changes in working practises Flashcards
what are the 8 different methods of working practices you need to know?
-home-working
-hot-desking
-job sharing
-flexible working
-part-time
-seasonal employment
-zero-hours contracts
-multi-skilling
whats flexible working?
Flexible working refers to a work arrangement where employees have more control over when, where, and how they work, rather than adhering to a fixed schedule or location.
whats job sharing?
The splitting of an existing job to enable two people to share it.
advantages to job sharing?
- Able to retain employees who otherwise may leave if unable to go part time
- Meets employee request, keeps them happy and well motivated
- Somebody in place for at least part of the time if that staff member is on leave or ill
- The business may gain from ideas of two people
disadvantages to job-sharing?
- costs for training another employee.
- Communication between the two employees may be lost
- employee less motivated as promotions less common
what is multi-skilling?
This involves businesses training their workforce to be able to work effectively across a wide range of tasks.
advantages to multi-skilling
- flexibility
- Multi-skilled employees are likely to be better motivated
- less need to hire new staff
- motivated due to increased job security
disadvantages to multi-skilling
-may be time consuming and expensive to train all the staff
- demotivated staff due to stress
- confusion due to increased responsibility
what’s home-working?
When an employee completes tasks from their own home
advantages of home working to employees
-better worklife balance, greater flexibility
-the stress of travelling is reduced
disadvantages of home working to employees
-may miss out on social interactions/office-based community
-less communication with managers/supervisors
advantages to home-working for employers
☑ Costs are reduced as less equipment and space is
needed.
☑ Staff may be more motivated if the benefits of
home-working suit their lifestyle.
disadvantages of home-working for employers
☒ May be more difficult to monitor and control staff.
☒ Communication problems may occur especially if staff are working online
whats a zero-hour contract?
This type of contract means that an employee has to be available for work but is not guaranteed any work.
advantages of a zero-hour contract?
- total flexibility for employees as they can decide based on there availability
- cost efficient as employers only pay how for hours worked
- flexibility for employers as they can hire at any time
disadvantages of a zero-hour contract?
- If demand for labour falls, employees may find
they have no hours - Employees on these contracts have virtually no
income security at all.
whats hot-desking?
Hot-desking means that an employee has no fixed workspace within an office environment.
advantages of hot-desking?
- Hot-desking cuts down the need for office space
- It is supposed to allow greater innovation
- encourages workers to be on time
disadvantages of hot-desking?
- Some employees may complain about the breakdown of workplace relationships
- lack of productivity due to time finding a desk
what are working patterns
the ways employees are contracted to work
overall advantages of changing working patterns on employees
- Some employees only want to work part-time
- Home working reduces transport costs/stress.
- allows employees to develop work patterns that suit their own lifestyles
overall disadvantages of changing working patterns on employees
- Wages can decrease - lower pay but fewer hours if part-time/job sharing.
- May not feel the same sense of belonging
- Greater insecurity - temporary contracts provide less security.
overall advantages of changing working patterns on employers
- Employees work more effectively
- If multi-skilled can be moved around the department in case of e.g. cover sickness and holidays.
- Reduce costs - part time working, e.g. accountant.
overall disadvantages of changing working patterns on employers
- Extra cost of training if part-time/job sharing
- More difficult to administer/co-ordinate
- Staff turnover can be high if using temporary staff.
- Reduction in quality of work/less qualified employees.
