Working practices

Work practices – how we work

The work environment

Workplace legislation

By the end of this lesson you should be able to:

Identify various working practices

Discuss advantages and disadvantages of flexible working practices

Apply your knowledge to exam questions

In the past there was either full- or part-time permanent employment.

Today there is much more flexibility.

Various hours - full, part and flexi-time, shiftwork, job share.

Mode - home, office, teleworking, hotdesking.

Terms of contract - permanent, temporary, fixed-term or casual.

Technology – allows various methods of communication – internet, email, mobile.

Social trends – equal employment rights for women and men, legislation.

Competition – to retain the best workers the organisation has to offer flexibility.

Outsourcing – experts complete specialist tasks, eg web designers.Organisation concentrates on core tasks

Career breaks – allow employees to take a break whilst the organisation retains their skills and experience.University – further skills

Flexible working practices can better enable the organisation to employ a variety of skills

Flexible working practices can better enable the organisation to retain valuable employees

Savings in terms of space

Outsourcing – cost effective

Greater choice to fit work-life balance

During recession – may lead to job loss if on temporary or casual contract