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
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
