What are key reasons for changes in working practices over the last 30 years?
Decline in trade union power, end of demarcation, loss of heavy industry jobs, and more women entering the workforce.
Q: Name two disadvantages of job sharing.
A: Communication breakdowns, duplicated training/admin costs, and possible inefficiencies.
- Q: Name two benefits of job sharing.
A: Retains valued staff who can’t work full-time, improves motivation and continuity.
- Q: What is job sharing?
A: Splitting one job between two people.
- Q: What is a benefit of multi-skilling?
A: Increases flexibility and reduces dependency on specific staff for specific tasks.
Increases flexibility and reduces dependency on specific staff for specific tasks.
- Q: What is multi-skilling?
Training workers to perform a wide range of tasks.
Give an example of flexible working.
A 35-hour contract with core hours 10am–3pm and the rest worked flexibly (e.g., 8–10am, 3–6pm). Useful for parents.
Q: What is flexible working?
A: A system where employees work an agreed number of hours, with some fixed core hours and the rest flexible.
Q: What types of working patterns are included in flexible working?
Flexi-time, shift work, home working, part-time, job sharing, temporary work, and multi-skilling.
