CHANGES IN WORKING PRACTICES Flashcards
Why have working practices changed rapidly over the last 30 years
1 decline in trade union power
2 end of demarcation (separating different types of work and assigning them to members of different trade unions
3 loss of employment in heavy industry
4 increasing numbers of women in the workforce
What are changes in demands of labour effected by
1 changes in economy
2 seasonal change
What is the flexible workforce designed to do.
To provide labour in the quantities required at the time the business needs it.
What is flexible working hours give examples
Worker has an agreed number of hours made up of core hours which must be worked at that time and the rest of the hours can be worked at another time
1 working from home
2 part time
3 temporary contract
4 job share
5 multi skilling
6 zero hours contract
7 hot desking
What is home working
Often in IT design and accountancy can have home working time as part of the week- reduces overheads for business and stress of community for worker
What is part time employment n
Often suits parents with young children, hours ar reduced
Describe temporary employment
Employed for a set amount of time to cover an absence ie maternity leave , criticised by unions as offers no security or career development
Describe job sharing
2 people share the hours of 1 job - can avoid taking a career break
Describe multi s killing
Business gives the workforce the skills to be able to do a number of tasks - manufacturers don’t have to wait for a specific trades person to resolve a problem
Describe a zero hours contract
Employee is available to work but is not guaranteed work. If employer is busy employee could do full tie hours , but if business is quiet may get no hours, so no income or security
Describe hot desking
Employee has no fixed place - cuts down need for office space , encourages networking but can result in a breakdown in relationships
Benefits to business of flexible working practices
1 business can expand or shrink workforce quickly in response to demand
2 temporary staff are cheaper as no extra costs and ,ay bring in required skills
3 likely to make business more efficient, lowering costs
Drawbacks to business of flexible working practices
1 temporary workers are less likely to be committed to business and not carry out work to same standard so may damage reputation
2 communications with ,those working at home can be hard. They may feel isolated and unable to collaborate ideas
