Workforce planning

Question 1

Define workforce planning

Answer 1

A detailed plan of the strategies that the HR department will undertake to ensure that future workforce needs are met.

Question 2

Factors that influence workforce planning

Answer 2

• Business objectives – Such as increasing output or opening new branches will require more employees.
• Labour market changes – Trends will have implications for recruitment or retention of staff.
• Demographic and social change – Demographic change, such as ageing population in UK, is affecting both demand for products and services required by this age group.
• Technological change – Is leading to large change in ways of working and skills needed in a workforce.

Question 3

Strategies of keeping staff:

Answer 3

• Improve working environment
• Motivational strategies
• Bonuses
• Pay rise
• Training
• Promotions

Question 4

Strategies of increasing staff:

Answer 4

• External recuitment
• Advertising

Question 5

Stratergies of decreasing staff

Answer 5

• Natural wastage
• Make redudant

Question 6

Benefits of workforce planning

Answer 6

• Helps business tackle problems such as staff shortages, control of staffing costs.
• Helps ensure the production of quality and services.
• Decides how many employees will be needed
• Manage employment expenditure by anticipating changes
• Ensure with sufficient and appropriate training and development is provided.
• Reduce employee turnover
• Manage staff performance and sickness absence

Question 7

Drawbacks of workforce planning

Answer 7

• Financial implications
• Takes a lot of time
• May not be accurate as only a prediction
• What’s happening in the economy