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Bailey manages a guitar store that operates from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday - HSC - SSCE Business Studies - Question 24 - 2010 - Paper 1
Question 24
Bailey manages a guitar store that operates from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday. The staff provide excellent customer service. Bailey would like to trial opening th... show full transcript
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Bailey manages a guitar store that operates from 9 am to 5 pm, Monday to Friday - HSC - SSCE Business Studies - Question 24 - 2010 - Paper 1
Step 1
Describe TWO key influences on employment relations that might have led Bailey to consider the change to operating hours.
Answer
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Employee Preferences: Understanding employee preferences for flexible working hours can significantly influence operational decisions. Employees may benefit from extended hours if they lead to better work-life balance or personal circumstances. This consideration ensures the store retains its skilled workforce and promotes job satisfaction.
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Customer Demand: Customer preferences for extended shopping hours can directly impact business revenue. If customers express a desire to shop beyond the current hours, it necessitates a review of operating patterns to enhance customer satisfaction and potentially increase sales.
Step 2
Evaluate TWO types of employment contract that would allow for the change to operating hours.
Answer
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Part-Time Contracts: These contracts can provide flexibility in scheduling, allowing Bailey to staff the store during extended hours with fewer hours assigned to each employee. This strategy can cater to employees who prefer shorter shifts while accommodating the store's operational needs. However, this may lead to challenges in managing consistent staffing levels across shifts, possibly affecting customer service during peak hours.
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Temporary or Casual Contracts: Utilizing temporary or casual contracts offers the flexibility to scale the workforce up or down based on demand. This allows Bailey to hire extra staff specifically for extended hours without the commitment of permanent contracts. However, reliance on casual staff may affect overall customer service quality as these employees may have less familiarity with the store's operations and policies.