1.4.1 Approaches To Staffing

Question 1

How is an employee an asset

Answer 1

• they offer skills and abilities that add value
• or can reduce costs by being efficient and productive

Question 2

How is an employee a liability

Answer 2

• wages and salaries are a cost to the firm
• recruitment and training is a cost
• ensuring good working conditions is a cost

Question 3

What is a contract of employment

Answer 3

A legally binding agreement between the employer and their employee about their duties and rights

Question 4

What is dismissal

Answer 4

• when an employee breaches their contract of employment and their contract is ended

Question 5

What is redundancy

Answer 5

• when an employees job is no longer required, may be because the business is downsizing or changes in technology
• this costs a business money as the business will have to pay a minimum redundancy if the employee has had 2 years of service

Question 6

What is flexibility in the workforce

Answer 6

• the variety of ways in which employees work and the different contracts they can be offered

Question 7

Explain the types of contracts employees can be offered

Answer 7

• full-time (work more than 35 hrs a week)
• part-time (work less than 35 hrs)
• zero hours (staff only work as and when they are needed)
• permanent contract (has no end date)
• temporary contract (has an end date)

Question 8

Evaluate full time contracts

Answer 8

+ the firm has guaranteed
- not flexible during periods of less demand so business may become inefficient

Question 9

Evaluate part time contracts

Answer 9

+ part time staffs hrs can be spread more equally to enhance efficiency and better suit demand
+ more staff to cover absences
- however they will need to manage their staff better to avoid being understaffed

Question 10

Evaluate 0 hr contracts

Answer 10

+ avoids inefficient staff
+ allows the firm to save costs when demand changes
+ more flexible
- if demand quickly increases the firm may find it difficult to find work

Question 11

Evaluate permanent contracts

Answer 11

+ more motivated as they have job security and career progression opportunities
- employees may become bored or lazy

Question 12

Evaluate temporary contracts

Answer 12

+ can be issued when in periods of high demand or when staff need prolonged time off (sickness or maternity)
- may be unmotivated as the employee is aware their contract is going to end

Question 13

Explain the different ways in which employees can work

Answer 13

Shift work - when a job role needs filling for more hours than can be completed by a single worker
Home working - working at home some/all of the time
Flexible hours - employees complete a set number of hours of their choice
Outsourcing - outsourcing tasks to external businesses

Question 14

Evaluate shift work

Answer 14

+ employees get flexibility which will improve satisfaction and motivation
- irregular shifts or night shifts may be hard for employees

Question 15

Evaluate flexible hours (flexitime)

Answer 15

+ allows employees to have work-life balance increasing motivation
- hard to have meetings and a cohesive workforce when staff work at different times

Question 16

Evaluate home working

Answer 16

+ employees save travel costs and can work around outside commitments
- workers may be less focused
+ employers can downsize and save costs
- employers can’t monitor staff performance

Question 17

Evaluate outsourcing

Answer 17

+ adjustable depending on demand
+ saves money in training and recruiting staff for tasks that are used irregularly
- unreliable as they have less control over workers

Question 18

Explain and evaluate having a multi-skilled workforce

Answer 18

A workforce that is trained to complete multiple tasks
+ firms can employ less people as their staff can cover many roles
+ workers can be moved to cover absences
+ employees feel more valued as they are trained to be multi-skilled also are less bored
- higher training costs
- employees may expect to be paid more which increases costs

Question 19

Why is a good relationship between employees and employers important

Answer 19

• it maximises cooperation and minimises conflict
• employee motivation will be higher which increases productivity and reduces costs

Question 20

What is individual bargaining

Answer 20

When employees negotiate with and employer about their pay and working conditions

Question 21

What is collective bargaining

Answer 21

When a group of employees are represented by workplace representatives (trade unions)
Usually serving people in the public sector
+ helps employees have greater bargaining power
+ trade can take action on a national level to put pressure on government to make changes in legislation