Module 3: Managing Human Resources

The need for workforce flexibility

Workforce flexibility enables businesses to respond to situations more quickly. It affects a business's ability to respond if there are changes in demand for their goods or services. For example, in a tourism-related business it will be necessary to plan to have more employees during busy periods such as school holidays. There are several ways that businesses can create a flexible workforce.

Core workers vs peripheral workers

Some businesses will have core workers and peripheral workers who support the core workers. Often the peripheral workers will be part-time or temporary while the core workers are more likely be permanent staff.

Full-time versus part-time workers

There are different types of part-time contracts, e.g. working fewer hours or job-share arrangements. Part-time workers can be important to a business as they ensure that there are staff available when a full-time role is not required.

There is no set number of hours that makes someone a full-time or part-time employee but a full-time employee usually works over 35 hours per week.

Subcontracting

Subcontracting means giving responsibility for an activity to another business. For example, a number of businesses subcontract the cleaning of their buildings/offices to specialist cleaning companies. This means that the business does not bear the responsibility for employing cleaners but the cleaning company will need to be paid a fee for the work.

Pause for thought

Follow the link:

Subcontracting the cleaning of the Senedd buildings

Looking at the information. Do you think subcontracting the cleaning of Senedd buildings is a good use of taxpayers' money?

Discuss with a friend.

Zero-hours contracts

In some businesses it is necessary to have staff who can work flexibly. Zero hours contracts give individuals a contract of employment but do not state the number of working hours per week. The business will require someone to work as needed. This can be good for employees who want flexibility but is not as beneficial for workers who need to be sure of earning a specific amount per week/month.

Note: The UK Government is currently considering legislation which will introduce new rules relating to zero hours contracts.

Temporary staff

Temporary staff are people who work for a period of time, e.g. maternity leave or at certain times of the year, e.g. Christmas. One business that relies on temporary staff over the Christmas period is the Royal Mail.

Here is an example of their seasonal recruitment advertisement:

Seasonal vacancies at Royal Mail

Agency staff

There are various agencies that specialise in supplying staff for businesses as needed. You are probably familiar with supply teachers but there are also agencies that supply staff for health boards, offices, information technology jobs and industrial jobs. Agencies can be useful for businesses to fill temporary roles or find staff at short notice.

Addysg Seren is an example of an agency which supplies staff for schools:

Seren Education