1.4.1 Approaches to staffing (2/3) - flexible working

Question 1

Flexible workforce

Answer 1

A workforce that can respond, in quantity and type, to the changing demands of the business environment

Question 2

How can a flexible workforce help a business

links to demand

Answer 2

Can help them respond to changes in demand

Question 3

The approaches of flexible working

4 in total

Answer 3

1) Multiskilling
2) Outsourcing
3) Part time and temporary staff
4) Flexible hours & home working

Question 4

Multi-skilling

Answer 4

The process of training employees in more than one skillset

Question 5

Multi-skilling advantage - 1

Answer 5

1) Flexibility
- Workers able to fill in for absent employees + utilises workforce more efficiently.as a result reduces labour costs and increases/maintain productivity

Question 6

Multi-skilling disadvantages - 1

Answer 6

Significant investment in training and investment -1

Question 7

Outsourcing

Answer 7

Moving manufacturing businesses elsewhere e.g to somewhere cheaper

Question 8

Outsourcing advantages - 2

Answer 8

1) Costs are lowered e.g labour costs as you’re not hiring more employees
2) Work outsourced maybe undertaken more effectively (especially if specialists are employed)

Question 9

Outsourcing disadvantages - 1

Answer 9

1) Outsourced work may be of lower quality

Question 10

Part time workers

Answer 10

People who normally work for 2/3 days a week

Question 11

Part time work advantages for businesses

Answer 11

1) Provides flexibility for the business e.g part time workers employed during peak hours of weekend
2) Lower costs e.g labour costs as not all employees working 24/7

Question 12

Temporary workers

Answer 12

Those employed for a limited period of time

e.g big events like festivals , olympics

Question 13

Temporary workers advantages for businesses - 1

Answer 13

Allows a business to respond to short changes in demand

Question 14

Temporary worker disadvantages for business - 1

Answer 14

Employees may not feel as committed to the company as they don’t have a permanent contract

May be lower quality + productivity levels

Question 15

Flexible working hours

Answer 15

alternate arrangements or schedules from the traditional working day and week.It’s normally tailored to fit the needs of employees.

Question 16

Flexible working hour contracts

Answer 16

1) Part time
2) Temporary
2) Zero hours
3) Home working
4) Flexi - time

Question 17

Zero hour contracts

pros

cons

Answer 17

A type of contract whereby the employer is not obliged to provide any minimum number of working hours

• You work when you’re needed and called upon
  1) Provides flexibility for businesses. Can call workers whenever needed
  1) Worker not ‘obliged’ to work as they can turn it down. May have to keep searching to check availability of workers.
  2) Unpopular amongst employees as they don’t offer financial security.

Question 18

Home workers

pros

cons

Answer 18

People who undertake regular work from home

1) Employee satisfaction as it maybe suitable for their lifestyle e.g looking after kids
2) Fewer problems relating to absenteeism due to bad weather & transportation delays
3) Reduces costs for businesses e.g office space , equipment, electricity
1) Communication problems if staff can’t be contacted
2) Difficult to monitor quality and quantity of work being undertaken
3) Thin line from working and home life -> maybe distractions

Question 19

Flexi-time

pros

cons

Answer 19

schedule that allows workers to alter their workday and decide/adjust their start and finish times.

1) Job satisfaction
2) Can attract talent as it is an appealing way of working.
1) Communication issues between ( employees and employees ) and ( employees and management) if working different times

Question 20

Overall pros of flexible working (main points)

Redbook

Answer 20

1) Allows a business to respond to short changes in demand
2) Specialist jobs can be done by experts who do not have to be permanently employed (outsourcing)
3) Easier to manage staffing costs

Question 21

Overall cons of flexible working (main points)

Redbook

Answer 21

1) Employees may not feel committed to the company if they don’t have a permanent contract (temporary contract link)
2) Communication can be a problem ( Flexi-time, home working link)
3) Outsourced work may be of low quality