1.4.1 Approaches To Staffing Flashcards
Advantages of good staffing
- effective staffing is important to businesses as it insures that the organisation has the right people, in the right roles, with the right support, with opportunities to succeed
- Leads to higher productivity, more profit and a positive work environment
What is staff as an asset?
- Staff are an asset to a business as they bring knowledge, skills and expertise to the business
- They can increase productivity, drive innovation and arc customer service all of which contribute to the success and profitability of the business
- They can help to build a positive reputation for the business through their interactions with customers suppliers and other stakeholders
What is staff as a cost?
- staff also generate costs to a business – and for many businesses staff costs are one of the largest costs they have
These include: - Hiring and training workers
– Managing workers as managers have to be hired
– Paying the salaries of full-time workers
– Paying wages of hourly staff
– Additional benefits, such as company cars, pensions, healthcare, etc
– Letting workers go (redundancy payments)
What is the impact of national minimum wages on staffing costs?
If the government introduces or raises a national minimum wage, it applies to employees who receive a wage rather than a salary
– Businesses that employee workers on a wage basis will face higher labour costs
What is flexible working and how can it be developed?
Flexible working is the development of a culture where workers are equipped to do different roles or where they work in a range of employment patterns (full-time, part-time, zero hour contracts, work from home etc)
Ways to develop a flexible workforce:
- Multi skilling
- Part-time and temporary
- Outsourcing
- Flexible hours and homework working
What is multi skilling and what are the advantages and disadvantages of it?
- Multi skilling is the process of training workers to fulfil multiple job roles within a business
Advantages: - Business utilises their workforce more efficiently which reduces labour costs and increases productivity
- It can help to improve patient outcomes in healthcare industries as workers with a broad range of skills can provide more comprehensive care
Disadvantages: - May require significant investment in training and development
- May not be appropriate for all job roles, especially those that require a high level of expertise
What is part-time and temporary working and what are the advantages and disadvantages of it?
- Working part-time include only working a few days a week
- Working temporarily means only showing up for work when the business needs them such as demand on Christmas periods or seasonal workers
Advantages: - Flexible working arrangements can help businesses to attract and retain talent, especially staff who value work life balance
- This may improve productivity, as staff can work during their most productive hours and avoid distractions
Disadvantages: - Flexible working arrangements can create challenges in terms of communication and collaboration ( especially if staff are working remotely)
- Monitoring of managing flexible workers can be more difficult
What is outsourcing and what are the advantages and disadvantages of it?
- outsourcing is a business practice in which companies use external providers to carry out business processes that would otherwise be handled internally
- This allows a company to produce products at a lower cost and maintain competitive pricing
Advantages: - This may allow businesses to access specialised skills that may not be available internally
- May reduce labour costs
Disadvantages: - This may lead to a loss of control over quality and delivery, especially if the outsourcing partner is based in another country
- This may create ethical concerns, especially if the partner is based in the country with low labour standards or human right abuses
What is homework working and what are the advantages and disadvantages for the business?
- Home working is when employees work from home using tools such as email, instant messaging, collaborative software, scheduling apps and video conferencing to carry out work remotely
Advantages: - Smaller a few premises may be required, reducing costs
- high-quality workers may be attracted from a wide geographical area
- Workers may be more productive if they work in isolation, away from distractions
Disadvantages: - The cost of equipping workers with technology to work remotely may be significant
- There may be less opportunity for collaboration between workers, reducing in innovation
- Careful monitoring will be required to ensure remote workers remain focused on tasks
What are the advantages and disadvantages of homework working for the employee?
Advantages:
-Commuting costs, such as train fares, are eliminated
- Stress reduced as a result of not having to travel to work
- Some flexibility may be possible, allowing workers to manage other commitments
Disadvantages:
- Staff may feel isolated from colleagues
- Household costs such as electricity and heating may increase
- A healthy division between work and home life may be difficult to manage
What is the distinction between dismissal and redundancy?
- Dismissal is the termination of employment by an employer against the will of the employee usually due to misconduct or poor performance
-Employees are made redundant when the job is no longer available in the business reduces the size of its workforce therefore is not due to any fault of the employee
Different approaches to employer/employee relationships: individual approach
- this approach focuses on the relationship between an employee and their employer and assumes that each employee is unique and has their own goals, motivations, and interests
- It emphasises the need for tailored compensation packages that cater to each employees unique skills and needs
- The employment relationship is a voluntary agreement between two parties in which both negotiate their respective roles, responsibilities, and benefits
-The employer has the power to hire, fire, and set the terms and conditions of employment
Different approaches to employer/employee relationships: collective bargaining
- this is a process whereby a group of employees (represented by trade union) negotiate with their employer for better wages, working conditions and benefits. These employees have more bargaining power when they negotiate collectively rather than as individuals.
- The employment relationship is seen as a power struggle between two parties with conflicting interests:
- The employer wants to maximise profits by keeping labour costs low whereas employees want to maximise their wages and benefits
- The union act as the collective voice of the employees and bargains with the employer on behalf of all workers
