1.4.1 Approaches to Staffing Flashcards
(27 cards)
What are HR Approaches?
The overall way in which a business treats its staff
What are the 2 opposing HRM approaches?
HARD HRM (Staff as a cost) SOFT HRM (Staff as an asset)
What is Hard HRM?
Staff are treated as a resource that must be managed in order for the business to control costs and output
What is Soft HRM?
Staff are treated as an asset to the business that can contribute and help the business achieve its objectives
What is a flexible workforce?
A flexible workforce will help a business match the workforce to the business’ needs
What are Part-time employees?
Part-time employees are contracted to work less hours than a full time employee e.g. 3 days a week
Offer Flexibility
Hours can be incresed
Firm can maintain good emloyees by offerring part time employees
What are Temporary employees?
A person who is contracted to work for a business for a specified period of time e.g. 6 months to cover maternity leave
What are the benefits of using temporary and part-time employees?
Flexible workforce
Better able to match supply to demand
Not tied into paying workers when they are not being used to their full potential
What are the Disadvantages of using temporary and part-time employees?
Recruitment and training costs may be high and not seen as value for money when employees are only with the business for a short period of time
May be more transient
May lack commitment
What are flexible hours and why are the beneficial?
Flexible hours give some degree of autonomy to the employees to chose their own hours of work , normally within certain boundaries
What are the benefits of Outsourcing?
Provides flexibility in supply
Can increase capacity without high capital expenditure
Can buy in expertise
What is Dismissal?
Dismissal is when an employee’s contract is terminated due to a breach of the terms of that contract by the employee
Incompetence
Disciplinary matter e.g. theft or behaviour
What is Redundancy?
Redundancy is a form of dismissal when an employee’s contract of employment is terminated because the job no longer exists
What can cause Redundancy?
Closure Restructuring Relocation New technology Rationalisation
What are Trade Unions?
National organisations with a remit to protect its members and improve their economic and working conditions
What are the key objectives of Trade Unions?
Securing jobs
Maximising pay
Ensuring safe and acceptable conditions
Fair treatment of members by employers
What is Industrial Action?
Industrial action is when the employees take sanctions to try and impose pressure on the employer
What are some examples of Industrial Action?
Work to rule
Demonstration
Lobbying
Strike
What is ACAS?
ACAS - an independent body that can be called in to help avoid (or resolve) disputes by helping both parties work together
What are Works councils?
A group made up of managers and representative employees who meet regularly to discuss issues relating to the business and specifically issues affecting the workforce
Employees have a legal right to request a works council if working in a business with over __ employees?
50
What are some Advantages of Employee Representation?
Medium for effective 2 way communication
Employers have some understanding of employee perceptions
Improved motivation
Less risk of industrial disputes
What are some Disadvantages of Employee Representation?
Opportunity cost of time
Slows down decision making
Employer may not be able to respond to employee wishes
Multi-skilling
Multiskilling allows employees to undertake a number of different jobs and it facilitates covering for each other which results in increased workplace flexibility.
