Flexibility Flashcards
What are the types of preference for temporary work?
Boundaryless worker-high preference for temp work, high skill
Permanent temp worker - high preference for temp work, low skill
Transitional worker- low preference for temp work, high skill
Traditional worker- low preference for temp work, low skill
Describe the old and new psychological contract
Old Parent child Those who stay are loyal Work to retire Primary route promotion
New
Flow of people in and out healthy
Long term employment unlikely
Primary route self accomplishment
What happens when the contract is breached?
Employees redress the balance by reducing commitment
What did McDonald and Makin find?
Commitment often higher among those just outside but wanting to join the
What did Biggs and Swailes find?
Agency workers had significantly lower levels of organisational commitment
What happens when changes to the contract are forced from permanent and temporary work?
Saunders and Thornhill
After period of denial, develop more calculative approach
Some maintain previous attachments
Very few recognise their future employment is no longer concern
What are the four types of contract?
Transactional-limited duration specified performance terms
Transitional-no commitment to future employment and no explicit performance demands
Relational-open-ended membership with incomplete performance requirements
Balanced-open ended relationship oriented with well specified performance terms subject to change
What is the psychological contract?
Argyris & Schein -perceptions of mutual obligations held by the two parties in the employment relationship
Rosseau-formulated only in the minds of the employee and is about individual beliefs shaped by the organisation regarding the terms of exchange
In order to be behaviourally flexible what qualities must a manager have?
Ability to manage complexity and uncertainty
Tolerance of ambiguity
Willingness to acquire new behaviour and attitudes
What qualities does an employee need to be flexible?
Annell and Wilson
Desire to seek feedback on performance
Desire to improve
Ability to see multiple perspectives
Readiness to accept responsibility
What are the negative aspects of flexibility?
Toynbee
Appalling conditions-agency workers brought into undercut existing wages
Workers dismissed and reemployed to prevent them acquiring rights
What are the business benefits of flexible working?
Thompson
Improve business performance
Efficiency savings
Reduced recruitment and retention costs
How can work intensification happen?
May be imposed after downsizing
May be enabled
Maybe reciprocal in exchange for discretion
What may be a consequence of flexibility?
Work intensification
Kelliher-expressed by those who work remotely or reduced hours as they exert additional effort
What do Kelliher and Anderson say?
Many employers have increased flexible working options in response to increased interest in work life balance, the need to be competitive and legislation
What are the twin dimensions of employment flexibility?
Multi-employer or single employer
Employee or non employee
What is Marchington say about the employment contract?
Question is whether it is under the influence of single or multiple employers
Describe Atkinsons flexible firm model
Committed core employees are highly regarded, well-paid, have improved career prospects and in return offer functional flexibility
Periphery - distanced externals with low security Semi-skilled-easy to dismiss and reemploy Underclass working-poor conditions do not show in statistics
What did Truss say about workers on flexible contracts?
More satisfied, more emotionally engaged and more likely to speak positively about the organisation
What does Guest say about flexibility?
Frequently identified as key HR policy goal in order to ensure adaptable structure
What did French say?
Increase search for work life balance and employers need to support this to maximise performance
