Flexible Working Flashcards
What are types of office layout?
Open plan - Many staff work together within one large workspace | Cellular - Individual offices where people work on their own
What is the difference between open plan and cellular plan?
In OPEN PLAN employees can communicate easily/ask or help WHEREAS in CELLULAR PLAN they may feel isolated which demotivates | OPEN PLAN has many distractions &, noisy causing stress WHEREAS CELLULAR PLAN is quieter to allow for concentration improving productivity | OPEN PLAN promotes teamwork WHEREAS CELLULAR reduces communication and promotes privacy | OPEN PLAN is easier to supervise WHEREAS CELLULAR is more costly as space is wasted with many individual offices | In OPEN PLAN illnesses can be spread easily WHEREAS CELLULAR gives the ability to personalise working space - heat/lighting can be set to suit individual
What are the features of ergonomics?
Decor - wall colours that are relaxing eg pastel to minimise headaches and eye strain | Good Ventilation - to ensure workers can concentrate | Heating - not too hot/cold, worker more productive in comfortable environment | Noise - adequate desk separators, floor coverings to reduce noise which allows workers to be less distracted | Equipment - Wrist rests, standing desks, foot rests can help with prevention of health related injuries | Furniture - suitable for tasks and adjusted for personal needs eg chairs to ensure comfort
What is the impact of ergonomic environment?
Improved morale and motivation - less complaints | Increased productivity - good reputation | Improved health and safety at work - less absences | More effective workflow - better staff relationships
What are flexible working practices?
Flexi-time - Where start and finish times vary to suit individual needs.
Employees must be in the office for core hours | Homeworking - Where the employee can work with the aid of IT at home at a time which suits their circumstances | Hybrid working - Combines working from home as well as working in the office | Part-time - One person working less hours than a full time post usually 16 - 20 hours | Job share - Two people sharing one full time position + Salary and holidays shares on pro rata basis | Career break - Agreed period of time off with aim to retain a valued staff member + Some take a career break to bring up children or travel the world
What are reasons for changes to work patterns and practices?
Social change - Preference to work flexible to work around lifestyle eg children or to avoid journey and traffic congestion | Legislation - Recent laws have made it easier to be flexible (Flexible Working Regulations 2002/sharing of maternity leave for both parents) | Technology - Developments allow for collaboration and communication anywhere eg home | Cost - Being flexible and encouraging remote working will reduce high cost of city centre office accommodation | Competition - Flexible option sill attract and retain the best recruits
What are advantages of flexible working for an employer?
Happier staff will increase morale and allow them to feel valued and therefore productivity increased | Wider pool of application attracted to work there therefore wider range of skills | Less absenteeism/lateness due to flexibility of hours | Office space is freed up saving costs (including heating and lighting) | Increased loyalty and reduced stress
What are the disadvantages of flexible working for an employer?
Difficult to ensure H&S at home | Harder to supervise when staff outwith building at different times | Relationships with managers/colleagues may suffer as interaction is limited | Increased cost of setting up equipment if homeworking | Difficult to coordinate training to suit all
What are the advantages of flexible working for an employee?
Less stressed and can manage hours around other commitments eg childcare | Saves money and time - from reduced travel to work | More productive - less distractions at home
What are the disadvantages of flexible working for an employee?
Missing training, meetings and information due to reduced time in office | May feel isolated at home - lacks team spirit and building relations with colleagues | Many distractions at home - lack motivation and focus
What ICT has impacted flexible working/workflow?
Email - Allows for communication to be sent to individuals and groups (attach documents) | Cloud - Allows for colleagues to work together on the same document at the same time eg Google Doc in any location | Video conferencing - Allows for face to face meetings/communication to take place anywhere in the world/including on the move | Intranet - Allows colleagues to have secure access to uptodate information and easier to share relevant files | Back ups - Documents are less likely to go missing due/be stolen to enhanced back up and security procedures
