- Flexible working is the development of a culture where workers are equipped to do different roles or where they work in a range of employment patterns (full-time, part-time, zero hours contracts, work from home etc)
- Developing a flexible workforce can bring many benefits to a business
- Each specific approach should be assessed as there are potential disadvantages to each
Allowing workers to work from home is just one of several methods available to businesses to develop a flexible workforce
Multi-skilling
- Multi-skilling is the process of training workers to fulfil multiple job roles within a business
- E.g. South West Airlines trains staff to handle multiple roles including check-in, baggage handling and customer service
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Multi-skilling
Advantages
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Disadvantages
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- Business utilise their workforce more efficiently which reduces labour costs and increase productivity
- It can help to improve patient outcomes in healthcare industries as workers with a broader range of skills can provide more comprehensive care
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- May require significant investment in training and development
- May not be appropriate for all job roles, especially those that require a high level of expertise
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Part-time and temporary working
- Someone who works part-time may only work two or three days a week
- Someone who works temporarily shows up for work whenever the business needs them
- E.g. Amazon employs temporary workers to handle seasonal spikes in demand such as Christmas
The Advantages and Disadvantages of the Business of Part-time & Temporary working
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Disadvantages
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- Flexible working arrangements can help businesses to attract and retain talent, especially staff who value work-life balance
- This may improve productivity, as staff can work during their most productive hours and avoid distractions
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- Flexible working arrangements can create challenges in terms of communication and collaboration (especially if staff are working remotely)
- Monitoring and managing flexible workers can be more difficult
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Outsourcing
- Apple outsources much of its manufacturing to Foxconn in China
- This allows the company to produce products at a lower cost and maintain competitive pricing
The Advantages and Disadvantages of Outsourcing
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Disadvantages
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- This may allow businesses to access specialised skills that may not be available in-house
- May reduce labour costs
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- This may lead to a loss of control over quality and delivery, especially if the outsourcing partner is based in another country
- This may create ethical concerns, especially if the partner is based in a country with lower labour standards or human rights abuses
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