Work and ICT Flashcards
Changes in work: Issues
—Fears of redundancy with lost jobs. Less staff are often needed to do the same amount of work once computers are introduced. / New system may replace staff who performed manual processes e.g. filing, etc.
—Change in work patterns - split shifts or change of hours or night work, 24/7.
—Fear of reduction in status and job satisfaction. Management Information systems means less middle managers are needed so departmental heads may lose power./ Data warehousing means all data is stored centrally and is available to all some departments who used to be asked for the information are downgraded in status.
—Change in internal procedures – may make staff take on extra responsibilities for no extra money.
Fear of Retraining/Fear of looking ridiculous - Established staff members may feel their lack of ICT skill and knowledge may make them look incompetent.
—Changes in location/Organisational structure - Office space requirements are reduced so need smaller premises with reductions in rents, rates, utility bills. /New premises may not be in original location causing problems with journeys to work. / Sometimes they are relocated to different cities which could lead to either loss of job or relocation expenses. E.g. some jobs may go abroad to call centres /breaking down friendship groups.
—Fear of Health risks from working with computers, back problems etc.
Changes in work: Resolving Issues
—Appropriate training/retraining – to ensure all staff understand the new system and wondering what to do.
—Explanation of the advantages – so that staff can see how they will benefit by making the job easier/ more interesting / answer any queries.
—Spell out the implications of the new system (meetings)– to help stop rumours which give people stress / allow staff to express worries.
—Opportunity to learn new skills – enable staff to improve their job prospects.
—Involvement in the development of the new system – so that the staff can have a system which is straightforward to use.
—Keeping social groups together / not disrupt working relationships – less stress / work together as a team.
Teleworking: Definition
Teleworking is using network communication systems to work whilst traveling or at home.
Teleworking Employee: Advantages
—Flexibility
—Focus / No pressure
—Reduces environmental issues
—Ability to live wherever they want
—No Traveling (less time and money).
—Ideal for disable people
Teleworking Employee: Disadvantages
—Distractions.
—Difficult to collaborate
—Social isolation.
—Electricity bills
—Some employees pay less, as there’s more competition.
—Boundary between work and home is lost.
—Loss of status.
Teleworking Employer: Advantages
—Smaller offices are needed.
—Fewer backup staff are needed to be employed
—Reduces officer overhead costs
—Staff may be able to work flexible hours to suit company
—Employ workers from wider pool
Teleworking Employer: Disadvantages
—Hard to determine how hard staff are working
—Harder for managers to manage the work.
—Increased number of sites for ICT equipment may cause more security risks.
—Difficult to hold meetings.
—Health and safety checks needed on employee home.
Video Conferencing: Definition
Companies can set up meetings for face to face communication between people who are not in the same room, building or even country
Video Conferencing: Uses
Medicine
- –Real-time diagnosis and consultation, as patients or doctors from rural/abroad can talk to patients without the need to travel.
- –Specialised centres can be contacted about a patients illness without them having to be transferred there
- –Real-life surgery to help training of staff or the inspection of procedures
- –Share new ideas across the globe
Education
- –To connect students to teachers
- –Virtual tours
- –Communicate with experts abroad
- –Communicate with pupils from foreign countries, improving their modern foreign language skills
Business
- –Perform job interviews across the globe
- –Cost-efficient training to be performed among staff without the cost and time requirements of sending them to central locations
Video Conferencing: Benefits to employees
—Less stress as no delay in traffic or airports
—More time for family, as no need to travel to meetings
—Less nerve-racking than face-to-face meetings, enabling ideas to flow more easily.
Video Conferencing: Benefits to employers
—Seek expert knowledge aboard without having to spend money on flights and hotels
—Allows employers to keep track of staff productivity if teleworking is used
—Allows the company to be more environmentally friendly
Video Conferencing: Benefits to society
—Less traffic on roads
—Boost the flow of communication
—More environmentally friendly
—More job opportunities for people living in rural areas
Video Conferencing: Disadvantages
—Time zones
—Its not as personal as a one-to-one meeting
—Relying on technology- picture not very clear, etc.
—Extra training needed
—Confidential issues
