HR: Changes In Working Practice

Question 1

Flexible working

Answer 1

An employee has an agreed number of working hours- made up of core hours that must be worked and the rest of the contracted hours can be worked on a flexible basis

Question 2

Multi skilling

Answer 2

This involves businesses training their workforce to be able to work effectively across a wide range of tasks

Question 3

Advantages of multi skilling

Answer 3

•this offers a greater degree of flexibility
•better motivated staff
•change will be far easier to implement

Question 4

Job sharing

Answer 4

The splitting of an existing job to enable two people to share it

Question 5

Benefits of job sharing

Answer 5

•able to retain employees who otherwise may leave if unable to go part time- an experienced, valued member of staff
•meets employee request, keeps them happy and motivated- performance may suffer if they had to stay full time
•somebody in place for at least part of the time if that staff member is on leave or ill
•business may gain from ideas of two people

Question 6

Disadvantages of job sharing

Answer 6

•administration costs for training another employee
•communication between both may breakdown on occasions- possible inefficiency
•business will have to communication same info to two people
•one person may not be available to attend important meetings
•will the person chosen for the job share be acceptable to the business owners and will they even agree?

Question 7

Part-time employment

Answer 7

During busy periods, part-time employees are employed to meet the needs of the employer; at quieter times the core full-time staff are sufficient- has cost saving implications

Question 8

Home-working

Answer 8

A good PC and broadband connection can mean that many tasks can be fulfilled by working from home

Question 9

Benefits to employee of home-working

Answer 9

•greater flexibility in combining work with domestic responsibilities (childcare)- work life balance improved
•stress of traveling is reduced
•cost savings on travelling, work clothes, food

Question 10

Drawbacks to employee on home working

Answer 10

•may miss out on social interaction with colleagues- isolation
•more difficult to impress management if ambitious
•may miss out on experience of learning from others

Question 11

Benefits to employer on home working

Answer 11

•costs reduced as less equipment and space is needed
•absenteeism as a result of bad weather is eliminated
•lateness is no longer an issue
•staff may be more motivated if benefits of home working suit their lifestyle

Question 12

Drawbacks for employers on home working

Answer 12

•may be more difficult to monitor and control staff
•communication problems may occur especially if staff are working online
•cross fertilisation of ideas nay be reduced if staff don’t communication with each other frequently

Question 13

Zero-hours contracts

Answer 13

This type of contract means that an employee has to be available for work but is not guaranteed any work

Question 14

Benefits of zero hours contract

Answer 14

•provides employers with total flexibility

Question 15

Drawbacks on zero hours contracts

Answer 15

•if demand for labour falls, employees may find themselves sent home
•employees on these contracts have virtually no income security at all

Question 16

Hot desking

Answer 16

An employee has no fixed workspace within an office environment

Question 17

Benefits of hot desking

Answer 17

•cuts down the need for office space
•allows greater innovation and encourages new networks to be established in the workplace

Question 18

Drawbacks of hot desking

Answer 18

•employees who are forced can complain of the breakdown of workplace relationships and can feel disconnected from the organisation

Question 19

Temporary employment

Answer 19

Employment for a specific period of time, for example six months to cover maternity leave, or for employers who are seeking employees with specific skills for a set period of time

Question 20

Advantages of changing working patterns to the employer

Answer 20

•if multi-skilled can be moved around the department/turn hand to other jobs (sickness, holiday)
•employees work more effectively/more productively/better motivated if they choose working patterns that suit them
•can better meet employers needs (demand for employees)
•less equipment needed in home working- saves costs
•fewer absenteeism and lateness problems
•business responds more readily to changing circumstances
•two sets of skills if job sharing
•employers can have cover for busy periods of the day/year

Question 21

Disadvantages of changing working patterns to employer

Answer 21

•extra cost of training: part-time, job sharing
•more staff to manage too
•more difficult to communicate when staff aren’t always present
•specific staff may not be available when needed
•team working more difficult to achieve if not working the same hours- more difficult to monitor
•home working can cost more in the provision of equipment
•staff turnover can be high if using temporary staff
•less loyalty from peripheral employees
•reduction in quality of work- less qualified employees

Question 22

Advantages of changing working patterns to employee

Answer 22

•less stress juggling work and home
•can work to personal preference- in control
•some employees only want to work part-time
•no need to travel if home working- can work long distances
•becoming multi-skilled enhances job prospects
•home working reduces transport costs and stress
•increases self-esteem

Question 23

Disadvantages of changing working patterns of employee

Answer 23

•wages can decrease
•less promotion opportunities
•lower status than full-time staff
•not the same sense of belonging- isolation
•job sharing- difficult to develop an effective working relationship
•can feel isolated from other workers
•greater insecurity- less security (temporary contracts)
•have to be adaptable and retrain