1.4.1 Approaches To Staffing Flashcards
How is an employee an asset
- they offer skills and abilities that add value
- or can reduce costs by being efficient and productive
How is an employee a liability
- wages and salaries are a cost to the firm
- recruitment and training is a cost
- ensuring good working conditions is a cost
What is a contract of employment
A legally binding agreement between the employer and their employee about their duties and rights
What is dismissal
- when an employee breaches their contract of employment and their contract is ended
What is redundancy
- 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
What is flexibility in the workforce
- the variety of ways in which employees work and the different contracts they can be offered
Explain the types of contracts employees can be offered
- 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)
Evaluate full time contracts
+ the firm has guaranteed
- not flexible during periods of less demand so business may become inefficient
Evaluate part time contracts
+ 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
Evaluate 0 hr contracts
+ 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
Evaluate permanent contracts
+ more motivated as they have job security and career progression opportunities
- employees may become bored or lazy
Evaluate temporary contracts
+ 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
Explain the different ways in which employees can work
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
Evaluate shift work
+ employees get flexibility which will improve satisfaction and motivation
- irregular shifts or night shifts may be hard for employees
Evaluate flexible hours (flexitime)
+ allows employees to have work-life balance increasing motivation
- hard to have meetings and a cohesive workforce when staff work at different times
Evaluate home working
+ 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
Evaluate outsourcing
+ 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
Explain and evaluate having a multi-skilled workforce
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
Why is a good relationship between employees and employers important
- it maximises cooperation and minimises conflict
- employee motivation will be higher which increases productivity and reduces costs
What is individual bargaining
When employees negotiate with and employer about their pay and working conditions
What is collective bargaining
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
