1.4.1 Approaches to staffing (2/3) - flexible working Flashcards
Flexible workforce
A workforce that can respond, in quantity and type, to the changing demands of the business environment
How can a flexible workforce help a business
links to demand
Can help them respond to changes in demand
The approaches of flexible working
4 in total
1) Multiskilling
2) Outsourcing
3) Part time and temporary staff
4) Flexible hours & home working
Multi-skilling
The process of training employees in more than one skillset
Multi-skilling advantage - 1
1) Flexibility
- Workers able to fill in for absent employees + utilises workforce more efficiently.as a result reduces labour costs and increases/maintain productivity
Multi-skilling disadvantages - 1
Significant investment in training and investment -1
Outsourcing
Moving manufacturing businesses elsewhere e.g to somewhere cheaper
Outsourcing advantages - 2
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)
Outsourcing disadvantages - 1
1) Outsourced work may be of lower quality
Part time workers
People who normally work for 2/3 days a week
Part time work advantages for businesses
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
Temporary workers
Those employed for a limited period of time
e.g big events like festivals , olympics
Temporary workers advantages for businesses - 1
Allows a business to respond to short changes in demand
Temporary worker disadvantages for business - 1
Employees may not feel as committed to the company as they don’t have a permanent contract
May be lower quality + productivity levels
Flexible working hours
alternate arrangements or schedules from the traditional working day and week.It’s normally tailored to fit the needs of employees.
Flexible working hour contracts
1) Part time
2) Temporary
2) Zero hours
3) Home working
4) Flexi - time
Zero hour contracts
pros
cons
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.
Home workers
pros
cons
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
Flexi-time
pros
cons
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
Overall pros of flexible working (main points)
Redbook
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
Overall cons of flexible working (main points)
Redbook
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
