THEME 1.4: MANAGING PEOPLE

Question 1

flexible workforce:

Answer 1

-a HR strategy that uses temporary, part-time and peripheral workers to make it easier to respond to fluctuations in demand

Question 2

what are some examples of flexible work?

Answer 2

-part time/ temporary contract
-outsourcing (getting specialists to complete a specific task)
-flexible hours
-work from home
-multi skilling (the ability of workers to carry out a range of tasks)

Question 3

part-time workers:

Answer 3

-are contracted to work less hours then a full time employee

Question 4

temporary employees:

Answer 4

-contracted to work for a business for a specified period of time

Question 5

what is dismissal?

Answer 5

-when an employee’s contract is terminated due to a breach of the terms of that contract by the employee. this could be incompetence or a disciplinary matter (e.g. theft or behaviour)

Question 6

what is redundancy?

Answer 6

-a form of dismissal when an employee’s contract of employment is terminated as it no longer exists

Question 7

2 types of employer/employee relationship:

Answer 7

-individual approach and collective approach

Question 8

individual approach:

Answer 8

-each employee represents themselves.

• each employee would negotiate with management for their own interests
• decisions would be made on a one to one basis rather than for the whole workforce
• individuals may be better equipped for their own corner
• managers can judge each case on individual merit

Question 9

collective approach:

Answer 9

-giving a voice to employees through a recognised body that represents them

• in large discussions one to one discussion in not a realistic option
• the elected voice must have a clear remit and the objectives should be understood by all related parties

Question 10

what are trade unions?

Answer 10

-(3rd party) national organisations with a remit to protect their members and improve their economic and working conditions. they represent members through collective bargaining

Question 11

key objectives of trade unions:

Answer 11

-securing jobs, maximising pay, ensuring safe and acceptable working conditions and fair treatment of members by employees

Question 12

what is industrial action?

Answer 12

-when the employees take sanctions to try and impose pressure on the employer (e.g. work to rule, lobbying or as a last resort a strike)

Question 13

what are work councils?

Answer 13

-elected workers to consult with their employer and represent all workers with trustful co-operation, no authority to strike

Question 14

what are employee committees?

Answer 14

-employees volunteer their time to make suggestions to improve he workplace

Question 15

what is the recruitment process?

Answer 15

-the steps undertaken by a business from identifying the need for a new employee to attracting suitable candidates

Question 16

2 types of recruitment:

Answer 16

-internal and external

Question 17

internal recruitment (adv+disadv) :

Answer 17

adv
= lower recruitment costs
=improved promotion prospects for employees potentially increasing motivation
= quicker process
= known abilities of candidates
= shorter induction period

disadvantage
= reduces talent available
= limits the number of applicants
= missed opportunity and new ideas]= potential friction between internal candidates

Question 18

external recruitment (adv+disadv)

Answer 18

adv
= increases talent
= provides new ideas
= introduce expertise from elsewhere
= increases the number of applicants and therefore choice

disadvantages
= increases recruitment costs
= can upset internal candidates
= may be difficult to accurately assess skills and personality during election process

Question 19

what factors impact process of recruitment and selection?

Answer 19

-job level
-size of business
-cost
-availability of labour

Question 20

what changes in the workplace may require training to be given?

Answer 20

-technology
-changes in legislation

Question 21

main types of training:

Answer 21

-induction
-on the job
-off the job

Question 22

what is Induction training?

Answer 22

-Induction training is important as it enables a new recruit to become productive as quickly as possible. It can avoid costly mistakes by recruits not knowing the procedures or techniques of their new jobs.

Question 23

what is included in Induction training?

Answer 23

-Learning about the duties of the job
-Meeting new colleagues
-Seeing the layout of the premises
-Learning the values and aims of the business
-Learning about the internal workings and policies of the business

Question 24

what is on the job training?

Answer 24

-employees receive training whilst remaining in the workplace
-Demonstration / instruction - showing the trainee how to do the job
-Coaching - a more intensive method of training that involves a close working relationship between an experienced employee and the trainee
-Job rotation - where the trainee is given several jobs in succession, to gain experience of a wide range of activities (e.g. a graduate management trainee might spend periods in several different departments)
-Projects - employees join a project team - which gives them exposure to other parts of the business and allow them to take part in new activities.

Question 25

what is off the job training?

Answer 25

-when employees are taken away from their place of work to be trained.
-e.g. through online training with external courses and lectures