than a permanent basis
Outsourcing advantages
- Cost reducing- cheaper labour abroad
- Higher pool of workers to choose from
- Gaining expertise work
Outsourcing disadvantages
- Time consuming to find work
- Managers may loose some control
- Lack of employee opportunity
Past time definition
Someone who works fewer hours than a full time worker
Temporary staff definition
Where the employees only needs extra staff to cover a seasonal period
Multi-skilling definition
Having a workforce that can be moved around from one job to another
What is dismissal
Worker may be dismissed from a job for:
- Absenteeism
- Gross misconduct
- Theft of company money or property
Workers are NOT entitled to a payout from the business if dismissed
What is redundancy
Workers job no longer exists possibly due to lack of business or restructuring
Sometimes voluntary- some retire; or compulsory- must leave job
Economic factor changing employment sector
- pattern of employment has changed
- now part time service sector jobs temporary work zero hours contrast
- full time permanent job lost
- made worse by the recession as large factories and secondary manufacturing industries closed
- means larger numbers of those earning low wages
What is individual approach to bargaining?
Means the worker and the manager spot face to discuss teams and conditions of the workers contract
May include pay, hours or responsibility
What is collective approach to bargaining
Involves a representative of all the workers meeting with the manager to discuss term and conditions (usually pay) of employment
Individual approach pros
Quicker
The individual understand own needs
Less aggressive/intimidating
Individual approach cons
Could cause conflict between employer and employee
Might not listen to you
Collective approach pro
Large number is people- more likely to be heard/representation
CollectIve approach con
Slower
Interpretation of needs
Intimidating
Pay
