Flexibility

Question 0

What are the types of preference for temporary work?

Answer 0

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

Question 1

Describe the old and new psychological contract

Answer 1

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

Question 2

What happens when the contract is breached?

Answer 2

Employees redress the balance by reducing commitment

Question 3

What did McDonald and Makin find?

Answer 3

Commitment often higher among those just outside but wanting to join the

Question 4

What did Biggs and Swailes find?

Answer 4

Agency workers had significantly lower levels of organisational commitment

Question 5

What happens when changes to the contract are forced from permanent and temporary work?

Answer 5

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

Question 6

What are the four types of contract?

Answer 6

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

Question 7

What is the psychological contract?

Answer 7

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

Question 8

In order to be behaviourally flexible what qualities must a manager have?

Answer 8

Ability to manage complexity and uncertainty
Tolerance of ambiguity
Willingness to acquire new behaviour and attitudes

Question 9

What qualities does an employee need to be flexible?

Answer 9

Annell and Wilson

Desire to seek feedback on performance
Desire to improve
Ability to see multiple perspectives
Readiness to accept responsibility

Question 10

What are the negative aspects of flexibility?

Answer 10

Toynbee

Appalling conditions-agency workers brought into undercut existing wages
Workers dismissed and reemployed to prevent them acquiring rights

Question 11

What are the business benefits of flexible working?

Answer 11

Thompson

Improve business performance
Efficiency savings
Reduced recruitment and retention costs

Question 12

How can work intensification happen?

Answer 12

May be imposed after downsizing
May be enabled
Maybe reciprocal in exchange for discretion

Question 13

What may be a consequence of flexibility?

Answer 13

Work intensification

Kelliher-expressed by those who work remotely or reduced hours as they exert additional effort

Question 14

What do Kelliher and Anderson say?

Answer 14

Many employers have increased flexible working options in response to increased interest in work life balance, the need to be competitive and legislation

Question 15

What are the twin dimensions of employment flexibility?

Answer 15

Multi-employer or single employer

Employee or non employee

Question 16

What is Marchington say about the employment contract?

Answer 16

Question is whether it is under the influence of single or multiple employers

Question 17

Describe Atkinsons flexible firm model

Answer 17

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

Question 18

What did Truss say about workers on flexible contracts?

Answer 18

More satisfied, more emotionally engaged and more likely to speak positively about the organisation

Question 19

What does Guest say about flexibility?

Answer 19

Frequently identified as key HR policy goal in order to ensure adaptable structure

Question 20

What did French say?

Answer 20

Increase search for work life balance and employers need to support this to maximise performance