1.4.1 Approaches to staffing Flashcards
What are staff?
employees in the business
Define staffing
The process of hiring, training and supervising employees in a business
What 2 things can owners within a business see their workforce as?
An asset or a cost
How are staff treated if they’re seen as a cost by businesses?
-Treat simply as a resource of the business
-Have a strong link with business planning like resources needed and how to get them and how much they’ll cost
Give 3 features businesses are likely to do when they see staff as a cost
-provide minimum legal sick and holiday pay
-provide basic working conditions
-autocratic leadership style (one person makes all decisions with no input from staff)- little empowerment
How are staff treated if they’re seen as an asset by businesses?
-treated as the most important resource in the business and a source of competitive advantage
-employees’ needs are planned accordingly
Give 3 features businesses are likely to do when they see staff as an asset
-competitive pay structure with performance-related rewards
-develop policies to motivate staff
-flatter organizational structures so staff input considered in decisions
Give 2 advantages of viewing staff as a cost to the business
-Increasing profit margins- by minimizing staff costs businesses can increase their profit margins, allowing for reinvestment
-cost saving- paying minimum wage and reducing training cost means the business can save money and preserve the cash flow
Give 2 disadvantages of viewing staff as a cost to the business
-reduced productivity- limited empowerment and lack of investment can lead to lower productivity as employees may not be motivated to perform at their best
-prioritizing immediate cost saving in staff over long term investment in staff can hinder the businesses growth for the future
Summarise benefits and disadvantages for viewing staff as a cost to a business
It may result in more cost-effective workforce where decision-making is faster but a cost-based approach may suffer from higher absenteeism (staff regularly not turning up without good reason)
Give 2 advantages of viewing staff as an asset to the business
-improved customer service as happy employees provide better service boosting loyalty
-increased innovation and productivity - employees will contribute their ideas when they feel valued
Give 2 disadvantages of viewing staff as an asset to the business
-higher cost- investment in training, benefits, and salaries increases business expenses
-time-consuming- developing employees takes time and resources
Summarise benefits and disadvantages for viewing staff as a asset to a business
It will motivate staff more effectively however being too soft when all employee benefits are added up the cost of workforce may leave a business at a competitive disadvantage
What is flexible working?
Working arrangements where there’s a variety of options offered to employees in terms of working time, working location and pattern of working
What are types of flexible working
Look on sheet in folder
Give 3 benefits of a flexible workforce
-Cost saving- businesses can make savings on overheads if it doesnt have to provide office and accommodation for employees
-Flexible working results in better job satisfaction and higher staff morale, leads to higher productivity
-helps businesses meet customer demand to deliver services 24/7 as they can offer extended opening hours
Give 2 drawbacks of a flexible workforce
-Lower employee productivity: Employees may not be motivated if working outside the office as there are many distractions
-lack of communication due to limited face-to-face interaction: people may misinterpret info which may lead to decreased employee engagement–> decreased motivation
What is multiskilling/multi-tasking
Where staff are allowed to carry out a variety of tasks rather than specialise, this enables greater use of job rotation which increases motivation
What is outsouring?
Subcontracting some tasks to outside the business as they’re experts
What is offshoring?
When work is sent over seas to be completed
How does quality differ when doing tasks in house compared to outsourcing?
Outsourcing often uses specialists who have greater experience and use better equipment however carrying out tasks in house is useful as the business can trace problems
How does cost differ when doing tasks in house compared to outsourcing?
In outsourcing the supplier is likely to achieve economies of scale whereas in house may be too small to benefit from eos
How does flexibility differ when doing tasks in house compared to outsourcing?
Outsourcing are likely to have greater capacity and than in house but in house will be able to respond to change quicker
Define dismissal
where employees are dismissed because of a break of contract or other unacceptable behavior/performance
What is redundancy?
Where employees lose their jobs as the job is no longer required by the business
(requires redundancy payments)
When is employee representation?
an employee’s right to seek a union or individual to represent them for the purpose of negotiating with management on issues such as wages, hours, benefits and working conditions.
what are 2 advantages of employee representation?
-It provides an opportunity to discuss and order priorities, which increases employees’ sense of involvement and therefore efficiency
-better decision making as employee insights are taken into account
What are 2 disadvantages of employee representation?
-conflicts between employer and employees interests may be a block to essential change
-Employees may try to determine the order of priorities within the organisation which may be to further their own interests, rather than those of the business
What is a trade union?
a group of employees who come together to improve their working conditions, job security and protect workers against unfair dismissal
Give an advantage and a disadvantage of trade unions for businesses
A- Empowerment in the workplace improves employee motivation and productivity
D- Including unions in decision-making increases the time period taken to implement changes which can be detrimental to effective competition
Give an advantage and a disadvantage of trade unions for workers
A- Workers enjoy better working conditions
D-Workers do not get paid while on strike
How should businesses avoid industrial disputes (disputes between employers and employees)
Regular communication and honest discussion
eg- team and staff meetings
What are the 2 different approaches to employee and employer relationships?
-individual approach
-collective bargaining
What’s the individual approach?
Where employer and employee negotiate an individual contract of employment and regulating terms and conditions. Assumes that each employee is unique and has their own goals
What is an advantage and a disadvantage of the individual approach
A- single voice so its easier to come to a solution
D- The manager may not take a lot of notice of just one person’s views so nothing will happen
What is collective bargaining?
A process whereby a group of employees negotiate with their employer for better wages, working conditions, and benefits
What’s an advantage and a disadvantage of collective bargaining?
A- manager may feel pressured due to the number of number of people involved
D- all staff receive the same outcome so may not be fair for higher-performing staff
