Unit 3 - Human Resources Flashcards
What are Human Resources?
Human Resources are people who do the work for a business
What’s a Human Resources purpose and plan ?
A plan detailing the workers and bussines needs- how many workers, weather or not they will work full time or part time, skills they should have. When they should work
Why might your Human Resources plan change?
Workers leave/ retire / are promoted
The bussines either grows or shrinks
The bussines may introduce new technology
The bussines may relocate
The budget of a bussines may change
What is an organisational structure?
An organisational structure is how people and departments organise a business.
What’s an organisational chart?
Organisational charts are diagrams that show the internal structure of a business
Benefits of organisational structures…
-See who is responsible for which tasks , functions and people
-see who each person is accountable to
-view lines of communication
-view links between departments
-identify a promotion route
Types of structures of a business…
Flat- many layers
Tall- few layers
Types of spans of control within structures…
Wide span of control= control many people
Narrow span of control= control few people
What is a tall structure ?
An organisational structure that has many levels of heirarchy
What is a flat structure ?
An organisational structure with few levels of heirarchy
What is delayering?
The process of removing levels of heirarchy
Advantages of tall structures…
-more promotion opportunities as there’s more layers
-narrower span of control, manager has more time to spend with subordinates
Advantages of flat structures…
-communication will be quicker
-messages will be more accurate so less mistakes are made
-workers at the bottom will share ideas with those at the top because they know and trust them
Why do large businesses have tall structures?
So there are clear lines of communication and control
Why are flat structures suitable for smaller businesses or creative ones?
They encourage communication between people at different levels
What are the different ways of working ?
-Zero hour contracts
-full time and part time work
-working from home
-flexitime
-working while mobile
-temporary working
What’s a zero hour contract ?
A zero hour contract is when an employee has no set or garanteed hours of work
Advantages and disadvantages of zero hour contacts for the employee..
For employee …
Advantage -zero hour contracts are flexible and particularly appealing to those who may need to turn down work at times. Eg- students
Disadvantage - employees will not have regular Jon security or regular level of income which causes stress
Advantages and disadvantages of zero hour contracts for the business …
For the business ..
Advantage - gives the business flexibility to meet increases in demand
Disadvantage- employees can turn down shifts which may lead to lack of staff for customer demand
Advantages / disadvantages of working at home for the employee…
Advantages - employee will enjoy freedom and trust. Will save time and money travelling
Disadvantages- the employee may be less productive without supervision from their manager. Miss the social side of working with others
Advantages / disadvantages of working from home for the bussines …
Advantages - workers can work longer as they aren’t travelling. Workers work better as they’re less distracted
Disadvantages- workers will not be able to exchange ideas. Costly for bussines to buy technology for workers to use at home
What is flexitime?
Where workers can work their weekly hours in as few or many days as they wish.
Advantages of flexitime…
-Employees can work around their lifestyle and commitments , eg : family . This may lead to higher staff retention.
- less absenteeism as staff won’t need to call in sick
Disadvantages of flexitime….
- Customers may not like inconsistency in employees pattern of working
- communication may not be as good
What is flexible working?
Flexible working relates to working arrangements where there are a variety of options offered to employees in terms of working time, working location and the pattern of working.
Advantages of flexible working for the worker….
Disadvantages of flexible working for the worker…
Advantages- suits people with family commitments. Workers save time and money travelling to work.
Disadvantages-some workers may miss the social side of working with other people
Advantages of flexible working for the bussines…
Disadvantages of flexible working for the busssines….
Advantages- bussines saves costs by needing less office space.
Disadvantages- workers may need more supervision to ensure their working well.
Advantages of flexible working for the bussines…
Disadvantages of flexible working for the busssines….
Advantages- bussines saves costs by needing less office space.
Disadvantages- workers may need more supervision to ensure their working well.
What is working while mobile?
Employers working when they are travelling, on the move or on holiday.
Why do businesses like people working while mobile?
- it has increased productivity of their workers.
Why do employees enjoy working while mobile?
It gives them flexibility over when and where they work.
What is temporary working?
Where workers only work for a short period of time.
Contract is normally for fixed term
Drawbacks of temporary working for workers and for bussines ?
Workers may find their finances are insecure
Shortage of workers when labour is needed
Advantages of self employment?
- creative freedom
-independence
-variety
-salary
Disadvantages of self employment?
-long hours and extra hours of work
-financial risk
-extra responsibilities
- no sick pay
How many people in the UK are self employed?
4.25 million
Why do businesses like using self employed workers?
Because they can use them when they need them, this saves costs and increases profit margins. Don’t have to pay sick pay.
Don’t have to pay pension.
What is written communication?
Process of sharing info using written symbols or text
What is verbal communication?
sharing information between individuals using speech
Advantages of written communication?
-there is a record of the message
-the receiver can read the message to make sure they understand it
-The message can be sent to more than one person at a time
-written message can avoid confusion