- Work-from-home (telecommuting) allows employees to perform office work from home using computers and communication technology.
- It helps organisations attract and retain employees, especially working parents, by providing flexibility.
- It saves travel time and costs, reduces absenteeism and turnover, and can increase productivity.
- However, it reduces regular interaction among employees, which may affect creativity and teamwork.
- It requires proper equipment and performance standards, and unequal access may create feelings of discrimination.
Key Points
Key Points: Permanent Part Time
- Permanent part-time employment means employees work regularly for fewer hours than full-time staff.
- It helps employers adjust workforce size according to seasonal or business needs and reduces operating costs.
- Employees benefit by earning additional income and maintaining better work-life balance.
- However, part-time employees may show less commitment and loyalty to the organisation.
- They may not receive full employment benefits like provident fund, gratuity, and leave facilities.
Key Points: Virtual Teams
- A virtual team consists of employees working in different locations but connected through information and communication technology.
- It helps organisations share knowledge, save travel costs, and hire talented people from anywhere.
- Virtual teams provide flexibility, autonomy, and better work–life balance to employees.
- Decision-making and information sharing can be more objective and quick in global operations.
- Limitations include lack of face-to-face interaction, cultural and time zone differences, and difficulty in performance monitoring.
Key Points: Flexible Hours
- Flexible hours (flexitime) allow employees to choose their working hours, except during a fixed core period.
- All employees must be present during the common core hours, but they can select the remaining hours as per their convenience.
- Flexitime reduces absenteeism, employee turnover, and improves morale and motivation.
- It increases productivity and makes recruitment easier as employees value work-life balance.
- However, it is not suitable where all employees must work together, and it may increase operating costs and planning difficulties.
Key Points: Retainership
- Retainership means hiring an outside expert for a specific task or fixed time period.
- Companies retain management consultants for strategies, restructuring, mergers, and revival plans.
- Merchant bankers are retained for advice on IPO size, price, and timing.
- Law firms are engaged to represent companies in legal matters.
- Audit firms are retained to conduct statutory audits and prepare annual reports.
Key Points: Work from Home
Key Points: Self-managing Teams
- A self-managed team is a small group (5–15 members) of trained and self-motivated employees performing interdependent tasks.
- Team members share common goals and work with mutual trust, cooperation, and open communication.
- They manage their own work, including scheduling, task allocation, training, and quality control.
- Decisions are taken collectively, and the team is responsible for overall performance.
- Members are multi-skilled, and performance appraisal and pay are often linked to team performance.
Important Questions [4]
- In the recent past, new trends have emerged at workplaces. With reference to this statement, explain any two emerging trends in human resources.
- Sneha works in a private company and has to report to office. According to the company's policy, she is allowed to report to office as per her convenience.
- Briefly explain the concept of permanent part time as an emerging trend in Human Resources.
- Give the expanded form of SMTs.
