changes in working practices

Question 1

Functions of the HR Department

Answer 1

*Recruitment & Staffing
*Employee training & Development
*Performance Management
*Employee Relations

Question 2

Changes in Working Practices (Factors)

Answer 2

*Decline in trade union power
*Loss of employment
*Increasing number of women in the workforce

Question 3

Flexible working

Answer 3

An employee on flexible hours has an agreed number of working hours that must be worked- remainder of the hours can be worked on a flexible basis

Question 4

Flexible working (Meaning 1)

Answer 4

An acceptance by staff and management that rigid demarcation can lead to long term success- Multi- Skilling

Question 5

Flexible working (Meaning 2)

Answer 5

The use of staff patterns that are not dependent on full-time, permanent jobs. Flexible working practices include part-time, flexi-time, job-sharing, teleworking.

Question 6

Homeworking

Answer 6

The practice of employees working from their own homes rather than commuting to a physical office/ workplace.
🙂- Flexibility, Cost and Savings, Increased Productivity.
☹- Isolation, Distractions, Work-Life boundaries

Question 7

Part-time Employment

Answer 7

Part-time employees are employed to meet the needs of the employer. At quieter times the core full-time staff are sufficient.
🙂- Flexibility, Reduced Stress, Additional income
☹- Lower Income, Less job security

Question 8

Temporary Employment

Answer 8

employment for a specific period of time, for example six months to cover maternity leave.
🙂- Quick Employment, Skill development
☹- Job insecurity, Limited Benefits

Question 9

Job Sharing

Answer 9

The splitting of an existing job enables two people to share it.
🙂- Retaining Employees, Motivating
☹- Costs of Training, Communication breakdown

Question 10

Multi-Skilling

Answer 10

Businesses trading their work force to be able to work multiple tasks.🙂- Flexibility, Motivation
☹- Overload/ Stress, Training costs

Question 11

Hot-Desking

Answer 11

An employee has no fixed workspace within an office.
🙂- Cuts down office space, Increased innovation
☹- Breakdown of workplace relationships

Question 12

Zero-Hour Contracts

Answer 12

An employee has to be able for work but is not guaranteed any.
🙂- Provides total flexibility
☹- Employees sent home, no income security