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IGCSEBusinessCambridge (CIE)Revision Notes2. People in Business2.2 Organisation & ManagementFlexible Working

Syllabus Edition

First teaching 2025

First exams 2027

Flexible Working (Cambridge (CIE) IGCSE Business): Revision Note

Exam code: 0450, 0986 & 0264, 0774

Lisa Eades

Written by: Lisa Eades

Reviewed by: Steve Vorster

Updated on

Introduction to flexible working

  • Working arrangements have changed significantly in recent years

    • Many UK workers have some say in where and when they carry out their work

      • Home working has become increasingly popular since the Covid-19 pandemic, with around 40% of workers enjoying some ability to work from home

      • Around 60% of workers have some flexibility in how there hours of work are arranged, including 4-day working weeks and flexitime

    • Whilst most workers are employed on permanent contracts, employers frequently make use of a range of flexible arrangements

      • In 2023, more than 1 million UK workers were employed on zero hours contracts

      • A further 900,000 workers were employed indirectly through agencies

Home working

  • Advances in communications technology have enabled a larger proportion of workers than ever before to work from home

    • Employees use tools such as email, instant messaging, collaborative software, scheduling apps and videoconferencing to carry out work remotely

Advantages and disadvantages of home working

Advantages

Disadvantages

For the business

  • Smaller or fewer premises may be required, reducing costs

  • High-quality workers may be attracted from a wide geographical area

  • Workers may be more productive if they work in isolation, away from distractions

  • The cost of equipping workers with technology and other necessities to work remotely may be significant

  • There may be less opportunity for collaboration between workers, reducing innovation

  • Careful monitoring will be required to ensure remote workers remain focused on tasks

For the employee

  • Commuting costs, such as train fares, are eliminated

  • Stress reduced as a result of not having to travel to work

  • Some flexibility may be possible, allowing workers to manage other commitments

  • Staff may feel isolated from colleagues

  • Household costs such as electricity and heating may increase

  • A healthy division between work and home life may be difficult to manage

Flexible hours

  • Flexible hours are a way of working that gives employees more control over when they work

  • Instead of working the same set hours every day, staff may have more choice in how they complete their weekly hours

Types of flexible hours

1. Flexitime

  • Employees can arrange their working hours around their personal needs and responsibilities

  • There are usually some core hours when they must be at work (e.g. 10am–2pm), and they can choose when to complete the rest of their hours (e.g. start early or finish late)

    • E.g. A parent may choose to start at 7am and finish by 3pm to pick up their children from school

2. Compressed Working Weeks

  • Employees work the same total number of hours, but over fewer days

  • For example, someone may work four longer days instead of five shorter ones and take Fridays off

Advantages and disadvantages of flexible hours

Advantages

Disadvantages

For the business

  • Increases employee motivation and productivity as workers feel trusted

  • Can reduce absenteeism, lateness, and staff turnover

  • May attract a wider range of skilled applicants

  • Harder to organise meetings and teamwork if people are working different hours

  • More difficult to monitor staff and ensure tasks are completed on time

  • May not be suitable for all types of jobs, such as customer service roles

For the employee

  • Helps balance work with personal life, such as childcare or studying

  • Reduces stress and improves job satisfaction

  • Gives more control over working schedule and daily routine

  • May feel isolated if not working at the same time as others

  • Can be harder to separate work time and personal time

  • Some employees may struggle to stay motivated without fixed hours

Full-time and part-time working

  • A full-time contract of employment requires an employee to work the total number of hours considered by the company to be full-time in a week

  • Full-time employees work more hours in a company than part-time employees

    • In the UK, full-time employees are classified as those who work 35 hours a week or more

    • At Save My Exams, a full-time employee works 40 hours each week

  • Employees who work part-time may only work two or three days a week

    • Part-time employment may be more flexible and can be adjusted subject to employee availability and employer requirements

      • Part-time employees at the US company Costco work between 24 and 40 hours per week

  • The choice between full-time and part-time contracts depends on the specific needs of both employers and employees

    • Employers often value the commitment of full-time staff but also the flexibility of part-time workers

    • Employees may prioritise a stable income or a good work-life balance

Benefits of full-time and part-time employment contracts

Contract

Benefits for employers

Benefits for employees

Full-time

  • Full-time employees are typically more committed and invested in the business's success

  • Employers can rely on full-time staff to work a standard number of hours per week

  • Scheduling and coordinating work among full-time employees is straightforward

  • Full-time employment provides a steady income and financial stability

  • Full-time employees often receive benefits like pension plans and paid time off

  • Full-time employees often have more opportunities for career development

Part-time

  • Part-time employees allow for flexibility in staffing, as part-time hours can be changed according to business needs

  • Part-time employees often cost less in terms of wages and benefits

  • Part-time workers are often a good source of candidates for internal recruitment

  • Part-time work offers more flexibility and work-life balance

  • It is an excellent option for students, parents, or those with other commitments

  • Employees can hold multiple part-time jobs to increase their income and experience

Examiner Tips and Tricks

Don’t just describe flexible working – focus on its advantages and disadvantages for both employers and employees, as examiners expect you to consider both perspectives

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    Author
    Reviewer
    Lisa Eades

    Author: Lisa Eades

    Expertise: Business Content Creator

    Lisa has taught A Level, GCSE, BTEC and IBDP Business for over 20 years and is a senior Examiner for Edexcel. Lisa has been a successful Head of Department in Kent and has offered private Business tuition to students across the UK. Lisa loves to create imaginative and accessible resources which engage learners and build their passion for the subject.

    Steve Vorster

    Reviewer: Steve Vorster

    Expertise: Economics & Business Subject Lead

    Steve has taught A Level, GCSE, IGCSE Business and Economics - as well as IBDP Economics and Business Management. He is an IBDP Examiner and IGCSE textbook author. His students regularly achieve 90-100% in their final exams. Steve has been the Assistant Head of Sixth Form for a school in Devon, and Head of Economics at the world's largest International school in Singapore. He loves to create resources which speed up student learning and are easily accessible by all.