Workforce Planning, Human Resource Objective And Strategy

Question 1

What does HR ensure?

Answer 1

Business plans how to best use its workforce and employs the right people at the right time.

Question 2

What is workforce planning?

Answer 2

Process used to plan number and quality of employees required in long/ short term.

Question 3

How does workforce planning meet needs of the business?

Answer 3

Ensure staff fit the needs of a business factors in workforce should be balanced.

Question 4

What factors affect HR needs?

Answer 4

• staff leaving.
• level of budget.
• state of economy.

Question 5

What are factors that affect the ability to meet HR needs?

Answer 5

• availability of workers.
• skills of potential workers.
• legislation.

Question 6

What is outsourcing?

Answer 6

Contracting jobs to external labour. Usually in response to temporary rise in business. Saves money.

Question 7

What are the different types of flexible working practices?

Answer 7

Flexible working hours, term time working (works normal hours in term time, but not the school holidays), structured time off in lieu (work more hours on busy days, take these hours off quitter days), job sharing (morning-afternoon or day-to-day basis).

Question 8

What are the advantages and disadvantages of flexible working practices?

Answer 8

Advantages:
- work hours/ days that suit them.
- if one job sharer is absent, other can take on the work.

Disadvantages:
- extra cost of employing 2 instead of 1.
- careful planning so consistency within job.

Question 9

What is remote working?

Answer 9

Employees work away from business premises.

Question 10

What are the advantages and disadvantages of remote working?

Answer 10

Advantages:
- increased productivity (less distractions).
- saves community in time / choose when to work.
- lower level of absence.

Disadvantages:
- harder to check if employee is actually working.
- initial set up cost for technology is needed.

Question 11

what are zero hour contracts?

Answer 11

Hire staff with no guarantee of work, only work when needed.

Question 12

What are the advantages and disadvantages of zero hour contracts?

Answer 12

Advantages:
- reduce costs as not full time.
- not having to accept offers of work gives employees flexibility.

Disadvantages:
- no certainty of employment.
- no job security.

Question 13

What is compressed hours?

Answer 13

Same number of hours, less days e.g. instead of 5 8 hour days, 4 10 hour days.

Question 14

What are the advantages and disadvantages of compressed hours?

Answer 14

Advantages:
- reduces commuter costs.
- ease congestion on the roads.
- reduced child care costs.
- higher staff morale with an extra day off, increased productivity.
- increased flexibility.

Disadvantages:
- longer working days.
- productivity may fall due to longer days.
- loss of production if staff have a day off.

Question 15

What are annualised hours?

Answer 15

Total number of work hours a year, degree of flexibility as to how they’re undertaken.

Question 16

What are the advantages and disadvantages of annualised hours?

Answer 16

Advantages:
- don’t need to pay overtime rates.
- allows employees flexibility.

Disadvantages:
- being “on call” can be restrictive.
- opportunity for overtime is usually lost.