Module 2 - Changing nature of work and employment

Question 1

Explain the changing world of work

Answer 1

There has been a change from being a production based economy to a more knowledge-based and service-based economy. This shift has transformed the nature of work.

Question 2

what are some of the changes in the environment which affect the organisation of work?

Answer 2

1. Technological development
2. Government legislation on the workplace (the kaeting government introduced collective bargaining which meant that the role of unions was no longer excluded. The Howard governments workchoices legislated individual contracts).
3. The uncertain state of global and national economics
4. Global competition
5. Changes in the make-up of industry such as moving from a manufacturing industry to a more knowledge-based industry.

Question 3

Why might industrial disputes occur?

Answer 3

o ees might not like the steps managers take to position their company in the market
o They might not like the manager’s attempts to achieve greater productivity and profitability.
o Conflict might occur because a collective agreement is expiring and negotiation of wages and other terms and conditions are not going well
o Sometimes conflict is generated by management style.

Question 4

What is managerial prerogative?

Answer 4

Mangers, as agents of owners are entitled to make decisions as to the use of the assets of a business organisation. In order words, they have the right to make decisions about certain aspects of work (e.g. what work will be done and by which people, when the work will be done, where people will work etc).

Question 5

What are the 4 control systems that management can use to regulate worker behaviour?

Answer 5

1. Direct control which means workers are closely supervised by managers.
2. Technical control refers to using technology to structure jobs and tasks on the assumption that technology determines the best use of work organisation.
3. Administrative control refers to financial, security, production and human resource management systems which together constitute a structure of rules. In service org’s, these types of controls tend to be seen as automatic and rational.
4. Normative control systems establish what behaviour and performance us expected of workers. Normative expectations can be expressed through organisational culture and promoted through human resource management training programs,

Question 6

how many control systems can be used at one time?

Answer 6

1 control system is generally never used just at 1 time rather, the control systems are more likely to be combined in various forms. Sometimes, different control systems may be adopted at different times.

Question 7

explain what is meant by resistance to control

Answer 7

Resistance to control is an attempt by workers to regain some control over dimensions of work organisation that workers value (e.g. they value skill, time, effort, DM and opportunities.

Question 8

give reasons why resistance might occur

Answer 8

1. Control systems may reduce skill levels
2. Control systems may not provide sufficient opportunities for training and career development
3. Control systems may restrict DM to only the minor aspects of an employees’ job or how they organise they’re work.
4. Workers may be excluded from any involvement in policy DM by restricting information and consultation
5. Control systems may intensify work effort.

Question 9

Name some forms of conflict

Answer 9

o Overt – resistance that occurs out in the open and is easy to identify
o Covert – resistance that is suppressed or hidden suppressing overt conflict can lead to an increase in covert conflict.
o Individual – actions taken by an individual such as absenteeism.
o Collective – actions taken by a number of people in support of a common claim or grievance such as a strike
o Proactive- actions taken to improve working conditions, earnings or other aspects of the employment relationship
o Defensive – to protest against decisions made by management or some other authority that alter employment conditions.

Question 10

Name the 4 labour market flexibilities

Answer 10

1. Numerical flexibility
2. Functional flexibility (FF)
3. Financial flexibility
4. Temporal flexibility

Question 11

Explain Numerical flexibility

Answer 11

refers to labour cost minimisation in the organisation. strategies include;
 One crude measure is simply reduce the number of workers and redistribute the work among the remainng employees. This measure might have short-term financial benefits but in the long run, it might also load up additional costs to the employer.
- The use of temporary employees – these types of employees are usually from labour hire agencies to fill periods of higher demand for output (whether in the manufacturare of goods of the provision of services.
- Outsourcing functions formerly performed in work units to external companies
- Signing up independent contractors for certin areas of skill. The advantage to the employer by having independent contracts is that the employers doesn’t need to pay superannuation, recruitment and selection costs, paid SL, OT and penalty rates can be avoided.

Question 12

Explain Functional flexibility

Answer 12

Functional flexibility focuses on strategies to improve productivity and quality of product or service.

• What form does functional flexibility take? It is the adoption of different types of work organisation and human resource management practices that may provide employees with skills, incentives, information and decision-making responsibility that improve business performance and facilitate innovation.

Question 13

Explain Financial flexibility

Answer 13

refers to an organisations ability to manage wages and salaries relative to the external pressures that affect its performance.

Question 14

Explain Temporal flexibility

Answer 14

This flexibility achieved by adjusting working hours or schedules of workers already employed within the firm.

Question 15

What is labour market flexibility?

Answer 15

Labour market flexibility is about how firms adjust to economic, trade and competitive demands.

Question 16

Explain what is said about working longer hours

Answer 16

• In the 20th century, average working time declined because of enactment of legislation by governments which limited weekly working hours to a standard.
• The above point didn’t restrict the total number of hours that can be worked however, it introuduced penalty rates in order to penalise ers who required ees to work beyond a certain standaed.
• Because of labour demand and customer demand, the standard mon-fri is progressively being replaced by flexible work arrangements including shift work and weekend work.

Question 17

Why does work intensification happen?

Answer 17

o Work intensification might arise as a result of numerical flexibility
o Work intensification might also occur with just-in-time production strategies e.g. trying to stay on top of tight deadlines.

Question 18

What is work intensification?

Answer 18

• Work intensification refers to work being extended in terms of time and the faster pace at which it occurs within working time.

Question 19

Why does emotional labour occur?

Answer 19

• Emotional labour occurs where there is a requirement that employees are uniform in their emotional responses e.g. an employer might dictate what counter hands might say to customers.