Flexible Working Practices

Question 1

What is flexi-time

Answer 1

When you are able to pick your hours within the week

Most flexi time schedules have a period during the day you must be present, “core time”

Employees can choose when they start at finish

Question 2

What is term-time work

Answer 2

Parents working within school time and students working outside of schooltime

Question 3

What is time off in lieu

Answer 3

Peaks and troughs in demand mean employees may be asked to take time off in lieu

When an employee is asked to work longer hours during busy periods

The additional hours are recorded and the employee can take time off during less busy periods, potentially with limits on amount of hours that can be “saved up”

Question 4

What is job sharing

Answer 4

A full time role split between two people

Question 5

What is remote working

Answer 5

Working from home or another area outside of your place of work

Question 6

What is zero hour contracts

Answer 6

A zero-hour contract is a flexible employment agreement where an employer does not guarantee any minimum working hours, and the worker is not obliged to accept any work offered.

Question 7

What is compressed hours

Answer 7

Compressing a 5 day working week into 4 days by allocating more hours to the days you do work

Question 8

What is annualised hours

Answer 8

Allocating the number of hours of work you do during the whole year

Question 9

What are some advantages of a zero hour contract

Answer 9

Flexible work for students or parents who’s availability may change week-to-week

Employer doesn’t have staff during periods of low demand- saving costs

For government- increase employment levels, more tax,

Question 11

What are some disadvantages of zero hour contracts

Answer 11

Creates anxiety for workers because their income, schedules and hours are uncertain

Employers can exploit employees as employees have less bargaining power, high amounts of worker competition where you must accept shifts or accept lower pay to keep your job

Employees don’t receive holiday entitlement if you work part time hours- decrease in motivation

Reputation(because of assumed exploitation ) may be damaged

Question 13

What are some advantages of remote working

Answer 13

Employees save time and money travelling to work

Businesses can increase numbers of staff without needing more office space

Less distractions at home- increased productivity

Motivation increase as employee feels trusted

Question 14

What are some disadvantages of remote working

Answer 14

Can be demotivating as social aspect of work is removed

Can cause communication issues

Some employees may be more distracted at home- productivity decrease and do less work without discipline

Can be demotivating because of the link between home and workplace, damages work-life balance

Question 15

What are some advantages of flexi- time

Answer 15

Increased Productivity: Staff can work during their most productive hours

Improved Recruitment and Retention: Offering flexibility makes a company more attractive to high-quality candidates

Higher Motivation: Increased autonomy and trust from employers lead to improved job satisfaction.

Question 16

What are swim disadvantages of flexi- time

Answer 16

Communication my be disrupted as people are in the office at different times time

Meeting become difficult to schedule

Variable costs increase as premises need to be open longer- increased overheads

Question 17

What are some advantages of pert-time working

Answer 17

Makes the business cost efficient- no need for full time staff to without demand

Increased retention- after an employee has a child they may come back to the business part time- saves in cost if recruitment

Question 18

What are some disadvantages of part-time working

Answer 18

Leads to more training if employees as you may have to hire more part-time workers- opportunity cost

Communication may become more difficult

Question 19

What are some advantages of term-time working

Answer 19

Employees can look after their children- improve motivation as a hygiene factor

Possible positive reputation as the business is seen as “family friendly”

Question 20

What are some disadvantages of term-time working

Answer 20

Business may need to increase staff outside of term time- may lead to stress and demotivation from permanent employees

Employee may not be paid off term time depending on business

Question 21

What are some advantages of time off in lieu

Answer 21

Businesses may become more efficient as they don’t have to pay employees for working during non-busy periods

Question 23

What are some disadvantages of time off in lieu

Answer 23

Unexpected changes in demand may cause business to be understaffed

Question 24

What are some advantages of job sharing

Answer 24

Employees are able to work the days or hours that suit them and the business can gain staff it needs

If one of the job shares is absent, the business has some of the tasks covered by the other job sharer, who may be able to do extra work if for a short period of time

Question 25

What are some disadvantages of job sharing

Answer 25

Additional administrative costs for employing two people instead of one Planning may be required to ensure job sharers have a similiar approach to-ensuring consistency If job sharers have

Question 26

What are some advantages of compressed hours

Answer 26

Working one day less reduces commuting costs Reduced costs in childcare Employee may reduce costs eg benefits like free meals Staff motivation increases, extra day off Productivity may increase

Question 27

What are some disadvantages of compressed hours

Answer 27

Longer working day for employees- longer into the working day productivity may decrease A loss of production/ service if staff have a day off

Question 28

What are some advantages if annualised hours

Answer 28

Allows employers to use workforce when needed - No need for employers to pay expensive overtime rates- reducing costs and helping business remain competitive

Question 29

What are some disadvantages of annualised hours

Answer 29

Being “on call” may be restrictive for employers Uncertaintainty when employees may be called may cause anxiety Opportunity for overtime may be lost Additional administrative costs for employers to calculate and operate the system