Changes in working practice

Question 1

why have changes happened in the working practice?

Answer 1

• the decline in trade union power
• the end of demarcation (a process that separated different types of work and assigned them to members of different trade unions)
• the loss of employment in heavy industry
• the increasing number of women in the workforce.

Question 2

what is flexible working?

Answer 2

when someone has an agreed number of working hours that are made up of core hours (that must be worked) – the remainder of the contracted hours can be worked on
a flexible basis

Question 3

what is job sharing?

Answer 3

the splitting of an existing job to enable two
people to share it

Question 4

what are the benefits of job sharing?

Answer 4

• the business can gain ideas from two employers
• keeps staff happy

Question 5

what are the disadvantages of job sharing?

Answer 5

• training costs to the business
• could cause inefficiency and communication issues

Question 6

what is multi-skilling?

Answer 6

involves businesses training their workforce to be able to work across a wide range of tasks

Question 7

what are the advantages of multi-skilling?

Answer 7

• a greater degree of flexibility
• better motivated

Question 8

what is part time employment?

Answer 8

part-time workers are employed at busy periods to meet the needs of the employer - cost saving

Question 9

what are zero hours contracts?

Answer 9

the employee has to be available for work but is not guaranteed any work

Question 10

what are the benefits (for employers) of zero hours contracts?

Answer 10

provides employers with total flexibility

Question 11

what are the drawbacks (for employees) of zero hour contracts?

Answer 11

they have virtually no income security

Question 12

what is hot desking?

Answer 12

an employee has no fixed workspace within an office environment (desk is shared)

Question 13

what are the advantages of hot desking?

Answer 13

• cuts down the need for office space
• allow greater innovation and encourages new networks in the workplace

Question 14

what are the drawbacks of hot desking?

Answer 14

breakdown of workplace relationships (can feel disconnected from the organisation)

Question 15

what is temporary employment?

Answer 15

employment for a specific period of time, for example six months to cover maternity
leave

Question 16

what are the advantages of changing working patterns to the EMPLOYER?

Answer 16

• less late arrivals because of rush hour traffic
• higher sets of skills - job sharing, multi-skilled
• working from home means less equipment needs to be bought
• meet employers needs and wants (higher morale -> more productivity)

Question 17

what are the advantages of changing working patterns to the EMPLOYEE?

Answer 17

• feel more in control (suits their lifestyles)
• no need to travel - less fuel costs/damage to personal vehicles
• can arrange personal life around working hours e.g children, appointments (allows employee to working morning/afternoon/night)

Question 18

what are the disadvantages of changing working patterns to the EMPLOYER?

Answer 18

• difficult/more expensive to organise training
• specific staff might not be available when needed
• can’t monitor hours
• reduction in quality of work
• could cost more as employer needs to purchase equipment for home-working

Question 19

what are the disadvantages of changing working patterns to the EMPLOYEE?