Hard9 marksExtended Response
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.
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.
Practice the full AQA GCSE Business Paper 1
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