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Assess the likely value of having a flexible workforce for a business, such as Nestlé. - Edexcel - A-Level Business - Question 1 - 2018 - Paper 3
Question 1
Assess the likely value of having a flexible workforce for a business, such as Nestlé.
Worked Solution & Example Answer:Assess the likely value of having a flexible workforce for a business, such as Nestlé. - Edexcel - A-Level Business - Question 1 - 2018 - Paper 3
Step 1
Value of having flexible working:
Answer
Flexible working offers significant advantages for Nestlé by enhancing staff deployment flexibility. This can enable employees to vary their work hours and conditions, which can positively influence staff retention and recruitment efforts.
For instance, finance staff could have the option to work from home, allowing them to better manage personal commitments while still contributing to Nestlé's accounts. This flexibility might lead to increased productivity as they may avoid long commutes.
Moreover, roles like those in different departments away from production can be adapted to meet the fluctuating demands of the chocolate market, ensuring that staffing aligns appropriately with market changes.
Step 2
Potential benefits for marketing staff:
Answer
Marketing staff stationed at Gatwick HQ could experience higher motivation if allowed to bring personal pets, such as dogs, to work. This could enhance their job satisfaction, potentially increasing productivity due to a more enjoyable work environment.
Step 3
Counter-balancing factors:
Answer
However, there are limitations to consider. For instance, production personnel may not have the ability to work from home due to the hands-on nature of their roles, which require specific machinery and processes. This creates a need for physical presence on-site, thus limiting flexibility for these positions.
Additionally, staff without pets may feel resentment towards those allowed to bring their dogs, which could negatively impact workplace relations and overall team dynamics. Furthermore, the presence of pets might lead to distractions that could detract from productivity.
Step 4
Possible overall judgment:
Answer
Ultimately, while flexible working arrangements can benefit various sectors of the business, the success of such an approach largely depends on the specific job roles and operational requirements. For production roles, the practicalities involved in switching between tasks and maintaining output might restrict flexibility, indicating that a one-size-fits-all solution may not be feasible.