Flexible workforces. Flashcards
What is a flexible workforce?
Flexible working is defined as working arrangements which allow employees to vary the amount, timing, type, or location of their work,1 usually to the mutual benefit of the individual and organisation.
Why is it beneficial to a business to have a flexible workforce?
It makes it easier to match the work done by employees to the needs of the business.
How can flexible working affect how staff work or their contracts in regards to zero hours contracts?
This is when a firm employs a worker but does not guarantee them hours, so staff only work when they are needed, which is cost effective and efficient. However, staff are not obliged to work, so it can be difficult for employers to find enough staff in busy times. Employees may prefer this so they can work when it suits them, but offers little financial security.
How can flexible working affect how staff work or their contracts in regards to full or part time contracts?
Employees that work full time usually work at least 35 hours a week.
- Part time workers have fewer hours than full time workers, but may be preferred by a business as they can cover absent staff without having to pay for full time work.
How can flexible working affect how staff work or their contracts in regards to permanent or temporary contracts.
A permanent contract has no end date; temporary does - temp contracts are useful as they can cover a businesses temporary increase in need for a particular job, or to cover a current employee who may be off for a long time.
However an employee may feel more valued with a permanent contract and feel more financially secure.
How can flexible working affect how staff work or their contracts in regards to shift work?
This is used when a job requires an amount of work time that is not reasonable for a single worker to do solely. The working day is split into shifts to ensure someone is always covering the job, it is necessary for a business that needs 24 hour cover like factories with continuous production. Or services such as hospitals. Shift workers can choose preferred shifts which can increase flexibility, but night shifts or irregular shifts can be difficult for workers.
How can flexible working affect how staff work or their contracts in regards to home working?
Employees can work from home some or all days of the week. This can save the employee time and travel costs and can commit to more outside commitments.
- However productivity may fall as workers feel more distracted.
Employers can save space and often resources which is more efficient but it’s harder to monitor staff performance from home.
How can flexible working affect how staff work or their contracts in regards to flexitime?
Workers can complete a set amount of hours at times that suit them - may start earlier to leave earlier, with core hours in the middle of the day where all workers may be needed - this can increase motivation as a better work life balance can be established, but can be more difficult to organise things logistically with people coming in an out as suits them.
How can flexible working affect how staff work or their contracts in regards to outsourcing?
Businesses can outsource some tasks to external businesses which can benefit a business as they do not need to invest in training their own staff for tasks that are inconsistently needed to be done.
Why may a multi skilled workforce be beneficial to a business? (Inc a however.)
It means a business can employ fewer people and train less people for specific roles as they can be covered by less people - this can lower recruitment and training costs.
- It also allows for workers to be moved around roles when necessary and absent staff can be covered to maintain output levels.
- It can increase motivation levels as employees have more job rotation and variation - make work less laborious and increase productivity.
- However, may face additional training costs and multi skilled labour may expect better wages.
