Analyse two advantages to GBS of using flexible part-time employment contracts.

Mark scheme

Marking points from the official mark scheme (May/June 2024). The mark or mark type is shown in brackets.

1. [1] Definition or explanation of flexible part-time employment contracts: employees are only contracted to work for a certain number of hours each week but less than the full-time working week.
2. Possible advantages include:
3. [K1] Higher productivity due to improved employee morale.
4. [K1] Lower fixed costs.
5. [K1] Low labour turnover.
6. [K1] Less absenteeism.
7. [K1] Attract wider range of potential employees.
8. [K1] Greater commitment to and engagement with the organisation.
9. [APP] Application to GBS context, e.g., small number of employees (13), ability to react quickly to seasonal fluctuations, low inventory of extracted materials.
10. [AN] Employees feel they are in control of their work arrangements with regard to time, leading to higher productivity and lower unit costs, enabling GBS to be price competitive in the market.
11. [AN] Employees feel trusted and have some choice, leading to lower labour turnover and reduced recruitment costs.
12. [AN] Choice of work times results in less absenteeism and greater output to meet customer demands.
13. [AN] Attracts a wider range of potential employees, improving worker quality and increasing output.
14. [AN] Part-time employees can be employed at busy periods to ensure that demand is met.