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Human resourcesGeneralEmployment ContractsEvaluationHuman Resources

AQA GCSE · Question 02.6 · Human resources

It is difficult for Jameel to predict demand and there are times when he has few orders.\n\nRecommend whether Jameel should use zero-hour contracts for the new employees. Give reasons for your recommendation.

How to approach this question

1. **Start with a clear recommendation:** "Jameel should..." or "Jameel should not...". 2. **Develop your first point:** Explain a reason FOR using zero-hour contracts. Use evidence from Item B (e.g., "difficult to predict demand", "few orders", "keep the cost of wages down"). Explain the impact on JAA Toys. 3. **Develop your second point:** Explain another reason FOR using them (e.g., helps manage cash flow, avoids redundancy). 4. **Develop a counter-argument:** Explain a reason AGAINST using them (e.g., low staff motivation, hard to attract skilled staff, potential for poor quality). Link this to Jameel needing "skilled production staff" and "high-quality toys". 5. **Conclude:** Weigh up the points and justify your final recommendation. Is the financial flexibility more important than the risk of losing skilled staff?

Full Answer

A zero-hour contract is a type of employment contract where the employer is not obliged to provide any minimum working hours, and the worker is not obliged to accept any work offered.\n\n**Arguments for Jameel using them (Benefits for the business):**\n* **Flexibility:** Perfect for a business with fluctuating demand ("very busy at other times, such as before Christmas"). Jameel only pays for staff when he needs them.\n* **Cost Savings:** Helps to "keep the cost of wages down" as he doesn't pay staff during quiet weeks. This improves cash flow.\n\n**Arguments against Jameel using them (Drawbacks for the business):**\n* **Staff Motivation:** The lack of guaranteed income can demotivate staff, leading to lower productivity and quality.\n* **Staff Retention:** It may be hard to attract and keep the "skilled production staff" he needs, as they may seek more secure employment elsewhere.\n* **Availability:** Staff on zero-hour contracts may not be available when he needs them if they have found work elsewhere.\n\nA good answer will balance the need for financial flexibility against the need for a skilled, motivated workforce to maintain the USP of high quality.

Common mistakes

✗ Only considering the benefits for Jameel and ignoring the drawbacks for the employees (and the knock-on effect this has on the business).\n✗ Not using the specific quotes and context from Item B to support the argument.\n✗ Not making a final, justified recommendation.

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