1.4.1 Approaches to Staffing

Question 1

What are HR Approaches?

Answer 1

The overall way in which a business treats its staff

Question 2

What are the 2 opposing HRM approaches?

Answer 2

HARD HRM (Staff as a cost)
SOFT HRM (Staff as an asset)

Question 3

What is Hard HRM?

Answer 3

Staff are treated as a resource that must be managed in order for the business to control costs and output

Question 4

What is Soft HRM?

Answer 4

Staff are treated as an asset to the business that can contribute and help the business achieve its objectives

Question 5

What is a flexible workforce?

Answer 5

A flexible workforce will help a business match the workforce to the business’ needs

Question 6

What are Part-time employees?

Answer 6

Part-time employees are contracted to work less hours than a full time employee e.g. 3 days a week

Offer Flexibility
Hours can be incresed
Firm can maintain good emloyees by offerring part time employees

Question 7

What are Temporary employees?

Answer 7

A person who is contracted to work for a business for a specified period of time e.g. 6 months to cover maternity leave

Question 8

What are the benefits of using temporary and part-time employees?

Answer 8

Flexible workforce
Better able to match supply to demand
Not tied into paying workers when they are not being used to their full potential

Question 9

What are the Disadvantages of using temporary and part-time employees?

Answer 9

Recruitment and training costs may be high and not seen as value for money when employees are only with the business for a short period of time
May be more transient
May lack commitment

Question 10

What are flexible hours and why are the beneficial?

Answer 10

Flexible hours give some degree of autonomy to the employees to chose their own hours of work , normally within certain boundaries

Question 11

What are the benefits of Outsourcing?

Answer 11

Provides flexibility in supply
Can increase capacity without high capital expenditure
Can buy in expertise

Question 12

What is Dismissal?

Answer 12

Dismissal is when an employee’s contract is terminated due to a breach of the terms of that contract by the employee

Incompetence
Disciplinary matter e.g. theft or behaviour

Question 13

What is Redundancy?

Answer 13

Redundancy is a form of dismissal when an employee’s contract of employment is terminated because the job no longer exists

Question 14

What can cause Redundancy?

Answer 14

Closure
Restructuring
Relocation
New technology
Rationalisation

Question 15

What are Trade Unions?

Answer 15

National organisations with a remit to protect its members and improve their economic and working conditions

Question 16

What are the key objectives of Trade Unions?

Answer 16

Securing jobs
Maximising pay
Ensuring safe and acceptable conditions
Fair treatment of members by employers

Question 17

What is Industrial Action?

Answer 17

Industrial action is when the employees take sanctions to try and impose pressure on the employer

Question 18

What are some examples of Industrial Action?

Answer 18

Work to rule
Demonstration
Lobbying
Strike

Question 19

What is ACAS?

Answer 19

ACAS - an independent body that can be called in to help avoid (or resolve) disputes by helping both parties work together

Question 20

What are Works councils?

Answer 20

A group made up of managers and representative employees who meet regularly to discuss issues relating to the business and specifically issues affecting the workforce

Question 21

Employees have a legal right to request a works council if working in a business with over __ employees?

Answer 21

50

Question 22

What are some Advantages of Employee Representation?

Answer 22

Medium for effective 2 way communication
Employers have some understanding of employee perceptions
Improved motivation
Less risk of industrial disputes

Question 23

What are some Disadvantages of Employee Representation?

Answer 23

Opportunity cost of time
Slows down decision making
Employer may not be able to respond to employee wishes

Question 24

Multi-skilling

Answer 24

Multiskilling allows employees to undertake a number of different jobs and it facilitates covering for each other which results in increased workplace flexibility.

Question 25

What is Multi-skilling?

Answer 25

Multiskilling allows employees to undertake a number of different jobs and it facilitates covering for each other which results in increased workplace flexibility.

Question 26

Benefits and disadvantages of multi-skilling?

Answer 26

+ Reduce cost for company as one employee can do 2 or more jobs
+ can reduce redundency chance
- Jack of all trades?

Question 27

Should part time staff be treated the same as full time staff?

Answer 27

Yes